CAMDEN — Watershed School graduated five seniors in a personalized commencement ceremony at the Camden Snow Bowl on Saturday, June 12. After successfully completing a year of in-person learning with no Covid 19 cases, Watershed students, families, alumni, and friends eagerly gathered at the outdoor ceremony, which took place on the Snow Bowl’s back deck.

“We made it through challenges unforeseen and not easily overcome – the fear, uncertainty, and confusion of the global pandemic was met with calm, clarity, patience, flexibility, and support from this community,” said Will Galloway, Head of School, in a speech to the audience.  “We are stronger now, clearer in our purpose and teaching practice, our mission has been reaffirmed over and over again by the actions of all of you here today.  It has been an honor.”

The close-knit graduates received hand-painted custom-made diplomas, created for them by fellow students. Each graduate prepared a short speech, in which they highlighted special moments in their education, thanked their families, friends, and faculty, and spoke about how being a part of the Watershed community  has helped them step into young adulthood as capable, confident citizens of the world.

All of the students are moving on to higher education next year: Caleb Edwards will be attending Berklee College of Music; Cameron Hedstrom will be attending the University of King’s College; Alden Lewis will be attending the University of Maine, Orono; Morgan Macdougal will be attending Dalhousie University; and Sarah Morgan will be attending Connecticut College.

Watershed School is an independent high school located in Camden, serving students who are looking for a challenging academic program in the context of a supportive and enthusiastic school culture. A Watershed education is built on the principle that exceptional individual growth develops out of strong teacher-student relationships within the context of a close-knit community. Faculty concentrate on knowing each student in the school — in terms of learning style, interests, attitude toward learning, challenges, and aspirations — so they can help develop each student’s full potential. The democratic nature of the community develops skills leading to effective citizenship and fosters a healthy affection and sense of responsibility for the school, thereby increasing student openness toward learning, toward each other, and toward adults. The attitudes fostered at Watershed School prepare students for a lifetime of learning and for involvement in local communities and the larger world.

Watershed is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, is a Maine State Approved High School, and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).

For more information, please visit watershed-school.org or call 207-230-7341.