CAMDEN — The Camden Hills Regional High School Class of 2014 is one of the biggest, with 179 students about to earn their diploma Friday night, June 6. This week is full of ceremonies, accolades and acknowledgments, as the group of young men and women get ready to move out into the world.

The seniors and their families are excited, a little wistful and very ready to celebrate. For the community at large, however, the favorite part of graduation is the class march through downtown Camden, with friends, family and onlookers cheering them forward to baccalaureate.

In a processional that makes everyone smile with pride, the graduating seniors marched through town Monday afternoon, June 2, continuing a tradition that kicks off the week of pageantry, pomp and circumstance. The weather was perfect, with mild temperatures and sunshine, and nothing but smiles on every corner.

The annual baccalaureate takes place every June, on the Monday preceding the Friday night graduation. That ceremony begins at 7:59 p.m. in the Strom Auditorium at the high school.

As the students march through town — leaving the Camden-Rockport Middle School, walking down Mechanic Street, to Tannery Lane, out onto Main Street and up Elm to the First Congregational Church — Camden police halt traffic along the busy Route 1 and the sidewalks fill with a short, yet heartfelt, community celebration.

Bagpiper Ernie Smith led the procession with his bagpipes, and the students, in their black gowns and mortarboards, followed behind. With grins and outfitted with every type of footwear, from sandals to heels and sneakers to cowboy boots, they wound their way through Camden’s downtown and strode toward the church, where they filled the front pews.

The baccalaureate, a tradition originating in the Middle Ages, is a worship service honoring education and learning.

For Camden Hills, the tradition has continued for decades, and is multi-denominational, with clergy representing the Chestnut Street Baptist, St. Thomas' Episcopal, First Universalist and Congregational churches, and the Adas Yoshuron Synagogue.

The processional files into the church, and with Camden’s baccalaureate, it is the Congregational Church’s minister who gives a welcome to the seniors and families.

This year, Rev. Kevin Pleas stuck with the times, turned his back to the congregation filling the pews, held up his cellphone, and snapped a selfie, with the community behind him.

He told them, “You deserve all the credit that people are giving you, but you have not done this on your own. Pulling yourself up by your bootstraps is a myth. I hope you remember your parents, teachers and others. We stand on everyone’s shoulders.”

The baccalaureate included readings, words, offerings, hymns (Amazing Grace), choral songs, choral bells and a response prayer giving thanks for learning, teachers, family, friends, singing, diversity, talents and dreams.

Call to Prayer

Leader: It takes all kinds of instruction to open our minds and enlighten us.

People: We give thanks this day for our learning.

Leader: It takes many varied mentors to show us the way.

People: We give thanks to our family, friends and special teachers.

Leader: It takes all kinds of music to sing humanity’s song.

People: We give thanks this day for our singing.

Leader: It takes a tapestry of people to create a school environment and build community to inhabit a diverse and wonderful world.

People: We give thanks this day for our diversity, for all who are our brothers and sisters.

Leader: It takes a multiplicity of skills to keep a team playing, to keep businesses booming, to keep families thriving, to keep our spirits growing.

People: We give thanks this day for our talents, which are truly gifts.

Leader: It takes many different dreams to turn ideas into reality, to shape a future filled with joy, peace and accomplishment. We must never forget to dream and then to do.

People: We give thanks this day for our hopes and our dreams.

All: How good it is to join together in a spirit of unity and gratitude.

The rest of the week for seniors includes;

June 4, Wednesday 

Senior final exams

Fifth marching practice and Senior Field Day

June 5, Thursday

Senior exam make- up day 

Awards Night — 7:30 p.m. - Strom Auditorium

June 6, Friday

Parent/Senior Breakfast — 7:45-8:45 a.m. - Cafe

Final Marching Practice*** with Symphonic Band — 9 a.m. - Gym ***Attendance is mandatory to participate in the graduation ceremony

 Graduation — 7:59-9:15 pm - Gym Seniors arrive, meet in Wrestling Room

A reception in the Wave Cafe´ follows the ceremony