CARIBOU, Maine — June 9, 2024 — Caribou High School graduates throw confetti in the air after receiving their diplomas. (Melissa Lizotte | Aroostook Republican)
CARIBOU, Maine – Ninety-six students received their diplomas as part of Caribou High School’s Class of 2024 graduation Sunday.
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Graduates, school staff and family members packed into the gymnasium, cheering for the classmates as they walked across the stage and posed for photos.
But before their big moments, the class sat together one last time and listened to the advice of a peer and those who know what it’s like to be in their shoes.
Valedictorian Claire Ouellette thanked her classmates, their teachers, administrators and family members for supporting the class throughout their four years. Along the way, she said, they have all learned important lessons beyond academics.
Ouellette recalled how her class won the school’s winter carnival tug-of-war competition three years in a row. That was one of many times, she said, when it seemed like they were just having fun, but were actually gaining valuable skills.
“Standing together on one side of a rope, we worked together to achieve a common goal. We learned how to work hard, collaborate and do everything with integrity,” Ouellette said. “I encourage you to make wherever you end up a better place.”
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Caribou High Class of 1991 graduate and U.S. Attorney General for the State of Maine Darcie McElwee served as the ceremony’s keynote speaker.
CARIBOU, Maine — June 9, 2024 — U.S. District Attorney for Maine Darcie McElwee and Caribou High 1991 graduate shares advice with the Class of 2024 Sunday. (Melissa Lizotte | Aroostook Republican)
McElwee has spent her entire career as a prosecutor, first, as an assistant district attorney in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties, then as an assistant U.S. district attorney in Portland. The U.S. Senate confirmed her as the U.S. District Attorney for Maine in 2021.
Coming home to Caribou High brought back many memories for McElwee.
On the gym wall near the entrance hung the school anthem that she and classmates created. She brought a copy of her 1991 yearbook, in which the class voted Mel Gibson and Tom Cruise as their favorite actors, Julia Roberts as their top actress, “Saturday Night Live” their favorite TV show and “You Can’t Touch This” by M.C. Hammer their top song.
Popular culture and the world at large has changed since 1991 but what hasn’t changed are the “Viking values” that McElwee believes have shaped her and countless generations of Caribou graduates.
“My experiences here introduced me to the values of work ethic, character and the support of community,” McElwee said.
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When McElwee asked her children what advice she should give to the class, her son said, “Care less about the approval of others.” Her daughter said, “Be serious but don’t forget to have fun.”
McElwee also offered simple but important advice that she said any student can take with them.
“Work hard and be nice to people,” McElwee said.
RSU 39 Superintendent Jane McCall had a unique perspective to bring to this year’s graduation.
Fourteen years ago, as principal of Hilltop Elementary School, she watched many of the graduates walk through the doors on their first day of preschool.
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“On that day, your families struggled to let go of your hands,” McCall said. “Today, I see those families filled with pride and with equally mixed emotions.”
Only a decade later, that same class entered high school in 2020, as the pandemic enforced safety mandates that no other students had experienced. They often dealt with disruptions to school and technologies that made learning different.
But the classmates still gained friendships and wisdom that would better prepare them for life ahead, McCall said.
“You continued to learn and adapt despite the obstacles and be prepared for turbulent times,” McCall said. “Some of you will stay down the same path until you retire, others will travel several paths. Whatever you choose, it will be the right path for you.”
The graduation ceremony featured the high school chorus, who sang “I Am Still Your Dreamer” by Pinkzebra, and the high school band, who performed the national anthem and “Amazing Grace.”
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine Democrat Graham Platner has picked up another high-profile endorsement in his bid to flip a key Senate seat blue, marking another sign of the oyster farmer and combat veteran’s political resiliency even as he continues to face controversy throughout his campaign.
Arizona Democrat Ruben Gallego announced Monday that he was backing Platner, saying that the first-time candidate “reflects the grit and independence that defines Maine.”
“Graham Platner is the kind of fighter Maine hasn’t seen in a long time, someone who tells you exactly what he thinks, doesn’t owe anything to the special interests, and wakes up every day thinking about working families,” said Gallego, who won a Senate seat in Arizona in 2024 by more than 2 points while Trump carried the state by nearly 6 points.
Platner has previously been endorsed by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, and New Mexico Sen. Martin Heinrich, a Democrat.
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However, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has endorsed Platner’s main opponent, Maine Gov. Janet Mills.
Both Platner, 41, and Mills, 78, are hoping to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins, 73, a five-term incumbent who announced last month that she was running for another term. A victory in Maine is crucial for Democrats’ efforts to take back control of the Senate. The Democratic Party needs to net four seats to retake the Senate majority, and they are aiming to do that in Maine, North Carolina, Alaska and Ohio.
READ MORE: Maine’s Graham Platner thinks voters will overlook his past to support a new type of candidate
Platner has gained traction with his anti-establishment image and economic equality message. He’s pressed forward despite controversies over old social media posts and a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol, which he recently had covered up.
Gallego is among the Democrats named as possible 2028 presidential contenders. Last fall, he stumped in New Jersey, Virginia and Florida, where he campaigned for Democrats who went on to win their elections.
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“I have an immense amount of respect for him and I’m looking forward to joining him as a fellow Marine and combat infantryman in the U.S. Senate,” Platner said in a statement.
Kruesi reported from Providence, Rhode Island.
A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy.
On March 2, Spurwink will join community partners for a special viewing of Building Hope: Ending Homelessness in Maine at the University of Southern Maine’s McGoldrick Hall.
Directed by Richard Kane and produced by Melody Lewis-Kane, the film shines a compassionate light on the realities of Maine’s homelessness crisis. Through deeply personal stories, Building Hope explores the challenges faced by unhoused individuals and families, while highlighting the hope that emerges when communities come together to create solutions. It’s been praised for its honesty, dignity, and inspiring message: change is possible when we work together.
Following the screening, a panel of local leaders and advocates will discuss the film and the ongoing effort in Maine to end homelessness. Panelists will include Katherine Rodney, Director of Spurwink’s Living Room Crisis Center; Cullen Ryan, Chief Strategic Officer at 3Rivers; Donna Wampole, Assistant Professor of Social Work at USM; and Preble Street staff. Catherine Ryder, Spurwink’s Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives, will bring her expertise in trauma-informed care and community collaboration to the panel as the moderator.
Keon Johnson had 21 points and 10 rebounds as the Maine Celtics defeated the Windy City Bulls 122-87 in an NBA G League game on Sunday afternoon at the Portland Expo.
Hason Ward scored 16 points and Jalen Bridges 14 for Maine (13-15), which had seven players score in double digits. Bridges drained four 3-pointers for the Celtics, who shot 13 for 28 (46.4%) from beyond the arc.
Max Shulga dished out 11 assists and scored nine points.
Maine led 33-18 after one quarter 72-36 at halftime.
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Keyshawn Bryant scored a game-high 25 points for Windy City (12-12).
