Lesley Carter Blethen, guest speaker at Sunday's Alumni Banquet, focused her speech on falling back on the foundation she gained growing up in the Boothbay region.

She told the Boothbay Region High School Class of 2019 that through her life she has found the foundation of gaining such characteristics as love, happiness, community, toughness and hope has helped guide her through her life's journey.

The 1985 graduate said her foundation got her through her stint in the U.S. Army and in her early days of working for the postal service. She credited her mother for instilling and fostering her foundation.

A volunteer and coach for several years, Blethen urged the soon-to-be graduates to surround themselves with good people, don't be afraid to ask help through life, and to recognize and fall back on your foundation when it is needed.

The banquet, held once again at Boothbay Region Elementary School, drew 35 BRHS seniors, many of their parents and a few other alumni, including Lynnette Page and Robert Buck, who were recognized by master of ceremonies and Alumni Association president Lynn Martin for celebrating 75 years as graduates of Boothbay Harbor High School, the Class of 1944.

Martin also asked for a moment of silence for longtime banquet attendee Lucille Machon, who died in March at the age of 102. Machon, who attended last year's banquet, was the sole survivor of the class of 1934 and was the oldest alumni until her death.

After the seniors were seated, Martin welcomed everyone, the Rev. Maria Hoecker gave the invocation, then students were invited to first enjoy the food, prepared once again by Lisa Orne Hallinan and ably assisted by Kristine Hepburn. Pulled pork, a pasta dish, chicken salad, tossed salad, cole slaw, pickles and rolls were offered. Parents supplied trays of dessert.

After Blethen spoke, BRHS Principal Dan Welch congratulated the class, telling them they have met the challenge and that they are ready for the next part of their lives.

He urged them to have a good life as “future leaders of America.”

Welch quoted one of his heroes, Jim Valvano, the late coach of the North Carolina State men’s basketball team which upset the University of Houston in 1983.

"He gave one of the greatest speeches ever on the ESPY Awards," said Welch, who urged the seniors to do what Valvano said: "There are three things we all should do every day. Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think. You should spend some time in thought. Number three is, you should have your emotions moved to tears — could be happiness or joy. But think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that’s a full day. That’s a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you’re going to have something special."

Welch concluded with the words Valvano, who was dying of cancer, spoke on that night of the ESPYs, “Don't give up, don't ever give up.”

After the roll call of classes, Martin and Blethen then drew the 50/50 raffle, won by Connie Machon who gave her winnings back to the association.

Each senior received a raffle ticket and four won prizes, a white T-shirt with the wording, “I Graduated. Now I'm like smart and stuff.”

Martin concluded the talks by reading excerpts from a book a friend of her's, Hamilton Brower, had written, entitled, "Magnificent Words to Live By," featuring words from every letter of the alphabet. Martin chose to feature “ambition” and “kindness” to inspire the graduates.