[Madeline Laskoski is the president of the Goshen Central High School Class of 2009. She gave the following welcoming address at Goshen High School's 117th Annual Commencement on June 26, 2009.]

Good Evening. I’m Maddie Laskoski, the president of the Class of 2009, and it is my pleasure to welcome the Clergy, the School Board, the Administration, the parents, and of course the graduates to the 117th Commencement Exercise of Goshen Central High School.

Kate Louise Brown once wrote a poem entitled, “The Little Plant.” It reads:
“In the heart of a seed buried deep, so deep, a dear little plant lay fast asleep. “Wake!” said the sunshine “And creep to the light,” “Wake!” said the voice of the raindrops bright. The little plant heard and it rose to see, what the wonderful outside world might be.”

There’s no doubt, graduates, that we all started as little seedlings, comfortably buried under 12 years of schooling. But with each birthday party, each chorus concert, each locker combination, each rec. soccer game, each school dance, each triple play, and each dream, we worked our way closer to this point—look at yourselves ‘09, you’re no longer seedlings! Today is the day you blossom into something more. It’s finally time to go out into the world, and grow even more beautiful with all your success.

Now, it won’t always be sunny; I promise, there will be rain along the way. Life always has challenges, but these challenges help us grow. Embrace the rain because it makes the sunshine that much more special.

And, most importantly, we must never forget our roots. No matter how far we travel, or what we become, we will always remember the community that has nurtured us throughout our youth. We will always be firmly planted in Goshen.

It’s been a long time coming, ’09, but I’m proud to say that looking at all of you right now, you’ve grown into the most beautiful garden. Congratulations!