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Ask the Superintendent - July 9, 2008
On Friday evening, June 27, the 116th Annual
Commencement Ceremony was held at the Historic Track
for the 2008 graduating class. After threatening
weather clouded most of the afternoon, the sky
cleared just as the graduates processed onto the
track. It was a beautiful evening, a beautiful
ceremony, and an event that has become a traditional
community event.
Family and friends of the graduating class listened
to six speeches, delivered by the Student Senate
President and the Honor Graduates. The speeches were
outstanding and captured the personality of the
Class of 2008. This class had the largest graduation
ratio over the past 12 years. It is a class with
direction, ambition and goals. Many spent their time
and energy helping people they never met while
working with Habitat for Humanity, volunteering at
food drives for the local food pantry, and assisting
local animal shelters. Several achieved academic
success and athletic accomplishments and others
showcased their talents in music and the arts. Among
the Class of 2008 are:
- 24 Members of
the National Honor Society
- 6 Members of
the National Vocational Technical Honor Society
- 19 Members of
the Foreign Language Honor Society
- 6 Eagle Scouts
- 2 Girl Scout
Gold Award Winners
- 4 Members of
the Goshen Fire Companies and GOVAC Ambulance
Corps.
- 9 students who
received Academic Recognition, Wednesday evening
at the C-Tech Graduation, one of them received
the most prestigious Silver Award.
- Athletes who
have proudly worn Goshen’s colors on the fields,
mountains, on the courts, on the golf courses,
and in the gymnasiums throughout the state of
New York, competing in League, County, Sectional
and State competitions –
- Talented
musicians, singers, actors and dancers including
5 students recognized in All-County and Area
All-State performances.
- Artists and
craftsmen who are very accomplished, including
winners of the New York State Olympics of the
Visual Arts Competition.
- Individuals
who have dedicated thousands of hours in
volunteer service tutoring other students,
- Students who
have worked exceptionally hard with
ever-increasing local and state demands to
complete their graduation requirements. 77% of
this class will be receiving a Regents Diploma.
Of those almost half will receive a Regents
Diploma with Honors.
In addition to the
66 scholarships that were awarded during graduation,
various achievements, honors and recognitions –
approximately $30,000 – were presented this past
school year at Academic Awards Night and Class Day.
Over the past four years, the sum of these awards
and other college-based scholarships is now in the
millions of dollars.
From the ranks of this class:
- 84% of the
graduates will attend 2- or 4-year colleges to
further their education
- 3 Students are
entering the armed services
- 11% have
decided to seek employment opportunities – most
are already employed.
In his presentation of the class, Principal Robert
Litz said, “This is a special group, Active, yes!
Mischievous at times, yes! - But when you compile
the data, they are bright, kind, compassionate, and
goal-oriented. They have done well and our future is
in good hands. I believe we will hear of great
accomplishments by the Class of 2008. I wish them
well.”
Graduation at Goshen is truly a special event. It is
always satisfying to watch our students heading off
into the world, knowing that their experiences at
Goshen have helped shape them into the fine young
adults that they have become. I hope that they carry
with them fond memories of their time spent as a
Goshen student. In closing, I would like to echo Mr.
Litz’s sentiments and wish the members of the Class
of 2008 all the best in their future endeavors.
Roy Reese
Superintendent of Schools
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