Her valedictory speech follows:

Good morning and Happy Mother's Day. Today we are here to celebrate the graduation of the C.W. Post Class of 2008. This is a tremendous accomplishment for us as graduates as well as a moment of pride for our family, loved ones, professors, coaches and staff who have guided us along the way helping us to recognize our potential and discover who we are.

This ceremony is not an ending, nor a beginning, but rather, one of many milestones to be reached along life’s journey. It is a point at which to pause, reflect on, and celebrate all that we’ve achieved, and finally, a time to prepare ourselves for the next leg of our journey.

As graduates we have opened the door to endless possibilities. We are equipped with not only a degree symbolizing our educational achievement but with a myriad of experiences that have made us who we are. Take time to reflect on these special moments, both large and small, that have shaped us thus far: the classes that sparked our interest and captivated our attention, all the long nights that blurred into early morning hours, Thursday nights that spilled into Friday mornings at the club, lingering conversations over Winnick meals that often were a therapeutic break from the insanity of work that awaited, homecomings, Pratt After Dark, midnight breakfast, winning championships on our home fields, traveling to away meets in the CW Post vans, basking in the sun on the great lawn on beautiful spring afternoons, endless text messages, Facebook postings, and IM chats. Continue to build on the memories you've made, the friendships you've formed, the lessons you learned. These are the memories that we will have forever.

It is important to remember, especially today, that life is a journey, not a destination. We must not strive only for our goals, but embrace our experiences as well. In life, you should be both the driver and the passenger. As the driver, take control of your destiny and venture where you dare. Your motivation and determination can take you anywhere. Let your imagination be limitless. Dream. Believe. Become. But don't forget to sit back and take in the scenery too. Life can pass you by if you only look forward. When it’s time to take finals, it’s important to study hard and prepare for exams, but studying out in the sun on Post’s lawns while enjoying a refreshing ice cream cone from Winnick also is necessary. Then once you've handed in your last blue book it’s okay to have some fun. So, experience life to the fullest. If you work hard and play hard, life will be both rewarding and enjoyable.

Be an active participant in life. Make use of the unique talents and abilities that you have been given. At the same time do not be discouraged when something is difficult, nor fear the unknown. Instead, be bold and take on a new adventure; seek out the challenge and see where it may lead you. As you continue your quest for knowledge, never stop wondering and dare to question. I am truly grateful that my chemistry professor, the late Dr. Joan Shields, never discouraged me from asking "what if?" It is the "what ifs?" that create solutions, challenge status quo, and raise us to a higher consciousness. Thank you Dr. Shields. May your spirit live on in the many students whose lives you have touched.

Do not become complacent and apathetic to the world around you. It is time to apply what you have learned. This is a presidential election year. Regardless of the candidate you choose; what matters most is that you vote. Whoever wins will be influencing the country for the next four years, and will undoubtedly play a great part in determining your future. Will your job market be strong? Will housing on Long Island be affordable? Will you be able to afford gas, or even worse, still be dependent on it? Will more of us be sent overseas to war? The answers to these questions and more will depend on the outcome of this election. Exercise your American privilege to vote in the upcoming election.

Some people have a bleak outlook of our world. Our country is engaged in war, the economy is weak, gas prices continue to escalate, global warming threatens the environment, and the list goes on. The Class of 2008 however, has been endowed with the knowledge and responsibility to go out into the world and partake in making a difference. Envision the world you want and make it happen. The world has a lot to offer and we have much to be thankful for. We live in a technologically advanced world where disease is relatively low and life expectancy is high. Our conveniences include iPods, cell phones, and hand held computers all in one. We are of an age where scientific experiments can be carried out in space and where curing genetic diseases is foreseeable. C.W. Post has given us an education and equipped us with the tools to make an impact and better the world around us.

The best way to thank those who have made today possible is to utilize your education. At this time I would like to specifically thank those who have contributed to my success.

To my family, thank you Mom for all your support. You have always believed in me no matter what I chose to do; to my Dad, my passion for science is attributed to you; to my siblings please never live in my shadow: Ricky Coldplay "Talk"; Kristie you are my twin born eight years later, it’s pretty cool and kind of scary; Katie you are truly special, thanks for being my number one fan; To my loving boyfriend Joey, you are my puzzle piece, I find strength in you and our relationship; To my Dziadzi, dziękują and ja cie kocham.

To my track team, we put up a fight both on the track and on campus. You are my second family. Thanks for the support, laughs, and many memorable runs, races and road trips.

And last but not least, thank you to my three most influential professors, Dr. Draud, Dr. Pereyra, and especially Dr. Melkonian. You not only taught me valuable lab techniques but also embraced my unquenchable desire to understand, answered my endless questions, and were instrumental in my acceptance into a graduate Ph.D. program.

On behalf of your salutatorians Bailey Stark and Ambar Arancibia, I and all the graduates today, a special thank you to everyone who is in attendance, because of you, this day is possible.

I see before me today the future. I see teachers, health care professionals, scientists, lawyers, business leaders, entrepreneurs, journalists and broadcasters, artists and musicians eagerly awaiting their degrees, awaiting their much deserved hugs and congratulations, awaiting their turn to make the world a better place. The wait is over C.W. Post Class of 2008, the future is ours. Congratulations again and good luck wherever your journey may lead you!