Formed by a pandemic, Kennebunk High graduates take lessons of courage, perseverance into the future

Shawn Sullivan
·7 min read

KENNEBUNK, Maine – Taylor Bruhl found it hard to believe she was a high school senior, let alone one who was moments away from collecting her diploma and officially launching her future.

“It’s a little weird to me,” Bruhl said. “I still feel like I am back as a sophomore in high school because of COVID. It cut out so much of the high school experience, I guess. To now be graduating . . . it does not feel real.”

Kennebunk High School graduate Samantha McGrath celebrates after receiving her diploma during commencement on Sunday, June 5, 2022 in Kennebunk.
Kennebunk High School graduate Samantha McGrath celebrates after receiving her diploma during commencement on Sunday, June 5, 2022 in Kennebunk.

But real it was. As Bruhl spoke, she stood clad in a blue cap and gown, and all around her in the Kennebunk High School parking lot were fellow classmates who were dressed just like her.

Graduate Taylor Bruhl, right, is seen here with her boyfriend, Ian Neal, moments before Kennebunk High School's commencement ceremony on Sunday, June 5, 2022.
Graduate Taylor Bruhl, right, is seen here with her boyfriend, Ian Neal, moments before Kennebunk High School's commencement ceremony on Sunday, June 5, 2022.

And, just like Bruhl – who’s off to Southern Maine Community College this fall, with plans of one day becoming a third-grade teacher – they were all about to receive their diplomas during an outdoor ceremony blessed with beautiful weather and free from any pandemic restrictions.

The Kennebunk High School Class of 2022 marches on to Stadium Field with family and friends in the stands on Sunday, June 5.
The Kennebunk High School Class of 2022 marches on to Stadium Field with family and friends in the stands on Sunday, June 5.

Graduation Day for the Kennebunk High School Class of 2022 – Sunday, June 5 – prompted different reactions in different graduates-to-be. If Bruhl considered the occasion a bit surreal, fellow graduate Serenity Davis, well, lived up to her name. Swigging a Red Bull and mingling with friends, Davis said she was nervous at first about the arrival of her last official day as a KHS student.

“But now that I’m here with everybody, it’s honestly quite peaceful,” she said. “I’m pretty excited, honestly.”

More: Kennebunk High School names Class of 2022 Top 10 Percent

Davis said her immediate post-graduation goal is to find a full-time job.

“No college just yet,” she said. “But it’s on the table, just kind of later on.”

Kennebunk High School Principal Jeremie Sirois leads graduates of the Class of 2022 to their commencement ceremony on Sunday, June 5, 2022.
Kennebunk High School Principal Jeremie Sirois leads graduates of the Class of 2022 to their commencement ceremony on Sunday, June 5, 2022.

Speaking of jobs, graduate Hans Ruediger said he already has one lined up.

“I’m an electrician, so I’m going to be working in the field this summer,” he said, as he and his classmates walked from the high school’s entrance to where they would line up to march into the football stadium for the ceremony.

Ruediger said he felt “pretty good, pretty excited” about graduating.

Graduate Jay Hostetter and teacher Beth Hazen are seen here moments before all the seniors of Kennebunk High School's Class of 2022 lined up for their commencement ceremony on Sunday, June 5, 2022.
Graduate Jay Hostetter and teacher Beth Hazen are seen here moments before all the seniors of Kennebunk High School's Class of 2022 lined up for their commencement ceremony on Sunday, June 5, 2022.

For graduate Jay Hostetter, the occasion felt like a “regular event," though one that would be followed by a big family party.

“It doesn’t feel like a big deal,” said Hostetter, who is a drummer and whose goal is to become a professional musician.

However each graduate felt before the Pomp and Circumstance officially began – excited, in disbelief, peaceful, and more – they were united in achievement and accomplishment.

Riley Coron, left to right, Kylie Mosser, Ava Kull and Brianna Difrederico pose for a photo before their graduation on Sunday at Kennebunk High School.
Riley Coron, left to right, Kylie Mosser, Ava Kull and Brianna Difrederico pose for a photo before their graduation on Sunday at Kennebunk High School.

They also were bound together by a most unusual experience: the COVID-19 pandemic. For the Class of 2022, their freshman year was normal, their sophomore year was interrupted by the virus, their junior year consisted of learning in class and from home, and their senior year, while full-time at school, was all about establishing a new normal.

