CAMDEN — In high spirits, the Camden Hills Regional High School Class of 2024 marched through Downtown Camden June 3, and the community was right there with them, clapping and shouting encouragements with endless enthusiasm, all for the Seniors.

It was their moment, and rightly so. The Seniors were graduating into adulthood, and these in particular, had seen much over the past four years – they are the generation that carried through with their studies while Covid abruptly changed their lives, and mankind got crazier than ever.

But by Monday at 5:30 p.m. sharp it was time to signal that this generation was ready to move out into the world.  The Seniors fixed mortar boards to their heads, slipped into black gowns and set on down the road. Some wore shorts, some fancy dresses; some sported fashionable sunglasses, others ribboned braids. Some were barefoot, some in high heels, sneakers or Birkenstocks. 

There was no doubt that the Class of 2024 was stylish. They bore an affinity for laughter, and filled the streets with pageantry and flair. 

Cars halted, their drivers pulling over to the side of Route 1 (those from away were a little dazed and confused until they caught the gist of the celebration), as the high school seniors appropriated the road, waving to their families and friends who lined the sidewalks as they strode past.

The Baccalaureate march is widely anticipated as June approaches, and marks the beginning of Graduation Week for the seniors at CHRHS, the public high school for Appleton, Camden, Hope, Lincolnville and Rockport students. 

Lead by Bagpiper Catherine Pearce and Class Marshals William Duke and Elise Mahar, Class of 2024 made their way from the Camden-Rockport Middle School to Cross Street, and along Route 1 to the Elm Street Congregational Church for the Baccalaureate.

There, the Seniors and family settled into pews for for interdenominational prayer and thanks. The baccalaureate is an academic and spiritual tradition with roots in the Middle Ages, and honors education and learning. 

For Camden Hills, the tradition has continued for decades, with clergy representing the Chestnut Street Baptist, St. Thomas' Episcopal, John Street United Methodist, the First Congregational Church of Camden, Adas Yoshuron Synagogue and St. Brendan the Navigator Parish.

Rev. Patty Fox, of the Congregational Church, delivered the welcome, followed by a call for prayer, a singing of the Quaker hymn, Simple Gifts, a dedication, music, scripture readings, an offering (like last year, the offering was collected for the Landing Place, a shelter, with $646.80 donated); Words for the Seniors were delivered by Rev. Adam Kohlstrom, Pastor of the Chestnut Street Baptist Church, and Rabbi Lorin Tradesman, of the Adas Yoshuron Synagogue. St. Brendan the Navigator Parish Father Anthanasius Sangnyuy Wirsiy delivered the benediction.

On the organ was Matthew Mainster.

Graduation is to take place June 7, at 5:59 p.m., at the high school.