Post on 23-Sep-2020
In this issue2006 Graduation
Something Different
Braillers in Malawi
How to Help
F A L L 2 0 0 6
The Lantern
Perkins School for the Blind175 North Beacon StreetWatertown, MA 02472
www.perkins.org
Tel: 617.924.3434Fax: 617.972.7334
All we see is possibility.
Editor: Robert Guthrie
Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage
PAIDWorcester, MAPermit No. 2
TheLantern
Perkins School for the
Blind was incorporated
March 2, 1829. The school is
an accredited member of the New England
Association of Schools and Colleges and
the National Association of Independent
Schools. It is licensed by the Massachusetts
Departments of Education and Mental
Retardation and by the Commonwealth’s
Department of Early Education and Care.
Perkins School for the Blind admits
students of any race, gender, color, creed,
national and ethnic origin to all the rights,
privileges, programs, and activities generally
accorded or made available to students at the
school. It does not discriminate on the basis of
race, gender, color, creed, national or ethnic
origin in the administration of its educational
policies, scholarship, athletic and other school-
administered programs.
Change Service Requested
.............
.............
PE R K I N S SC H O O L F O R T H E BL I N DMr. and Mrs. Nathan KeyfitzMr. Donald J. KranzMr. and Mrs. Miles KulukundisMr. Michael P. KurtzMr. Philip L. LaddMr. and Mrs. Theodore LevittMr. Martin Linsky and Ms. Lynn Staley
Mr. and Mrs. John LowellMr. and Mrs. William A. LowellMrs. Arthur T. Lyman, Jr.Mr. Julio J. MarenghiMr. and Mrs. Bill MatthewsMr. Bryant S. McBrideMr. and Mrs. William McQuaideMr. and Mrs. Gregory MesmerMr. Robert MiletiMs. Anne Cooke MitchellMs. Lois M. MongeMr. and Mrs. Ernest H. MonradDr. and Mrs. William R.
MoomawMr. and Mrs. David W. MurrayMr. Richard NakashianMr. and Mrs. H. Gilman
Nichols, Jr.Mr. and Mrs. Herbert OedelMr. Siddharth PatelMr. Richard W. PaullMr. and Mrs. Roland F. PeaseMr. Jerry PerlMr. Robert A. PhippsMs. Mary PinheiroMr. and Mrs. Charles C. J. PlattMs. Marie C. PolcariMr. and Mrs. Richard K. PondMr. and Mrs. W. David PowerMr. Michael P. QuercioMs. Gail RadleyMs. Amelie L. RatliffMrs. Henry B. Roberts
Mr. and Mrs. Einar P. RobshamMs. Jill M. RooseveltSteven M. Rothstein &
Susan Maze-RothsteinMr. and Mrs. Michael J. RotondiMr. and Mrs. Michael RuaneMr. Olgo A. RussoMr. and Mrs. Jeswald W. SalacuseMr. Mark Schwartz and Dr.
Bettina KatzMr. and Mrs. John J. SemperMrs. Gertrude F. ShelleyMr. Bradford J. ShingletonMr. Christian B. Snook and
Ms. Susan StoddartJan and Bruce SpitzMr. and Mrs. Daniel SteinerMr. and Mrs. Gilbert L.
Steward, Jr.Dr. George W. StewartMr. Paul StukaJohn and Ellie SvensonMs. Frances C. SydneyMr. and Mrs. William N.
Thorndike, Jr.Mr. Gerard B. TownsendMrs. Mary TruslowMr. and Mrs. Patrick TynanMrs. Doris UnderwoodMr. and Mrs. Michael VranosMr. and Mrs. Edward R. WalterMr. Melvin WeinerMr. and Mrs. Robert E. Wells, Jr.Mr. and Mrs. Dudley H. WillisMrs. June B. WillseyMrs. Jean W. WilsonMr. Matthew B. WinthropThe Rev. and Mrs. Brinton W.
