LEWISTON — “The more things change, the more they stay the same,” Principal Eben Shaw said, reflecting on the fact that whether it’s 2016 or 1916, seniors are seniors and the future is here.

It’s time to “step back, pause and reflect,” Shaw said at the Leavitt Area High School graduation held at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee on Sunday.

The Colisee was a full house of excited family and friends. Parents were shouting across the arena to cheer on their children and friends were Snapchatting the whole experience, to remember for at least a little while.

The 127 graduates from Greene, Leeds and Turner will enter adulthood by way of college, the workforce or the military.

“As we get older and our views change, remember that it’s OK to change your mind. Most of the time change is a good thing,” Julia Dillingham said in her salutatorian speech. “We must take risks in life. It takes courage to know what direction to go in.”

In addition to diplomas, awards and scholarships were presented Sunday. One of the biggest awards was the 1956 Award, given this year to Chad Andre Morin. The recipient of this award is chosen by the faculty and staff as the student they feel gives the all-around most to Leavitt Area High School.

Valedictorian Hannah Varney offered advice in her commencement address. “This stage of life is coming to an end, and it is bittersweet. I want to be able to remember my high school experience and all the fun and effort I put into it, but I also want to look forward to future opportunities.”

She added, “High school may have ended, but new and fantastic opportunities are just on the horizon. Embrace them.”