Islesboro Central School Graduates Nine

Tuesday 12 August

THE CLASS OF 2003: Back row - Jon Bolduc, Gavin Harkins, Ben Roberts, Rory Diffin. Front row - Hannah Kerr, Nicole Frank, Melissa Johnston, Elena Coronado, Nikki Pisciotta. Annie Bolduc photo

The Islesboro community came prepared, Kleenex stuffed into pockets and handbags, to see nine of its sons and daughters graduate from Islesboro Central School in commencement exercises held June 8.
With a little help from island musicians, the high school band played Pomp and Circumstance as Jon Bolduc, Elena Coronado, Rory Diffin, Nicole Frank, Gavin Harkins, Melissa Johnston, Hannah Kerr, Nikki Pisciotta and Ben Roberts made their way to the stage of the Kinnicutt Center. Valedictorian Melissa Johnston read her honor essay about the unchanging nature of a small town, followed by a musical interlude by the senior girls. The commencement speaker, young author Ned Vizzini, was chosen by the class for his sensitivity to teen angst evinced in his writing which had been subject matter for the class. Mr. Vizzini delivered a humorous and apt speech. After the class will and prophecy were read salutatorian Rory Diffin read his sober essay on the measure of success, and Jon Bolduc amused all with his “Lessons Learned.”
Athletic Director Tom Bolduc presented Eagle Awards (earned by lettering at least 12 times in a high school career) to Jon Bolduc (19 letters) and Rory Diffin (15).
After scholarships were awarded, outgoing Superintendent Denis Howard and Cathy Dove Adams of the School Committee distributed diplomas to the graduating seniors.
What do the graduates plan to do now? Jon Bolduc will study computer science at the University of Maine at Farmington; Elena Coronado plans to study communications and public relations at Northeastern University; Rory Diffin plans to attend Utica College studying criminal justice; Nicole Frank will attend Eastern Maine Technical College and study early childhood education, Gavin Harkins will take up aviation at Averett University; Melissa Johnston will take an individualized major in physical science at the University of Maine at Farmington; Hanna Kerr plans to attend Southern Maine Technical College and study early childhood education; Nikki Pisciotta will take up liberal arts at Southern Maine Technical College and magnet student Ben Roberts will start basic training at Parris Island in November as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps.

Scholarships and Awards
Rothschild (Amistad) Scholarship: Jon Bolduc, Melissa Johnston, Annie Bolduc, Erika Diffin, Ryan Grindle, Lexy Harkins, Andrew Leach, Elek Miller
Dorothy Kinnicutt Parish Scholarship: Kim Grindle, Travis Tatro
Carl and Gwendolyn Hammar Scholarship: Nicole Frank
Katherine Mitchell Gray Scholarship: Hannah Kerr
Joseph and Lavina Durkee Memorial Fund: Hannah Kerr
Bobby and Barbara Pendleton Good Citizenship Award: Olivia Durkee
Ruth P. Field Scholarship: Nicole Frank, Hanna Kerr, Nicole Pisciotta, Kim Grindle
Islesboro Teachers’ Association Scholarship: Jon Bolduc, Rory Diffin, Melissa Johnston, Annie Bolduc, Krista Daley, Kim Grindle, Leah Gutman, Jairus Miller, Nate Oldham
Maine Masonic Scholarship:
Jon Bolduc
The Islander Scholarship, given to a descendant of one of the original settlers of the island, could not find a recipient this year.
Island Institute Scholarship: Annie Bolduc Jon Bolduc, Mary Czenkusch, Erika Diffin, Rory Diffin, Leah Gutman, Lexy Harkins, Melissa Johnston, Hannah Kerr, Nate Oldham, Steven Shand, Daniel Tutor
Improved Order of the Redmen: Nikki Pisciotta, Gavin Harkins
U.S. Marine Corps Athletic Scholarship: Ben Roberts
Associated Grocers Scholarship: Elena Coronado
Principals’ Association Scholarship: Nicole Frank.