SALEM TOWNSHIP — Graduates at Mt. Abram High School were urged Friday night to make memories and “go out and smell the roses” as often as possible.

 On Friday evening, Salutatorian Amanda Richards and 75 other seniors cheered frequently and enthusiastically for the memories they’d created over the last four years.

“Mt. Abram wouldn’t have been the same without mini-rock concerts, courtesy of the Mannings, dodge ball contests, karaoke, Mountain Time parties, Kevin’s break dancing, the D3 crew’s excessive basketball games, Trevor’s many ‘metal’ witticisms, or annual trips to Saddleback,” she said. “The rest of our days from here on out, need special moments like this as well, so make time for them.”

 Valedictorian Forrest Collins suggested a more considered approach to life after high school.

 “We acquired people skills, independence, teamwork, honesty and integrity from the influential people in our lives,” he said. “As we embark on our journeys, we must use these strengths to become productive members of society. We can use the skills to benefit our communities and give back wherever we end up.”

 Collins, son of Crystal and Tom Knapp, will attend Clarkson University in New York in the fall. Richards, daughter of Rand and Cindy Richards, will attend the University of Maine at Orono.

Twelve of the Mt. Abram graduating seniors maintained a grade average of 95 or above for four years, and one student maintained a 93-94 grade all four years.

State Rep. Thomas Saviello presented a high school diploma to Milton Simmons, 91, of Kingfield, a U.S. Army veteran of WW II, who was drafted before he finished high school. He served in Germany and received a Bronze Star Medal.

Superintendent Quenten Clark said this is the last class that started taking music lessons from Beatrice Milewski, who lost her battle with cancer four years ago.

 “Bea’s goal in 2001, when she was hired as a music instructor, was to start a band and take them to play onstage at Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla.,” Saviello said. “In September 2006 her dream came true, and her music program is still going strong.”

 A total of 212 scholarships totaling $238,075, went to seniors planning to continue their education in the fall.