Isabelle Grenier borrowed the words of an English mathematician in addressing her classmates.
She had found the quote by Edwin Elliot in her bedroom and felt personally inspired by it: “By being yourself, you put something wonderful in the world that wasn’t there before.”
So, Grenier, the valedictorian of Coe-Brown Northwood Academy’s class of 2026, imparted those words of motivation as she and her fellow graduates prepared to toss up their caps and step into the adult world. She urged them to take that lesson to heart.
“We forget that our voices, our perspectives and our personalities are what make us so valuable. I hope that as we are leaving each other, you’ve all realized what you are really capable of,” she said.
Coe-Brown’s graduating class filed into the soccer field to commemorate their years of determination, friendship and accomplishment on Wednesday evening.
As the plastic seats filled with red gowns, families and friends unfolded lawn chairs and crowded around the edges of the aisle, and Tyler Fuller made sure that they received the thanks they deserved.
Fuller, the class president, kicked off the ceremony congratulating his fellow classmates and extending gratitude to the people who helped them throughout their high school years.
“Thank you for being there during not only the lowest moments, but the highest moments, too,” he said.
Over the years, support from loved ones has taken various forms: rides to school, encouragement in pursuing extracurriculars and tokens of advice that helped them persevere.
One wise word gave Olivia Zadakis the perspective she needed in running track, which she passed along in a farewell message to her class: Treat races like a roller coaster, relish every moment.
Not only did that advice change her outlook on races but it altered how she viewed life.
“Looking forward, I hope every one of us can enjoy both the exhilaration of the downhill runs, while also finding value in the challenge of the uphill ones, too,” she said.
Headmaster David Smith took the time to recognize each student and their future plans, from enrolling in college to enlisting in the army or directly entering the workforce. Students with stellar attendance and academic records received awards and scholarships, and the graduates then crossed the stage one by one to receive their diplomas.
Following the ceremony, the graduates filed out of the field to the front of Smith Hall and tossed their caps to the sound of their families’ applause.
Friends and family flooded the circle of graduates, rushing to find their own.
Students hung back around the flag pole, soaking in the moment. Grace Bilodeau stood with a smile plastered on her face. Nearby, Natalie George and Brianne Peters huddled together, taking photos and laughing in that spot for the last time.
“It’s overwhelming, but in good way,” Peters said.
Smith, who had carefully turned each student’s tassel as they crossed the stage, watched as all his students met with their families to take pictures. He beamed with pride.
“A lot of great students, but more importantly good people,” he said.
