Graduates of Monmouth Academy toss their mortarboards into the air as part of Sunday’s graduation ceremony. Forty-four students received diplomas. Liz Ross photo

MONMOUTH — Forty-four students graduated Sunday from Monmouth Academy.

The ceremony, held at the school’s gymnasium, included speeches from the top four students in the senior class.

The speakers shared their thoughts on topics that included spending too much time on cellphones instead of living, the importance of connecting with friends and family and past and present views on aliens.

“Like it or not, our parents were right: We don’t know everything,” said Holly Hunt, valedictorian of the class of 2023.

About 600 people attended the ceremony honoring Monmouth Academy’s 219th graduating class, according to math teacher Liz Ross.

The high school is part of Hallowell-based Regional School Unit 2. The district also includes Hall-Dale High School, which presented diplomas Sunday to 56 graduates.