Class of 2022 Opening Ceremony and Conferral of Diplomas

FA GRADUATION 2022

that very few sailboats were on the open lake. As a matter of fact, many of our sailing friends were relaxing on their boats, tied safely to the dock—perhaps chuckling to themselves. I failed to observe that tired old piece of line that would surely fail with the right amount of wind. As we surged ahead on the open water, I failed to look back at the water we had covered, noticing the size of the building waves that would soon face head-on. While trivial, when considering the danger I put my family in, it can also be said that my lack of awareness kept me from appreciating the true beauty of the day when things were actually going well.

To practice awareness, observe— everything around you, even the unimportant things. Observations frequently draw you into the present moment. Right now, observe the hum of the lights, the temperature of the air here on stage, the mix of feelings you surely must be feeling right now—relief, excitement, maybe some nervousness, perhaps some sadness, probably some boredom from hearing me talk. Look around at the friends around you. Notice their faces, and consider what they think and feel right now and why. Observe all of this and mark this moment in your mind. Tomorrow, when you enter the gym, much like you did four years ago on a step-up day, and gather with your class for the very last time, take everything in. Put yourself in that moment, too. Appreciate your family and their pride in your accomplishments. Consider the support they provided to get you to this moment. Don’t miss anything. Don’t let anything go. I haven’t shared anything new with you this afternoon, but as I’ve learned from working with high school students, reminders help…a lot. At least from my perspective— having graduated high school exactly 30 years ago, my career, my choice of colleges, my first job, my second job, my third job (that’s this one, and it’s the best one)—all of these things are important, but not nearly as important as the collection of memories from the moments when I had the sense to be aware and present, and truly live in the moment. So that is all. An easy concept to grasp but a harder one to practice. Be aware: observe, Class president Shelby Purslow leads in the Class of ’22 consider, live, remember.” graduates.

Commencement 2022

On Saturday, May 28th, at the close of the school’s 230th year, Fryeburg Academy graduated the Class of 2022. The event was held in the Ada Cram Wadsworth Arena due to rain in the forecast, following the Baccalaureate and Awards Ceremony and the Senior Car Parade the evening before. The Academy celebrated 151 students who graduated in this class, 44 of whom did so with honors, and 42 with high honors.