Seniors Ella Boxall, Samantha McGrath and Mae Richardson pose for a photo before their graduation. Kennebunk High School hels its 147th Commencement on Sunday, June 5 at the school.
Seniors Ella Boxall, Samantha McGrath and Mae Richardson pose for a photo before their graduation. Kennebunk High School hels its 147th Commencement on Sunday, June 5 at the school.

English teacher Beth Carlson acknowledged as much in her address to the graduates, telling them that they persevered through the “unprecedented years” of their “pandemic education” at Kennebunk High School. Carlson told the seniors that they are entering a world that feels destabilized by violence, by the pandemic, and by other current concerns.

“It might seem like this is new to your generation, but it’s not," Carlson said. "Challenges are not new. You, however, are going to be stronger for having navigated the pandemic. We gain strength by overcoming trials, and you’ve passed your first test of many.”

Sofie Dumas gives the Valedictory Address during the Kennebunk High School commencement ceremony on Sunday, June 5, 2022.
Sofie Dumas gives the Valedictory Address during the Kennebunk High School commencement ceremony on Sunday, June 5, 2022.

In her speech, Valedictorian Sofie Dumas urged her fellow graduates to be courageous as they began their lives in the real world – to show the same courage they had when they returned to school full-time last September after spending much of the previous year attending classes virtually.

“When we first got back to school this fall to learn in a classroom five days a week, we struggled to speak up in class and even communicate with one another face to face,” Dumas recalled. “Most classes started out pretty silent, as they had been online. Throughout the year, I heard more voices coming into conversations, and we began rebuilding the peer connections that we had lost in distance learning. These little moments of asking a question or contributing to discussions allowed us to get here. These moments of courage allowed us to become who we are today.”

Classmates give a round of applause as Mary Hauser heads to the stage to give the Salutatory Address. The Kennebunk High School Class of 2022 graduated on Sunday, June 5 at the school.
Classmates give a round of applause as Mary Hauser heads to the stage to give the Salutatory Address. The Kennebunk High School Class of 2022 graduated on Sunday, June 5 at the school.

Salutatorian Mary Hauser told her classmates that the measure of their success in life will be the “good we have achieved” and the “love, happiness and kindness we share.” Hauser noted that she and her classmates live in a “beautiful area of a beautiful world,” but also, “unfortunately,” in a “deeply flawed world.”

“Just as there are many problems facing this world, there are many ways we can go about addressing them,” Hauser said. “We can do more than just imagine all the people living life in peace. We might choose to volunteer our time, use our careers to solve problems, or simply recognize the humanity in every person and not tolerate the maltreatment of fellow humans.”

A group of seniors hangs out prior to the start of their graduation ceremony at Kennebunk High School Sunday, June 5.
A group of seniors hangs out prior to the start of their graduation ceremony at Kennebunk High School Sunday, June 5.

After the speeches, each graduate rose, took the stage, and accepted their diploma from RSU 21 Superintendent Terri Cooper. And after the diplomas, KHS Principal Jeremie Sirois addressed the graduates. Referring to graduation ceremonies of recent years, Sirois said he was “thrilled” that this year’s commencement was being held with any restrictions.

“You deserve to have this day be the one you always envisioned,” he said.

A group of graduates gathers moments before Kennebunk High School's commencement ceremony on Sunday, June 5, 2022. Standing are Kit Naber, left, Lily Isaac, Juliauna Tadlock, and Serenity Davis. Kneeling are Emilie Santerre, left, and Emily Condon.
A group of graduates gathers moments before Kennebunk High School's commencement ceremony on Sunday, June 5, 2022. Standing are Kit Naber, left, Lily Isaac, Juliauna Tadlock, and Serenity Davis. Kneeling are Emilie Santerre, left, and Emily Condon.

