BUCKFIELD — The 39 members of the Class of 2014 at Buckfield Junior-Senior High School chose their former freshman English teacher, Charlie Nielsen, as speaker for their Awards Night ceremony Wednesday.

Nielsen, who had just retired from teaching at Dirigo High School in Dixfield in 2010, was asked to come to Buckfield high school to teach freshman English later that year to the Class of 2014. He made such an impression they asked him to speak at Awards Night, Principal George Rueter said.

Nielsen talked about recognizing individuals and dignity. He had high praise for Rueter and the atmosphere he found at the school. He said that on the first day of school Rueter made it clear that they recognize the individuality of each student and work to preserve their dignity.

“I couldn’t expect to pour every kid into the same mold, because a few didn’t fit and cramming them into my mold broke either the kid or me or both,” he said. “I’m sure you know that Mr. Rueter is relentless and dedicated to recognize and to dignify people,” he said.

“If you think about the worst thing you’ve ever done to someone, it very likely involves taking his or her dignity,” Nielsen said. “Whatever else you did, you probably make them feel less worthy in the process. When you consider your best moments, the opposite is probably true. And that’s the power we have over one another — to extend recognition and dignity or to take that and momentarily and emotionally cripple one another.”

Nielsen said he was honored to be asked to speak.

“I would wish you luck, but we have little control over luck. So, I will leave you with what my wife tells me every morning as I leave for school: “‘Be careful out there/be good to kids/and do your very best.'”

During presentation of awards and scholarships, Mike Blank gave the Frances L. and George B. Foster Scholarship to every student who was planning on continuing their education. He said Eastern Star Lodge has given out $750,000 in scholarships over the past 20 years.

Class President Samantha Zak spoke on the graduates’ appreciation for their education.

“I don’t know what the future holds for me, but I believe I can do anything I set my heart to,” she said.

The colleges, universities and academies students have been accepted to include Central Maine Community College, University of Maine, University of Maine at Farmington, University of Maine at Machias, University of Maine at Fort Kent, University of Southern Maine, Vermont Technical College, The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, New England School of Communication and the United States Navy.

Buckfield Junior-Senior High School award and scholarship recipients

U.S. Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award: Jeremy Austin and Mickayla Wiley

U.S. Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award: Jonah Williams and Gabriellie Therriault

U.S. Marine Corps Semper Fidalis for Musical Excellence: Levi Smith and Megan Salisbury

Oxford Federal Credit Union Scholarship: Mickayla Wiley

Oxford Hills Early Childhood Education Scholarship: Mickayla Wiley

MELMAC Principals’ Scholarship: Bayley Caouette

Maine Principals’ Association Award: Mickayla Wiley

Daughters of the American Revolution Youth Citizenship and DAR Good Citizenship Awards: Rebecca Cooper and Jeremy Austin

Veterans of Foreign Wars Scholarship: Arrabine Dunn

Finance Authority of Maine Educators for Maine Program: Mickayla Wiley and Samantha Zak

Hartford Heritage Society Scholarship: Megan Salisbury

Early College for ME Scholarship: Jennifer Dyer and Bayley Caouette

Jerry Perry and Brenda Packard Scholarship: McKayla Darling

Mary E. Gammon Awards: Jeremy Austin and Mickayla Wiley

Frances R. Buck Award: Jeremy Austin

Class of 1956 Scholarship: Samantha Zak

Barrett Spaulding Scholarship: Bayley Caouette

Alice B. Parks Scholarship: Kara Libby

Milton and Verlie B. Warren Scholarship: Jennifer Dyer

Evelyn Ridley Scholarship: Kara Libby

Mary B. Wiley Scholarships: Megan Salisbury and Mickayla Wiley

Velma and Raymond Keene Scholarship: Abigail Campbell

Class of 1968 Brenda Jean Perry Scholarship: Abigail Campbell

University of Maine: Jeremy Austin, Abigail Campbell, Bayley Caouette, Hannah Gallant, Zephrien Gonsalves, Kali Laganiere, Levi Smith, Mitchell Smith and Mickayla Wiley

University of Maine at Farmington: Jeremy Austin, Mickayla Wiley and Samantha Zak

American Legion Dept. of Maine Children and Youth Scholarship: Rebecca Cooper

Custodial Award: Thomas Westleigh

Alumni awards

Ardelia Prince Award: Jeremy Austin

Best Attitude Toward School (female): Megan Salisbury

Best Attitude Toward School (male): Zephrien Gonsalves

Advanced Math/Science Award: Abigail Campbell

Honor Roll Shield: Mickayla Wiley

Greatest Scholastic Improvement: Corduroy Labonte

Buckfield High School Alumni Association Scholarship: Arrabine Dunn