WINDHAM — Gov. John Lynch gave his last commencement speech as governor to the first graduating class of the new Windham High School.

Lynch reminisced about his own high school days before computers, iPods, and other electronics. He told students to take advantage of opportunities, take risks without being afraid to fail and to continue to give back to the community.

“It's an exciting time in your life and the opportunities before you are endless, if you choose to take advantage of them,” Lynch said.

Using the example of Abraham Lincoln, he advised the 124 students in the graduating class to learn from failure and never give up.

“Failure is a part of life,” Lynch said. “You never want to experience it, but don't wallow in it.”

Instead, failure can be a learning experience that leads to greater success on alternate paths, he said.

Valedictorian and class president Matthew Cotton told his fellow graduates to be proud of their accomplishments and the traditions they set while looking to the future with anticipation.

“We are the trail blazers,” Cotton said, “We have accomplished more together in three short years than any of us could have imagined.”

Now it's time to embrace the future with open arms without forgetting the path that has taken them there, Cotton said.

Principal Thomas Murphy also acknowledged that the students had accomplished a lot, and become a family since the school opened its doors. Windham will always be their home, Murphy said, and urged the students to continue their good work to make a difference in the world around them.

“Remember, you will be defined by what you do,” Murphy said.

Salutatorian James Tilley reminded his classmates that as the first class they set the foundation and the culture that future classes will be measured against. In life, they should continue to strive for excellence and pour their hearts and souls into whatever they choose to pursue in life, Tilley said.

“All who are confident in their potential achieve more than they expected, more than anyone expected,” Tilley said.

In his remarks to the graduates, Superintendent Henry LaBranche praised them for the standard of excellence they had set for future classes, and told them as life goes on unique life experiences would define each of them. They'll do more than make a difference, LaBranche said.

“I want you to make the difference,” LaBranche said.

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Julie Hanson may be reached at Jhanson@newstote.com.