By Stephanie Grinnell
Staff Writer
    “With nothing to lose, we have raced through the past 13 years,” Scarborough High School Class President Nicole Chaloux-Pinette said. “And we are dramatically changed by it.”
    Chaloux-Pinette welcomed parents, family and staff to Scarborough High School’s graduation Sunday at Merrill Auditorium in Portland. She shared lessons learned in high school, including insight that “boyfriends and girlfriends will come and go, but there are plenty of fish in the sea; ‘Mono’ is very contagious; ‘Facebook’ can cause a whole lot of drama and being angry is not worth the energy.”
    Her advice was followed by more insights as well as reminiscing from fellow graduates and staff.
    Principal Patricia Conant encouraged the class of 220 graduates to “continue to strive to meet your personal goals.”
    Co-Valedictorian Alexandra Laniewski summed up her high school years with one word: spirit. She highlighted three types of spirit: emotional, hopes and dreams and school spirit.
    “Learning to accept that everything in life is not perfect is the key,” Laniewski said, recommending her fellow graduates not obsess about what other people think, look for the best in everybody and never give up. “High school is where we found out nothing is impossible.”
    Laniewski said she dreamed of owning a pink Jeep when she was younger and said her father promised to purchase one if she was valedictorian of her high school class.
    “I took the liberty of ordering one, Dad,” she said, drawing laughter from the crowd. “It will be here in a week.”
    Laniewski said the school spirit at SHS has allowed her to “dream big.” She offered her “signature slow clap” to the graduates and was joined by the audience.
    “Go catch those dreams and have a little fun along the way,” she said.
    Co-Valedictorian Saerim Park warned her parents, seated in the audience, they would be embarrassed for the duration of her speech.
    “We are finally, finally, finally…almost done,” she said. “We’ve been almost done for a month now. I am truly relieved to finally be here today.”
    She joked the seniors had practiced marching to “Pomp and Circumstance” so many times that they “would never be able to walk like normal people again.”
    Park recalled construction at SHS as well as changes to cafeteria selections from “white bread and Tropicana to whole grains and Vitamin Water” during her four years.
    “It’s been fun but it’s also been confusing, uncomfortable, embarrassing, always awkward and sometimes sketchy. But exhilarating,” she said. “I am honored to be up here with all of you.”
    Throughout her high school career, Park said she watched news reports citing the next generation will be responsible for future decisions. She said she thought about the next generation and came to a conclusion.
    “The future parents and teachers and policy makers are us — it was a scary thought and it made me lose faith in humanity,” she said with a smile. “But I don’t worry so much anymore. I know that somehow we’re going to be OK.”
    She closed with a final piece of advice to her classmates.
    “Knock yourselves out, but stay classy,” Park said.
    The graduates were also addressed by English teacher Eric Klein before being presented with their diplomas.