CAMDEN — Bob Josselyn, of Hope, was thumbing through the online listings of e-bay a few months ago, something he does periodically, with his notifications set to Camden, Maine. Whether coincidence or synchronicity, he got lucky. An image of the Megunticook Yearbook for the Camden High School Class of 1925 popped up, and $2 later, it was his.

Of course he was intrigued, but even more so, his grandfather's name was front and center in the Commencement issue, as well as in a photo of the Class of 1925. There are a number of faces in the 1925 Megunticook yearbook, young faces that quickly became adults, had (hopefully) full lives with families and community before they eventually passed away.

It is not easy to tell who is who; still, there may be some in the community who recognize the 1925 graduates and can help identify them.

An accompanying page lists the graduates, albeit without their first names. The page also lists their nicknames and favorite phrases.

One hundred years later, the Class of 2025 is graduating June 6, beginning at 8:59 p.m. Like their  predecessors — some perhaps were ancestors — are full of life, dreams, goals and hopes. We could see that in their faces Monday evening, June 2, at the annual  Baccalaureate march through downtown Camden.

Seniors on the cusp of graduating into adulthood are the same across the centuries. Their sentiments are probably pretty similar, as well. Even if it was the printed word in 1925 and today it is short videos on YouTube, or snatches of conversation in texting to each other.

In 1925, the Class History essay of itself, written by Senior Llewellyn Diplock, said:

"This class has been very popular in athletics during the entire four years in high school, being well represented by both the girls and boys. 

"Debating was continued this year. Three of the team were from the Senior class and represented in the Bates Interscholastic League, at Bates College.

"After many clashes of opinion, a Senior play was decided upon, and, 'The Dutch Detective', which was finally chosen, proved to be very successful and enjoyed by all.

"Now tonight, as we stand on the summit, all of our joys and sorrows are memories of the past, and as we look into the future, we realize that although we have finished oour course in Camden High School, we are just beginning the course of life, that there are other mountains to be climbed and higher summits to reach, so —."

Various members of the Class of 1925 wrote prosacially about their time as children and passage toward adulthood, and counseled the younger grades. Merton Ames quoted Ben Franklin about "the good education of youth," and added his own words: "....We find four different kinds of education development which are necessary in life; namely, physical, which tends to keep one's body fit; aesthetic, which teaches us to choose the correct kind of art and literature; moral, which aids us in manner, conduct, and behavior; and intellectual, which gives us power of understanding."

The Class was also witty, as were many of that era, taking delight in limericks and the spoken and written word. Doris Quinn and Herbert Gunnarson were responsible for assembling Class Gifts, the origin of which they compiled while strolling the beach near Sherman's Point while they were rambling on about pirates and Captain Kidd.

And so, they began to will fates to their classmates. For example, to Chester Hansen: "The Captain bequeaths to you a ruler, for your achievements as a carpenter. It is not a Golden Rule, but if you follow it you will always go straight."

To Louise Wentworth, they wrote" Capt. Kidd hands down to you this radio broadcasting set. Evidently he knows what a debater you are. When you are using this set for broadcasting your debates, you are to use it for your suffragette speeches, too."

And for Horace Josselyn: "Capt. Kidd gives you a plain arrow. On it reads, 'Cupid shot this.' Well, Horace, with this arrow and your Pierce, you should have a wonderful combination, in fact, a Pierce-Arrow."

Hats off (mortar boards tossed!) to the memory of the Seniors of the Class of 1925, and to the Class of 2025. Go forth with delight, care for your world and community, and share the bounty of your strong intellects and compassion! May future generations find comfort and inspiration when they come upon your Class of 2025 Yearbook.

Barbara F. Dyer wrote about the schools of earlier days in her column, "Goodbye to Old Schools"