No matter how small the class, Southport Central school knows each student is important.

The Southport Town Hall was packed the morning of Monday, June 16 as the community came out to support the graduating class of sixth graders and the other students of Southport Central School.

Three sixth graders were awarded with their diplomas and graduation awards. Graduates were Julius Bennett (excellence in writing award), Clarence Burnham (overall persistence and perseverance award), and Ryan Hughes (excellence in math award).

Teacher Mr. Gallagher read essays written by each of the graduates. Hughes wrote about amusing experiences, such as when he fell down the stairs and managed to take everything on the wall with him. Bennett wrote about plastic lizards that got stuck on the ceiling at school, and stayed there for weeks. Burnham wrote about the class trip to New York City, especially the size of the rats and the “amazing” candy store they visited.

Principal Marcelle Durost praised each of the graduates as she handed out the Principal’s Awards. Clarence Burnham received the “outstanding citizenship” award, Ryan Hughes the “academic excellent” award, and Julius Bennett the “perseverance and achievement” award.

School secretary Eileen Higgins (and her daughter Julie) presented a video highlighting the school year, including the sixth grade trip to New York City, and especially experiences with Ramona Gaudette, who is retiring this year after 57 years in Southport Central's cafeteria.

The students ended the ceremonies by singing “Bye Bye Love” by the Everly Brothers in honor of Gaudette, who is well known to like “old timey music.”

Students gave Gaudette a school apron, signed by each of them, and the school staff gave her an engraved rocking chair, which she sat in and tapped her toes to the beat as she wiped away tears.

Gaudette spoke to the graduates and the audience about her experiences at Southport Central, and how much the school has meant to her. She recalled funny sayings she had with different students and the joy she felt caring for students. She received a standing ovation.

Gaudette also received recognition from the Maine State Legislature, delivered by Sen. Chris Johnson, for her 57 years of service.

Students in all classes were recognized with awards during the ceremony.

Mrs. Reed and Ms. Tawney gave out the kindergarten and first grade awards, which were: Kindergartners Lilly Burnham in reading, Harrison Hinckley in math, Alex Heil in science, and Ella Watts in reading; and first graders Maeve Cullina in math and Ronan Cullina in creative writing.

Principal Durost and Ms. Tawney handed oout the second and third grade awards, which were: Second graders Azalea Bennett in reading and writing, Finn Harkins in math, Penda Jones in writing, Robert Shaw in math, and Brian Sprague in reading; and third graders Teal Beavis in reading and Rafael Goldhirsch in science.

Mr. Gallagher and Mrs. Larson recognized the fourth and fifth graders, which were: fourth grader Journey Bennett in math, and fifth graders Ella Beauregard in leadership, Isabel Harkins in language arts, Madison Hughes in coachability in all academics, Jamie LaBrecque as most improved writer, Bailey Maguire in reading achievement and character, and Nathan Rideout in engineering and science.

Higgins awarded several students who had achieved in her computer keyboarding class, including Azalea Bennett, Teal Beavis, Isabel Harkins, Journey Bennett, Nathan Rideout and Jamie LaBrecque.

Related:

End of an era

Southport honors Ramona Gaudette