Woodward, Jr.Ms. Joan M. Youngman
CampusScience in the Classroom..........................4Student Profile ..........................................52006 Graduation......................................6Preschool Graduation ..............................8
The Perkins FamilyHonoring Perkins Staff ..............................9
CommunitySomething Different ................................11Transitions ................................................11
Around the WorldThe United Nations ................................12Braillers in Malawi ..................................12New Horizons in Armenia......................13
Reflections at Perkins ....................14
How to Help ......................................18
Contents
The Lantern FALL 2006
VOLUME LXXVI, NUMBER 1
13
12
8
14
4
Sciencein the classroom
Everyone knows that science is essential totoday’s world. Perkins students aredoing their best at becoming scientificallysavvy world citizens. In the past threeyears Perkins science teachers haveacquired new braille textbooks for earth
science and physical science and have adapted periodic tables,measuring devices and molecular models for work with students whoare blind. There are more science classes. For all of these successes,Perkins is still looking for financial resources to help purchase neces-sary classroom equipment, to develop state-of-the-art classroomspace, and to develop curricula that will help students prepare forhigh-stakes state testing and to serve as a model across the countryfor teaching science to students who are blind.
campus
Zachary, with locks of brown curly hair and an infectious laugh, has been a day student at Perkins for a year and a half andgives an eager smile as he lists his favoritethings about Perkins: music class, listening to CD’s, learning letters, gym (especiallyexercising to his favorite “cha cha slide”song), snack, his best friend Colin, horsebackriding and something called “SAL,” a SpeechAssisted Learning System that is helping himlearn braille. Zachary says his “favorite in thewhole wide world” is SMI, Sensory MotorIntegration, a room of swings, mats and apool of plastic balls that help kids who areblind feel safe to move around, essential forthe motor development of blind children
who often move less because they can’t seewhat’s around them.
“Yay!” Zachary exclaims as his teacherbrings a piano keyboard, another favorite, to his desk. Zachary has many favorites. Hisclassroom teacher says Zachary’s biggest difference from when he started Perkins andtoday is independence. At first he would drophis coat and wait for people to do everythingfor him. Now he knows how much he can do,and he does it. “Who dresses himself, now?Who is learning to read? Who is independent?”asks his teacher.
“Me!” answers Zachary, and goes backto playing a pop tune on the piano.
5
STUDENT PROFILE :
ZacharyBennouiPerkins Lower School
6
Graduation at Perkins School for the Blind is a celebration where students, families, teachers and
friends revel in accomplishment. Thank you to families, staff and friends who have helped Perkins
students overcome obstacles and succeed. Above all, congratulations to graduates. Thank you, too,
to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Senate President, Robert E. Travaglini, for his inspiring
commencement address.
Christopher McAllister Jett, senior class president and 2006 graduate of Perkins Deafblind
Program, read his address in braille, and though today he is completely deaf, he began his life hearing
and therefore recited his speech verbally to the audience. Christopher and all 19 other graduates on
stage were the faces of possibility.
“Personally, I have had many wonderful opportunities during my years as a student at Perkins. I have met two Presidents, I have gone to space camp, I gave a speech at the MassachusettsState House, I won the Braille award for Massachusetts, I participated in the OutreachSummer Employment Program, I worked at Russo’s and Newton Wellesley Hospital, I went to Washington, D.C. for the signing of IDEA, I went to Maryland for a swimming competition
2006 Graduation
campus
BrandonMacArthur
Briana Bevins
Joe McNamara
Herbie Allen Joey Estabrook
KonradKnausenberger
Krystal DupuisKyle Dingelhoff
Marissa Loeb Tricia Newenham
7
Congratulations to all Perkins 2006 graduates!
with the swim team, I have won several medals for various sports events. I learned to play thedrums and I joined the chorus during the Spring Concert. And recently, I have written a bookabout my years at Perkins.
“I feel very lucky for all my opportunities at Perkins. Not everyone has experiences like this. Irealize that if I were not a student at Perkins I might not have had these opportunities. Being a student at Perkins is a wonderful gift…
“Let us continue to challenge ourselves. Let us not accept no for an answer. Let us show theworld that we are capable. Let us use the skills we have learned to be as independent as pos-sible. Let us continue to work hard and show that we can be successful. This is the best giftwe can give to Perkins. This is the best gift we can give to our teachers, our cottage staff andour supervisors. This is the best gift we can give to our family. Let us give the best we can.”
