High School 'Roller Coaster' Comes to End for 252 Graduates

It started out as just a "joke," but Quinn Parker quickly realized there truly was no more fitting way to bring his classmates together one last time and to encapsulate their experience.

So Parker — the senior class secretary — stood atop the commencement stage Friday and lead his 251 classmates through one last "roller coaster," a group cheer that had students stomping their feet and throwing their hands in the air as one before the Class of 2012 departed in countless different directions and careers.

"It was just something we started at the rehearsal because we had a bunch of free time," said Parker, who plans to study chemistry at the University of Vermont in the fall. "We do it at games and pep rallies... and it's significant to do it here. It's what the last four years have been like. It's also just something fun, and I'm honored to have been the one to do it."

The cheer was one of many displays of Warrior pride Friday during the 2012 commencement ceremonies, held outside on Alumni Field. Students shared memories from class and hanging out with their friends, as well as used the stories of Justin Bieber, Michael Phelps, Will Smith and the Boston Celtics to inspire their classmates to travel a humble, ambitious path through life.

Valedictorian Brad Fagan used the Mayan calendar — which predicts the end of the world will occur on Dec. 21 — as a metaphor for his classmates' future, as "world as [they] know it is coming to an end."

Fagan said a recent discovery of an older Mayan calendar disproves the doomsday prediction, though, and he said if he and his classmates don't allow high school to be the "apex" of their lives, then they'll too make a similar discovery that "upon reflection" will make the end of high school not as "scary."

"This is not a time to be sad or fearful, but a time to be happy about the past and optimistic about the future, as it holds limitless potential," said Fagan. "Do things that will make you, your family and your community proud."

Student Council President Hannah Knight also touched heavily on potential, telling classmates "don't limit yourselves." Knight said Smith could've been content with being the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, but instead aspired to do more, which is something she said all of the graduates can do in their lives.

"If you have determination in your hearts and friends and family by your side, there's not a single person who can't achieve their dreams," she said.

Winnacunnet School Board Chairman Wayne Skoglund, Salutatorian Joseph Brouillard and Madeline Gaffey, the senior class president, also touched on personal experiences to inspire the students to try for their best, although one of the speakers said the students inspired him.

Chris Spiller, a popular social studies teacher who retired from WHS at the end of the 2010-2011 school year, gave the keynote address, thanking the students for selecting him for the "honor" because they felt he had a significant impact on their lives.

Spiller regretfully informed the students his speech wouldn't come with handouts or a projector, although he drew from history and the military heavily while making his points to the graduates. Spiller also encouraged students not to take the easy path, but to take the fulfilling approach in life and to "take advantage of the intellectual smorgasbord known as college" in order to find their passions.

"It may take a while, but just keep searching," said Spiller.

Many of the students celebrated graduation Friday night by participating in , a substance-free celebration filled with games, sports and other activities students can enjoy together.

Jason Miles was "anxious" before his daughter Justine — who planned to celebrate graduation at Chem Free night — received her diploma, although he said she's "worked real hard to get where she is now" and is happy to see her accomplish something that she and her friends can cherish for the rest of their lives.

Miles said he plans to hold a party with friends and family for his daughter — a soon-to-be pre-med major at Emmanuel College — when she returns from the celebration. Miles said he's "proud" his daughter has reached the graduation "milestone," and said he looks forward to what she can accomplish.

"The sky's the limit," said Miles. "Congratulations to her and all the graduates."