Kaitlin Walsh Chosen as Commencement Speaker

Iowa Lakes Community College Softball team saw six of their athletes cross the stage and receive their diplomas Friday night. Sophomore first baseman, Kaitlin Walsh, was also selected by the school to provide the commencement speech at the ceremony.

Walsh has had an impactful two years at Iowa Lakes. On the field, she has posted a .357 batting average, including a team high .429 average this season. She has played in 85 games for the Lakers, where she has racked up 85 hits, including 15 doubles, 1 triple, and 13 homeruns. She has crossed the plate 60 times, while scoring 67 of her teammates. For her efforts this season, Kaitlin was awarded 2nd Team All-Region this season. She was also named to the Academic All-Region 1st team last season.

Kaitlin has also been very influential in the Iowa Lakes and Estherville communities. At Iowa Lakes, she was a presidential scholar and President of Student Senate. Through her position as Student Senate President, Kaitlin had the responsibility to coordinate many student engagement activities. She was also in charge of organizing and participating in numerous community service projects. Two of these included, laying mulch for the City of Estherville and a canned food drive for Upper Des Moines. Through the softball team, Kaitlin volunteered at Demoney Elementary and the Mobile Food Pantry. She also provided toys to Upper Des Moines during the Christmas season and volunteered at the Fright Hike.

"Kaitlin was the ideal choice to speak to her peers this year because she is an example of the many different ways success can be achieved here at Iowa Lakes Community College. I have had the privilege to witness her leadership skills as her coach and student senate advisor and have enjoyed hearing from faculty and staff about her positive presence on campus. I am confident that Kaitlin will be an ambassador of Iowa Lakes as she continues her education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. We have been fortunate to have her as part of our history as a softball program. She is the epitome of a student-athlete and a role-model for future Iowa Lakes softball players. She will be greatly missed at Iowa Lakes next year." Commented Larson.