Dear Gorham,

The Gorham High School Class of 2025 graduation has been a highly anticipated event; June 8 was a date whose arrival many students, teachers, and parents were never quite prepared for. Only yesterday were these seniors just elementary schoolers, with small hands clapping for the seemingly enormous high school seniors as they paraded through the Gorham schools in their caps and gowns. Now, it’s their turn. In some ways those thirteen years took a lifetime to complete, but in others they went by in the blink of an eye.

Despite being divided among three elementary schools, thanks to summer camps, daycares, and clubs, these students were never strangers to each other. Their transition to middle school was smooth, with many old friendships growing or strengthening and several new ones emerging. However, COVID-19 cut the Class of 2025’s seventh grade short, and made eighth grade a tricky hybrid year. Without a true middle school graduation, high school seemed a daunting challenge.

A strong senior class, the Class of 2022, helped to ease this intimidation with an impressive group of role models and positive leadership. The graduating groups from 2023 and 2024 were also full of siblings and friends that helped pave the way for the Class of 2025’s success. It goes without saying that many of this class’s motivations in academics, the arts, and sports were inspired by the legacy left by those who graduated before them.

In giving credit to those who shaped this group of students, it would be a mistake not to mention the fabulous teachers and staff at Gorham High School who made the past four years unforgettable. They have pushed this class not only academically, but also as people, to become the best versions of themselves. It seems that every single student in the Class of 2025 has made at least one meaningful, personal connection with a teacher.

Whether that’s Mrs. Nelson’s encouraging, yet honest life advice, Mr. Crosby’s open door and listening ear, Mrs. Stone’s unwavering updo and even more consistent smile, Mrs. Shvets parties for every occasion, or Mr. King’s friendship and sense of humor, these teachers have undoubtedly shaped the minds, lives, and hearts of the students who were lucky enough to learn from them. Even on lazy Monday mornings and distracted Friday afternoons, and even when students were called out of classes to move their cars because they were parked in teachers’ spots, their gratitude for these mentors and friends has never wavered. This past Sunday, goodbyes with GHS staff were the among the hardest ones to say.

Gorham, as a town and community, is truly special. Many of the closest friendships you see today were formed over a decade ago, in elementary classrooms full of students who believed graduation was a lifetime away. It was far too easy for them to take for granted the charm, character, and closeness of this town until they realized their remaining time here was counting down. When they realized they’d seen their name on a lamppost in the center of town for the last time, or placed their final handprint in the halls at GHS, or taken down the senior sign on their front lawn—that’s when it kicked in. That’s when it really hit that they’ve crossed the graduation stage, among their closest friends, with the bittersweet finality they’ve dreamed about since kindergarten.

As this sensational graduating class embarks on their next journeys, their accomplishments will ring loud over the town, their legacy of perseverance and loyalty now cemented alongside the classes they once looked up to so much. They will turn the world upside down, spreading their leaves and growing flowers from the Carolinas to Florida to Australia and beyond, but always sharing the same roots from Gorham, Maine. Bringing with them the friendships that endured, as well as the ones that didn’t, they are connected by the lessons they learned as they grew up together, and their everlasting pride and gratitude to be a member of Gorham High School’s Class of 2025.

So, Gorham, thank you. Thank you to everyone who made the past 13 years so formative and memorable for this year’s graduating class. Their present and future accomplishments are forever indebted to your support, stability, and love. People make the place, and there is not a better place to call home.
Sincerely, GHS Class of 2025