KHS Class of 2022

Tyler J. Adams

Miles G. Anderson

Keegan W. Andrews

Jacob W. Baptista

Camden A. Bard

Annika B. Barstow

Hannah C. Beaupre

Cooper M. Belo

Kimberly C. Bennett

Aiden C. Berg MacLeod

Cole C. Binette

Rami L. Bjotvedt

Mallory W. Boarts

Ella M. Boxall

Nellie M. Boyle

Liam C. Breault

Lucien P. Breault

Taylor M. Bruhl

Nora B. Burke

Morgan L. Butler

Konstantinos N. Canniff

Victor J. Cavanaugh

Noah J. E. Champagne

Garrett G. Clukey

Julia R. Cochran

Andrea N. Collin Reigosa

Emily A. Condon

Lola J. Cook

Michael S. Corleto

Riley M. Coron

Riley C. Counts

Virginia H. C. Crimp

Ryan M. Darrah

Serenity M. Davis

Garrett J. Dickinson

Brianna J. DiFrederico

Douglas D. C. Doane

Willa-Maya H. Dowling

Sofie L. Dumas

Sydney S. Dumas

Eliza K. Eon

Sophia G. Esch

Finley G. Fairfield

Brianna C. Flanders

Gabriel A. Flewelling

Samantha R. Fortin

Bradley C. Foster

Arianna J. Fourtzialas-Price

William E. Fox

Bryce G. Gagne

Christian M. Gaudette

Sophia Z. Gironda

Alexa S. Goncalves

Elias A. Grabowski

Arija L. Grant

Ivy J. Hammer-Gumbrell

Elaina G. Hammond

Lily R. Hansen

Bailey M. Hanson

Mary E. H. Hauser

Lily G. Hebert

Caleb M. Hodgkins

Reilly C. Holder

Ava S. Horne

Jay M. Hostetter

Elizabeth P. Howard

Mackenzie A. Howard

Caleb A. Howell

Ian D. Huguley

Lily R. Isaac

Griffin E. Johnson

Jack R. Johnson

Ryan C. Johnson

Ethan M. Kahn

Ty C. Kane

Ethan T. Kasprzak

Connor W. Keefe

Andrew T. Keene

Patrick S. Kellett

Kendall M. Kennedy

Joseph M. Kiezulas

Emily J. Kimball

Shai A. Knight

Jacek W. Kudas, Jr.

Ava M. Kull

Noah F. LaCoursiere

Callie M. LaRose

Isaac J. Leveille

Ian J. MacDonald

Chase R. MacIver

Daniel J. Macolini

Kyle J. Maguire

Owen P. Mahoney

Owen A. Marquez

Lily S. Martin

Eliza K. Mason

Audrey H. McEnaney

Hazel N. McEnaney

Connor P. M. McGarry

Samantha M. McGrath

Charles K. McMahon

Ashley C. Medina-Perez

Alec F. Midgley

Matthew C. Moore

Curtis J. Morgan

Brady F. Morin

Ainsley E. Morrison

Elizabeth S. Morrison

Hannah E. Morrison

Kylie M. Mosser

Robert R. Moxham

Maiea E. Naber

Lucas C. Nadeau

Jake H. Nelson

Margaret J. Nelson

Gabriel A. Novicki

Nika S. S. O'Reilly

Roan T. O'Toole

Andrew B. Palmeri, Jr.

William S. Pargellis

Connor H. Patterson

Kailee M. Peabody

Brandt J. Phelan

Brier D. Phipps

Maddison O. Pike

Noelle G. Plaisted

Rachael E. Plaisted

Marston J. Poore

Lauren J. Poulin

Rowan K. Pow

Grace A. Radel

Camilla E. G. Rawlings

Isabella M. Real

Alexandre A. Reed

*Helena M. Reis

Mae Qi-Morgan Richardson

Elaina M. Rioux

Garrett D. Robinson

Dylan C. Roche

Emily P. Rossics

Nolan P. Roy

Hans B. Ruediger

Simone S. Ruediger

Kate G. Russell

Emilie P. Santerre

Nikolas J. Santoro

Maeve A. Saunders

Emma K. Sayer

Landon T. Schwartzman

Nate D. Seitz

Hannah R. Slone

William J. Smith

William A. Snow, IV

Elized S. Soule

Emalee M. Stackpole

Henry H. Stauss

Cullen P. Stevens

Riley S. Stevens

Molly P. Sweeney

Juliauna J. Tadlock

Adia F. Thomas

Sophie A. Turner

Caroline S. Van Hemel

Yulinka C. Warren

Liam F. Westley

Penelope O. White

Noah H. Williams

Kaia J. Wirth

Peter J. Wirth, Jr.

Sadie A. Yentsch

David A. York

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Kennebunk, ME High School hold commencement for the Class of 2022