Mark Ebmeier, Laurel-Concord-Coleridge School Alumni President, presented Melissa (Smith) Graham, '02, the LCC Alumna of the Year award at the annual banquet Saturday night held in the High School Commons at LCC School.
The following is the speech Melissa gave following the presentation:
"Laurel has always been special to me. Fond memories of community plays, Ag Days, the Centennial, Friday night lights, Wednesday morning lenten breakfasts with friends. And while my classmates would talk about how they couldn't wait to get out of town I would say I can't wait to come back. It’s home. And like any home worth its salt, it's the people who make it what it is. I learned that lesson early.
"When I was just 12 years old, my world shifted in a way I couldn’t have prepared for. My dad Larry Smith, class of 69’ passed away. But what I remember most from that painful time isn’t just the loss — it’s the love. This community showed up in full force with a benefit that helped us with our medical bills, living expenses and wrapped us in care. I can still feel the warmth of that day, the community planned a huge event with many silent auction items and a celebrity basketball game with KTCH and the Laurel-Concord teachers and staff. Those memories of kindness, love and hope have stayed with me ever since. Laurel didn’t just help us — Laurel carried us through a difficult time.
"As a sophomore in high school, I was — believe it or not — shy. Like, really shy. Then something great happened. Our school brought back the FFA program thanks to forward-thinking administration and community partners. FFA gave me a voice. It helped me grow into the loud, slightly wild, community-loving person I am today. FFA didn’t just teach me about agriculture — it taught me how to lead, to speak up, and to care about the people around me. I am forever grateful for the group of people that saw the value in bringing the program back to our school and investing in the youth.
"One of the greatest examples of community leadership I’ve ever witnessed was right in my own home. My mom — a woman who started as a study hall supervisor — stepped way outside her comfort zone (I think after I begged her not to be my study hall supervisor because let's face it those study hall supervisors were tough in the 90's) to become Laurel’s economic developer. I watched her transform into a force of nature, earning statewide recognition for different projects she spearheaded, even being invited on a visit to China with the Governor of Nebraska. And yet, she never made it about herself. She always gave credit to her advisory board, her mentors, and the people of Laurel — because she knew what I’ve come to know: that true success in a small town is shared success.
"And that’s what makes Laurel so special. This community believes in progress — not just change for change’s sake, but growth rooted in care. We’ve rallied together to build a new pool, safe routes to school, a walking trail, invest in the expansion of our school, built a new fire hall, revitalize downtown, and support programs like Building Blocks, Night of Lights, Ag Days and my business for the last 21 years. And we come together in love when families lose someone too soon — just like mine once did. That’s not just a town — that’s a legacy.
"These are just some of the examples of what has shaped me through the years here and have driven me to take part in the things I have, but it really is a group effort not just one person, it takes a village or a community to come together and put these events on to volunteer, to take the lead on a project to make the hard decisions to take risks. And sometimes they don't always come easy, sometimes they come with resistance or ruffling feathers, but it can also come with fun memories, personal growth, swallowing one's pride, and patience.
"For the past 132 years, Laurel has been doing what so many communities struggle to do — evolving while staying connected. We honor our past while pushing toward the future. And let me tell you, that inspires me every single day to keep showing up, to keep making silly promotional videos of Poly Ester, and to keep that Laurel spirit alive, like so many have done before us in this community.
"So thank you — not just for this award, but for being the kind of town that raises its people up, believes in them, and cheers them on. I am proud to be from Laurel, Nebraska. I always will be."
