The Calais School celebrated the graduation of eight high school seniors and nine eighth graders in a beautiful virtual ceremony on Friday, June 19.

The ceremony opened with the traditional graduation processional music “Pomp and Circumstances” which featured photos of the graduates in a heartwarming slide show of baby photos of the graduates as well as current photos of the graduates with friends and family members celebrating their special day.

Calais School Vice Principal John Cohrs welcomed graduates, family members and friends, as well as Calais administrators and staff, members of the Board of Trustees and the Calais Foundation to the school’s first ever virtual commencement ceremony. “We find ourselves in historic times, forced to search for new ways to create, innovate and achieve,” Mr. Cohrs said. “You, our graduates of 2020, have had to sacrifice the most with the most at stake, but you’re here because you have risen to this challenge, overcoming this momentous obstacle, and so you find yourselves now at your own very historic graduation.”

Mr. Cohrs congratulated the Class of 2020. “We’re here to represent you those who have supported you along the way, to congratulate you, and celebrate with you,” the vice principal said. “May we serve to remind you that your greatest achievements are made with the help of those who lift you up and believe in you.”

After of the pledge of allegiance, the Calais School Band performed the “Star-Spangled Banner” and Calais School Executive Director David Leitner spoke about the historic challenging times the world is going through. “All of us have been living, working (and studying) under very unique and challenging circumstances the past few months,” he said.

He also thanked the school’s founder Charlotte Leitner, a school psychologist, as “without her foresight and leadership, Calais never would have happened.”

Mr. Leitner congratulated graduates on earning their degrees. “The Calais School is truly a community,” he said. “In addition, I need to point out that the Calais Foundation raises funds to help our students and other members of the Special Needs Community. Without their time, energy and yes … dollars, we would have less resources to work with for our students. So please be sure to visit The Calais Foundation website and Facebook page and become a supporter.”

“To all of our graduates, be positive, and believe in yourself and give back to your family and your community,” he said.

Leitner’s remarks were followed by a photo montage of the graduates to the song “Have It All’ by Jason Mraz.

Principal Dr. Diane Manno then thanked parents for supporting students as many worked at home during the COVID-19 pandemic and still had to help their children with their schoolwork. “You are strong and smart,” she told the graduates. “Be courageous and try new adventures. Bring hope and joy to everything you do. Stand up for your beliefs. Your voice matters.”

Actor Sean Astin, known for the title role or Daniel Ruettiger in the film “Rudy”, his portrayal of “Samwise Gamgee” in “The Lord of the Rings” films, as “Mikey Walsh” in the film “The Goonies” and as Bob Newby in the hit Netflix series “Stranger Things” was the guest speaker at the Calais School graduation. “We have seen the true character of your generations,” he said, adding “it is only the beginning as 2020 will always be a class that made history.”

Astin also quoted lines from his “Lord of the Rings” character Samwise Gangee even speaking like a hobbit, which he portrayed in the film, as he addressed his fellow hobbit friend Frodo, “There is some good left in the world and it is worth fighting for.”

Several graduates also presented speeches or had school staff read their speeches for them, thanking their family and friends, and discussing their plans for the future, including attending college and what they plan to study.

The graduation ended with the Calais Band’s performance of the theme song from the Disney+ show “The Mandalorian”.