'We're just better' — Cape grads ready to take on the world

CAPE ELIZABETH — Beneath a brilliant blue sky Sunday at Fort Williams Park, Cape Elizabeth High School sent 136  graduates out into the world.

It was within that palette that social studies teacher Gretchen McNulty spoke in her faculty address of the "brilliant potential" of each graduate. While listing the many vibrant hues of the day, McNulty said it would be safer for graduates to work within the lines of a coloring book – within "someone else's template for life" – than to henceforth choose a subject and a medium of one's own. 

"My sincere true hope for all of you is that you have the courage to throw that template out and draw a picture of your own," she said.

As he called out the abilities and accomplishments of his fellow students in his senior address, Alexander Enna seemed to harbor little doubt that McNulty's wish would be fulfilled.

"If there is a group of people whose determination is strong enough to withstand the hard times, to relish in the good ones, and to always move forward, it is this group of students," he said. "I know that, come what may, we can do it."

Meanwhile, valedictorian Ethan DiNinno said success is measured in the large, bold brushstrokes.

"We haven't grown up until we realize that life isn't about Christmas, or Easter, or birthdays," he said. "It's not about the first day of school, or the last. It's not about prom, or graduation. It's not about weddings, or children being born. It's not about getting a promotion, or retiring. 

"Sure," said DiNinno, "those things happen. But if you weigh them against all the days in which you just got to school, or work, and come home, they are a very small part of life. Our value is measured is what we do with the ordinary days."

DiNinno encouraged his fellow graduates to think about the small moments in between the big ones in the days and years to come. Even today, he noted, repercussions can be felt from a first-grade decision to invite a classmate into a game, or to send that person away with a discouraging word.

"It may not seem like much, but thousands of little decisions like that add up to far more than the few big ones we agonize over," said DiNinno. "Some of us were good friends, others not so much. But all, and I mean all, have helped shape you, and you have helped shape us because, even if we were not the ones beside you on the special days, we spent the ordinary ones together." 

But as he led the turning of the tassels, Luke Sisselman, for one, refused to reflect on ordinary things on what was likely the biggest day to date in the lives of many of the graduating seniors. Class president for all four years of high school, "by your support and a lack of anyone else running," Sisselman encouraged his peers to fill the moment.

"People say Cape Elizabeth is too competitive. It's not that we're competitive, we're just better," he said, to a chorus of wild cheers. "Now, I can't wait to see us all enter the world and be better."

Among the best of Sisselman's "better" class are nine students singled out during graduation ceremonies with “excellence awards." An annual tradition, the awards are given not only to recognize achievement within the outgoing class, but also to inspire those who will follow in their footsteps.

“These individuals are the standard by which others will be measured for years to come, in the classroom, on the playing field or stage, and in the community,” said Principal Jeffrey Shedd.

Katie Lisa Award for Determination and Achievement

Named for a long-time high school social worker, this award is given to a student who has overcome obstacles to achieve great things.

For Donald Clark, described by Shedd as “140 pounds of pure heart,” those obstacles were the defensive linemen he went over, around and through on the way to becoming a finalist for the Fitzpatrick Award, the highest individual honor in Maine high school football.

Recognized by Shedd for “tenacity, resilience, and an unwillingness to accept limitations that would hold back others,” in ice hockey as well as football, Clark also served as an example in the classroom.

“As a student, he comes for extra help, asks questions and digs constantly deeper. His academic work ethic and resilience will take him far,” said Shedd. “The fact that he works hard for everything explains in part why other students look up to him.”

Although “significant health issues” kept Clark's co-recipient, Clarice Dibold, from anything approaching perfect attendance, that did not stop her from “achieving at the highest level,” said Shedd.

“She has at times been frustrated, discouraged and exhausted. But she never gives up,” he explained. “She has always been resolute in her desire to learn, to grow, to create and to enjoy. We admire her for her determination to fully use her gifts, despite adversity that would have discouraged those with less heart.”

Described as “profoundly kind,” Dibold is a student who, in the words of art teacher Mary Hart, “brings determination, a cheerful attitude and intelligence to everything she takes on.”

