VALEDICTORIAN
ROSE GOYETTE Rose Goyette, a graduate of Winston Churchill Middle School, was selected from the top ten percent of her graduating class. She was a member of the Chamber Singers, the cross country and track teams where she was Captain of the throwing team. She was also a Big Sister and St. Francis Ambassador. Rose’s future goals include becoming a teacher or advocate as it is in her nature to support and nurture others to help them be their best selves. Her use of words and command of the English language are true gifts that she will no doubt continue to develop as she moves on to the University of California, Berkeley where she plans on majoring in English. The following is Rose’s valedictory address given at the Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2021. Good evening to Bishop Soto, the Board of Trustees, President Rodgers, Principal Mendoza, administrators, teachers, coaches, parents, distinguished alumnae, including my grandmother, Barbara Wakefield Goyette, Troubie Class of 1952, and of course, my fellow classmates. My name is Rose Goyette and I am honored to pay tribute to the Class of 2021 as your valedictorian. We did it. I am beyond proud of each and every one of you for getting this far. This wasn’t the senior year we envisioned, or the senior year I think any of you deserved. But let’s not let that take away from our big moment. Let’s take time to reflect on our past together, to see how we’ve belonged to each other. Most importantly, to recognize how we can build on what we’ve learned within this community as we move into the next chapter of our lives. We are a faith that belongs to each other by definition. The word “catholic” comes from the Latin word “Catholicus” meaning “universal,” or “of the whole”. We are all-embracing. This means having open hearts and open minds, an idea that is well-supported by the four pillars we know and love: Faith, Excellence, Leadership, and Service. We used Faith from the moment we took our first steps on campus. Corinthians 5:7 says “For we walk by faith, not by sight,” and we did exactly that. Simbas arrived at St. Francis much the way we arrive into the world, confused, a little afraid, and knowing absolutely nothing. From navigating Naviance to remembering which shoes to wear at Mass, we frequently relied on the counsel of others, believing things we hadn’t yet seen. We believed together, in our community, and in each other. We will continue to take this faith and move on with it, as we grow and find our places in this world. We will trust in new people, new places, new opportunities. The faith we developed here will move us forward onto even bigger and better things. Keep that faith with you always. Our class quickly learned to aim for Excellence: “Whatever you do, work heartily as for the Lord and not for men.” (Colossians 3:23) At SF, we knew to expect the very best of each other, striving to be what God saw in us. Sophomore year 10
Simbas roared onto the Troubie scene, exceeding expectations with our homecoming skit. From that point on, our openness to going above and beyond pushed us to new heights. We excelled as a group, winning state championships on stage and soil, breaking athletic records, challenging assumptions. We learned here at St. Francis that excellence goes beyond mere accomplishment. It is about having the courage to do things excellently, even if we are alone in our task. As we leave this place, we will encounter more assumptions meant to be challenged. Our excellence will be doubted, but we will persevere, because we have been prepared to pave the way. In this way, we are leaders. As we grew at St. Francis, we became role models for those around us. Junior year got weird, fast, with the pandemic’s abrupt entrance, but we found ways to stay connected. When hate tried to divide our world, and when personal pain was posted for all to see, we listened and empathized; we supported our sisters. As Matthew, 7:12, tells us: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you”. We stepped up, making leadership about representation and community. We took care of each other because we are nothing without each other, leading to make life better for others. Most importantly, in that moment, we didn’t let our age stop us. Students took the lead in the call for leadership and action. We now enter the world with this same call for leadership, and I am confident that all of you, wherever you end up, will find a way to lead your community with justice and love. Finally, our time at St. Francis taught us to serve others. Matthew 23:11 reminds us, “The greatest among you will be your servant.” Leaders serve, and never was this more evident than our senior year, as Mr. Poggi and his department of admissions aces worked bravely in this new world of college counseling, writing letters, answering questions, endlessly uploading. We watched our staff work hard for our futures, all by virtue of virtual reality. We learned through their example how service makes us whole, as individuals and as a community. Now it is time for us to carry that lesson with us into our adulthood. I
