DIXFIELD — Humility. Self-control. Integrity. Courtesy. Discipline. Perseverance.

These are the six words that Dirigo High School senior Kayla Provencher told her 74 fellow classmates to live by Friday evening as they prepared to graduate.

She was taught the same lesson by her karate sensei, friend and father-figure, Richard Pelletier, 11 years earlier, she said. Pelletier ran a karate dojo in Lewiston until he passed away March 31 after a long struggle with brain cancer.

“His wisdom and outlook on life inspired me,” Provencher said. “He motivated me to do my best in karate, in school and in life by teaching me how to be humble in what I do, to control my emotions in tough situations, to do my best in everything I try, to treat others how I would like to be treated, to keep good habits, and to keep going and never give up.”

It was this last piece of advice, to keep going and never give up, that Provencher said was “the most important to remember.”

“It’s what he had to tell himself whenever he got sick,” Provencher said, choking up. “It’s what he’d tell a student who was struggling in school. This man gave these lessons and memories to so many people, and he will certainly never be forgotten.”

Provencher ended her speech by reiterating, “Remember those six words: humility, self-control, integrity, courtesy, discipline and perseverance, and to always keep going and never give up.”

The theme of perseverance was common throughout the graduation ceremony.

Valedictorian Ryanne Dailey said, “I am confident that if any of you want something bad enough, you will succeed. . . . No matter what, remember the importance of perseverance. The thought of achieving your goals may seem impossible or never-ending. However, if you can push through the struggles you face, you will succeed.”

She added, “Define your own success. Don’t let others tell you that you have to do something. Be determined, be motivated, persevere. Decide what you want to do and go do it.”

Michelle Morrison recited a quote from author Neil Gaiman: “’I hope you make mistakes, are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world.’”

“Members of this great class have already made multiple mistakes, and look how far we’ve come,” Morrison pointed out. “When was the last time you did something for the first time? My guess is not recently enough. If I told you that 10 years from now, your lives would all be exactly the same, I doubt you’d be very happy. Go outside of your comfort zones and achieve without fear of failure.”

Following the student speeches, the audience watched a slide show featuring pictures of the students when they were young and the the different experiences they shared through their four years at Dirigo. Classmates and audience members alike laughed at the beginning of the slide show as the jaunty SpongeBob SquarePants theme song played.

The senior chorus sang a rendition of “See You When I see You” by country artist Jason Aldean. Later in the ceremony, salutatorian Addie Fuller and Fu Kiu sang a rendition of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon and Garfunkel, which received a standing ovation.

Before the seniors moved their tassels to the opposite side of their mortarboards and officially became graduates, Principal Michael Poulin spoke to the them, joking that their hands were “75 of the sweatiest hands he’s ever shook.” He comment drew laughter from the crowd.

“These four years at Dirigo have prepared you to go out, face the world, take everything you’ve learned and put it into action,” Poulin said. “It has been an absolute honor and privilege to be your principal, and we want you to come back and visit. Don’t be strangers.”

Poulin turned to the seniors and said, “As the song you guys sang earlier said, ‘we’ll see you when we see you.’”

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