Seniors march toward variety of futures

OXFORD HILLS — That time of year is here again – the time to say goodbye to graduating seniors.

Graduates have been in Oxford Hills for 13 years and will now be taking their own paths. Some have their plans perfectly set out, while others are unsure of what their futures hold.

Yet, they are all going out into the world with the experience that Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School (OHCHS) has bestowed upon them.

Many of these graduates will be attending Maine schools such as the University of Southern Maine, University of Maine at Farmington, University of Maine at Orono and Central Maine Community College.

Graduate Ian Vail is attending USM for music education.

“I chose USM because they have the best music program in the state,” says Vail. For all four years of high school, Ian has been involved with the OHCHS music department, which served as his inspiration to be in music education.

Another student, Chris Williams, will be attending UMO for pre-pharmacy. “OHCHS offered science and math classes that helped me recognize my strengths and interests,” says Williams.

Senior Dylan Hadley is going to UMF, majoring in secondary education with a minor in history.

“I’ve loved history my entire [life]. It’s always been my favorite class,” says Hadley. “All of my history teachers for all four years have been great and really inspired me.”

For these students, and many more, OHCHS has been a compass, directing them on their individual pathways.

However, this inspiration is not only found in standard classes – but in the many tech classes that are also offered at OHCHS.

Avery Douglas is going to CMCC for law enforcement and eventually wants to attend the police academy. His inspiration came from his family’s involvement in law enforcement, and the Law Enforcement tech class at OHCHS.

While his experience at OHCHS has had its “ups and downs,” it has, overall, “helped me grow up a lot,” says Douglas.

Graduate Autumn Potter will be attending CMCC for graphic design in the fall. This decision was greatly influenced by her three years spent in the graphic tech classes.

“I want to be a graphic designer. It’s my passion – and OHCHS has given me what I need to pursue a career in graphic design,” says Potter.

Elias Gabrielson plans to take some time off from school to be a ski instructor and work at a film internship. His love for film was strengthened by the Advanced Communications tech class. He already knew that he liked technology before taking the class, but afterward, he was given a career path.

Other graduates are also taking time off from school to discover in what direction they wish their lives to go.

Daniel Costanzi is taking a year off to spend in Japan. He will live with a host family and work for them, while taking intensive Japanese language courses. Costanzi’s trip to Japan in the summer between his sophomore and junior year, sparked his interest in Japan.

In the fall of 2013, he will attend University of Massachusetts Amherst, helping him toward his goal of becoming a diplomat or interpreter.

Senior Forrest Todd is also taking a year off. He plans to work odd jobs, travel the country, ski out west, and come back to OHCHS to help the girls' nordic ski team.

OHCHS has helped him discover that “You can do whatever you want. It doesn’t have to be what other people tell you to do. You also don’t have to do what you are great at, you can do what you choose.”

Some seniors have plans for a military future. Howard Trudeau is joining the military and will remain in the military until the job market gets better, or if he ends up enjoying it. OHCHS helped him, “by showing me all the options I could have,” says Trudeau.

Graduate Audreyanna Komulainen has enlisted in the Navy. “I’ve always wanted to since I was a kid,” says Komulainen, who was greatly influenced by family military traditions. “I’m just gonna follow my dreams no matter what.”

Photo:

MARCHING OFF — Class Marshalls Benin Laliberte and Lindsey Redgate lead the Class of 2012 into the OHCHS gym for the last time for their Senior Assembly.