CAMDEN — Traffic halted along Route 1 in downtown Camden this evening, June 4, to allow the Camden Hills Regional High School Class of 2018 march through the streets, marking the beginning of graduation ceremonies and festivities that will last through the week until commencement, Friday evening, June 8.

The march began at Camden-Rockport Middle School, with the seniors, in their caps and gowns, striding down Knowlton Street to Mechanic Street, where they turned left, walked over Bakery Bridge to Washington Street, turned right and went over Tannery Lane to meet up with Route 1, just across the street from the Camden Public Library’s park.

This year, umbrellas of all colors fit like a dome over the class, as a gentle rain fell and a brisk, chilling breeze blew through the late afternoon.

But the smiles were just as broad as always, as friends and family, and the community, cheered them forward. 

Lead by bagpipes, clergy and their marshals — Robert Edison Carroll and Sarah Cashman Contento — the seniors walked down the middle of Route 1 through town, and up to the First Congregational Church, where they gathered with their families for interdenominational prayer and thanks.

The baccalaureate is an academic and spiritual tradition with roots in the Middle Ages, and honors education and learning.

Every June, Camden Hills repeats the parade and church gathering on the Monday preceding the Friday evening graduation, which always begins at 7:59 p.m., in the high school gym.

Under the guidance of English teacher Todd Williams, graduation week is a joyful celebration for seniors and families, but the baccalaureate is for the community, which turns out in force to applaud the graduates.

Some graduates wore heels, some barn or biker boots, and some wore red sneakers or blue Crocs. And as always, they were beautiful and handsome and perfect — ready for what lies ahead.

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

At the Congregational Church, families squeezed into pews behind the seniors, and up in the balcony, listening, responding, and singing.

The call for prayer at the church follows:

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 dreams.

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

Reach Editorial Director Lynda Clancy at 207-706-6657; lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com