Wiscasset Middle High School senior Arieanna Mills said she couldn't believe she was less than a week from graduating. Others at Saturday’s Wiscasset High School Alumni Banquet in Stover Auditorium were feeling fortunate they were up to attending, a half century or more after graduating. And some alumni were surprised their classmates still recognized them.

"I just feel lucky to be alive," said Class of 1952's Barbara Sanborn, sitting at one of the long tables and talking with classmate Arlene Steen in the social hour. Down the table, classmate Roy Barnes was looking at a photo Ben Rines Jr., Class of 1971, was taking around.

Rines said Seaver and Anne Leslie gave him it. It showed his grandfather Archie Rines's blacksmith shop in the 1930s or 1940s, near one of the schooners Hesper and Luther Little.

About two dozen members of the Class of 1968 celebrated the class's 50-year mark, including Wiscasset's Tom Beane. "I'm grateful ... so many of us could be here."

The class had a special guest, its senior year English teacher Jonathan Robbins. That was his first of 31 years teaching in Wiscasset.

Robbins said he never would have survived as a teacher if he hadn't had that class. "They were so supportive, and they listened to my stories," he recalled over the dinner Sarah's Cafe catered and underclassmen and others helped serve to line after line of classes.

Alumni Association Secretary Sheila Sawyer said 215 alumni and guests turned out. Among them were generations of alumni, including Edgecomb Fire Chief Roy Potter, Class of 1986, daughter and Class of 2018 member Leah Potter and her grandmother Marsha Potter, who Leah said is also a Wiscasset alumna. Leah noted she has three younger siblings who will add to the family's Wiscasset alumni.

Class of 1980's Chip Davison and daughter Samantha Davison, Class of 2011, continued their tradition of attending and said they hope more alumni in the later classes will start coming also.

Class of 1985’s Matt Gordon said he wanted to show his support for daughter Lindsey, president of this year’s graduating class. “I'm proud of her and proud of all she’s accomplished as a leader, academically and in school activities and school athletics,” he added. “And I know she’s ready to move onto the next steps in her life,” including joining the corps of cadettes at Norwich University in Vermont, he said.

Joining the classes Saturday night was Superintendent of Schools Heather Wilmot, beginning her last month in the job. She sat at the head table with husband Noah and WMHS Principal Peg Armstrong, who has her 40th anniversary as a Maranacook High School, Readfield graduate this year.