SCHOOL SPIRIT CITIZENSHIP AWARD

Co-recipients Noah Backer and Sam Donnelly exemplify this award, said Shedd, by being students “widely seen as making our school a better place through their enthusiasm, attitude, ideas, and actions.”

Both young men, said Shedd, were a leading reason visiting football teams and referees often marvel to Cape coaches and administrators “on how positively spirited our fans are.”

In addition to their sideline spirit, Backer brought “energy and supportiveness” to his role as a Natural Helper, to the pool as a member of the swim team and to the Ultimate Frisbee team he helped found and lead to second place in the state competition.

For his part, Donnelly, who vows to be the high school’s vice principal one day, was described by Shedd as “rapidly moving tornado” in movement on the basketball court and lacrosse field, and of ideas in the classroom.

“Always seeking out administration to sell his well-thought-out ideas, he is enthusiastic, intelligent, and dedicated to his class, school, and community,” said Shedd.

Citizenship Award for Character and Leadership

Presented to students who lead through force of character, this award singles out individuals who “have the courage to act on their convictions regardless of what others may think.” This year, that best described Brian Brett and Sasha Lennon.

Although Shedd admitted that Brett is “probably not the most gifted athlete on any team he has been a part of,” he added, “nobody has worked harder to improve himself as an athlete.

"On the playing field, his combination of drive, competitiveness and compassion are on display every day," said Shedd. "He plays with a physical abandon that must sometimes make his parents cringe, yet he is the first to extend a helping hand to an opponent who has landed on the turf."

That same "positive energy, strong work ethic, and compassion" spilled over into the classroom, said Shedd, making Brett someone school officials "can and have turned to when another student is isolated and needs a positive role model and friend."

Lennon also put herself out there as a friend, befriended a student who "needed a visible friend," and eating lunch with that student regularly for three years. A founding members of SEED, a group determined to find positive outlets for social energies, Lennon is well-known, said Shedd, for the "endlessly positive attitude" that she put to use overcoming initial academic challenges to excel at the highest level. 

"In class, she asks questions others have on their minds, yet are reluctant to ask," said Shedd. "That’s leadership, just another dimension of the leadership that led to her selection as captain of the soccer and lacrosse teams."

Good Samaritan citizenship award

The recipients of this award, Emily Mitchell and Max Gore, have proven their dedication to the service of others, either in the school or the greater Portland area, said Shedd, "not because of the plaudits that good deeds may bring, but because of the intrinsic value of offering a helping hand."

Said to be "passionate about people," Mitchell has raised money for Hope Village, supported teammates on the volleyball, ski and tennis teams, and served as a member of the youth ministry at her church, "always looking out for others."

Since freshman year, Mitchell also has volunteered at Piper Shores Retirement Community. "The residents love her and the staff members rave about her," said Shedd. This year, Mitchell led a senior-to-senior initiative, bringing 11 of her classmates to Piper Shores for a total of 84 volunteer hours in the service to Cape's senior citizens.

Gore also was lauded for "a heart of gold." He is "one of the few people everyone considers a sincere, friendly and a truly selfless individual," wrote one of his fellow graduates, in nominating him for recognition. 

Gore's contributions, said Shedd, include mentoring other students at lunch, teaching and coaching young athletes, volunteering at the soup kitchen, helping to raise money for Hope for Haiti and working as a counselor-in-training at the Community Services Summer Day Camp.

"For just being the best friend, teammate, son and big brother he can be, this young man is so deserving of the award," said Shedd.

COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE CITIZENSHIP AWARD

Those singled out for this award have “demonstrated a passion for a subject, sport, or activity that has resulted in their achieving a level of excellence widely recognized by others.” That certainly describes Noelle Webster, who has shown her artwork professionally since age 10, going on to win numerous medals and awards throughout her high school career, including a Scholastic Art Award Gold Key in her sophomore year and the National American Vision Medal Recipient for Maine, delivered at New York City’s Carnegie Hall at the end of her junior year.

“This young artist combines a core of pure kindness and compassion for all, with a sense of optimism, and a dash of pure fun,” said Shedd. “She brings out the best in others, both in her life, and in her work.”