ROCKLAND – Five students graduated from Wayfinder School’s Passages Program, in Camden, June 13 at the First Universalist Church in Rockland. Erica Gates, Passages director, welcomed Wayfinder staff, family and friends as the graduates walked down the aisle in cap and gown to receive their diplomas.

“These girls were faced with such adversity,” Gates said. “Anyone of them could have easily given up and none of them did. And that is a true testament to their character. They are strong and determined and powerful.”

Martha Kempe, head of schools for Wayfinder, said the five women graduating were all from the Midcoast.

“Last night we graduated five who live in the southern part of Maine,” she said. “And last Monday we graduated two who live in Washington County.”

Kempe said Wayfinder works with youth who, for whatever reason, face a difficult challenge or are at risk of not completing high school.

“With Passages, most of our students are parents who were struggling to stay in regular school,” she said. “They have to take care of children, many of them have to work and transportation can be difficult. With all that it’s difficult to stay in school.”

Wayfinder School was founded as the Community School in the 1970s. The school has been incorporating its Passages home-based program since 1994.

Dora Lievow and Emanuel Pariser founded The Community School in 1973, and F. Forrest Pease established Opportunity Farm in 1910 in New Gloucester. 

The two schools merged in 2011 and officially changed their name to Wayfinder in 2013.

Kempe said the program is now in eight counties.

“We serve students in Androscoggin, Cumberland, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Waldo Washington, and York counties,” she said.

Instructors paid tribute to the graduates exemplifying their hard work and determination before presenting them with their diplomas.

The graduates then paid tribute to their instructors and their family members with short speeches and certificates of appreciation. 

Kempe closed the ceremony by congratulating the graduates for taking a step as to who they are and who they want to be.

“All of your teachers here at passages and Wayfinder Schools are here for you as you make your way in the world,” she said. “We at Wayfinder Schools are part of your journey and always will be a part of your journey. You will be in our hearts always.”