LEWISTON — Parents, family, school faculty and friends packed The Colisee in Lewiston on Friday evening to watch 279 students graduate from Lewiston High School. 

To the amusement of everyone, Lewiston High School teacher Daniel Gish rode to the front of the stage on a motorbike to give his keynote address. NESN Host Tom Caron introduced Gish through a prerecorded video played at the ceremony. 

He defined the term Lewiston Strong in his address to students and talked about all the ways in which graduates emulate those ideals. Graduates overcame a lot, whether it was persevering through pandemic hardships, working through school to help support their families or moving to a new community where others look and speak different. 

“Look around this arena,” he said, “all of these people are here for you. Make time for them, go to them for advice, ask for support and tell them how important they are before it’s too late. And always remember the LHS Class of 2024, you’ll never walk alone because together we are Lewiston Strong.” 

From entering high school in hybrid learning because of the pandemic, to starting their senior year just before the Oct. 25, 2023, mass shooting in Lewiston, the class faced many challenges, Principal Jon Radtke said in his address to students. Despite those challenges, students remained resilient and strong.  

He also took a moment to remember classmates who died during the school year: Miranda Hicks, Mohamed Aden and Emersyn Rowles. There were three empty chairs with a stole and cap in each to recognize them. Family members accepted honorary diplomas for each student. Graduates wore butterflies in honor of Emersyn. 

An honorary Lewiston High School diploma was given to School Resource Officer Jeffrey Burkhardt for his actions last fall during and after the mass shooting. 

Class President Olivia Crowley spoke about how graduates could have felt defeated after pandemic struggles and the mass shooting but they did not let it break them, she said. She also spoke about the memories the graduates have made in their years together.

“As you look at the faces around you, you see students you have grown up with,” she said. “You see students with excited faces, ready for the future. You see students with whom you shared memories – memories that you will look back on and cherish forever. These are days you will never forget.” 

Salutatorian Gabriella Thomas spoke about the journey — from starting school to graduation — reminiscing on lessons, moments and milestones along the way. 

“As we reflect on the past thirteen years we see how time slows for no one,” she said. “… Fighting on the playground over four square, meeting new people and writing a college essay aren’t big moments anymore. When you think about your times in school remember the friendships you made and the lessons you learned.” 

Aleyeh Mussa, 17, will take from high school the strong will he developed, which helped propel him through school, he said. 

It was difficult to stay focused and not give up at times, he said. He implored future graduates to stay focused. 

“Make sure to never give up and make sure to keep going forward,” he advised. “Even if you trip on the way. Stay true to yourself.” 

Adam Benson, 18, said the most difficult part of high school was his freshman year when pandemic learning upended the regular school schedule – “either that or chemistry.”  But things got better after that, particularly toward the end of his high school career when the football team went from a losing team to a winning team, he said.  

For Tatum Hunt, 18, sports were the highlight of her high school career — specifically women’s ice hockey, which she played. She enjoyed making connections with people who now feel like family, she said.  

Margaret Wade, 18, said she had a lot of fun participating in senior activities, such as the prank and class trip, with friends she made in high school. 

Friend of Wade and fellow graduate Emily Trider, 18, agreed, and said she feels like their class became closer through the hardships they faced.  

Graduates and friends Kaden Tardiff and Joshua Ratoff, both 18, saw their social skills improve through high school – something they will take with them, they said. 

Tardiff said he hopes to stay in touch with the friends he made in high school. 

One of the highest moments for Ratoff was receiving his welding certificate through Lewiston Regional Technical Center – a test he was nervous to take initially,  he said. 

Valedictorian Anny Zhao told graduates to live in the moment and make their lives their own. She pressed her peers to cherish the time they had and memories made growing with each other but to look now toward the future. 

“While it is true that senior year held cherished memories, it is time we move on from this part of our lives and see what the future holds for us,” she said. “We had fun, worked hard, spent time with friends and family but now that has all come to an end. Behind our tears, there is hope and joy in what is to come.”