— From the graduation speech of Chris Jett, Perkins class of 2006
Adam HillBill Gerwien Brandon Ginther
Brett Wheeler
Chris Jett
Daniel Nordin Erin Reardon Heather Sprague
James Fafard
Marybeth Scorzoni
For complete speech, go to www.Perkins.org
8
While typical Preschoolers can walk around,touch, and understand the sentences spokenaround them, sight is still their primary meansfor getting information. Preschool at Perkins isa fascinating place, helping the youngest stu-dents who are blind learn to walk safely, to eatindependently, to acquire literacy skills and tounderstand that those bumps on paper thatadults call “braille” mean something. Preschoolgraduation is a true celebration. It’s recognitionof accomplishment and possibility.
Preschool Graduation
campus
the Perkins Family
45 Years of ServiceMichael CataruzoloDevelopment/PublicRelations
35 Years of ServiceDennis A. LolliHilton/Perkins
30 Years of ServiceKatarina E. FraserSecondaryBarbara MasonDeafblindPamela J. RyanDeafblind
25 Years of ServiceRobert Hastie, Jr.FacilitiesKathleen HeydtLower SchoolDeborah A. KrauseSecondary
Marianne RiggioHilton/PerkinsAnn RossPreschool
20 Years of ServiceDonna BentDeafblindLinde J. D’AndreaSecondaryGilbert Arnold HarrisSecondaryMaureen A. KingstonLower SchoolEllen J. LongSecondaryTracy Evans-LuiselliNew England CenterMarcia MooreSecondaryMark A. PenningtonBraille & Talking BookLibrary
Charles PimlottHuman ResourcesBetsy A. SennottSecondaryWalter E. WilsonDeafblind
15 Years of ServiceBruce J. BlakesleeSecondaryRoseann M. CieslaPreschoolSusan M DescarageEducational PartnershipsGraciela FerioliHilton/Perkins – ArgentinaAlfredo GiambarellaStoresGraciela GiambarellaBusiness OfficeBecky Schwarz HoffmanLower School
Jonathan Kirk HortonHilton/PerkinsDavid HurwoodLower SchoolMichael LogerfoBraille & Talking Book LibraryPatrick McCallSecondaryBrendan M. McGeeLower SchoolShelley K. PattersonBraille & Talking Book LibraryArawalous SoghomonianSecondaryJorge Luis SolenzalDeafblindEllen M. WhiteLower SchoolMeredith WhittenDeafblindCarolyn WillwerthDeafblind
Every Perkins employee delivers valuable service more than 70,000 people inMassachusetts, New England and around the world. The Perkins School forthe Blind Trustees especially thank staff recognized this year for their long-term commitment.
HONORINGPERKINS
STAFF
PERKINS LEADERSHIPThe leadership of Perkins has taken several exciting
steps to steer Perkins success into the future.
Perkins is establishing a special board of volun-
teers to support and lead many of Perkins’ efforts to
meet growing and changing needs. CorinneGrousbeck, a Trustee and Perkins parent, will be the
founding chair of this new board (the Perkins Trust).
Ellie Starr, formerly the Director, Individual
Giving at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, is the
first Executive Director of the Perkins Trust, the
renamed Development & Public Relations Office.
Jan Spitz is Senior Advancement Officer, Special
Projects of the Perkins Trust.
Thank You!Albert Gayzagian and Dudley H. Willis are stepping
down from Perkins Board of Trustees after a
combined 60 years of service. Mr. Gayzagian attended
Perkins as a student, and both he and Mr. Willis
joined the Board in 1976. The over 70,000 people
that Perkins serves around the world thank you for
your dedication, wisdom, and the gift of possibility.
Welcome!The Perkins family is pleased to announce that
Dr. Andrew W. Chapman has joined the Perkins
Board of Trustees as a governor appointee.
Dr. Chapman, an orthopedic surgeon, brings
years of experience from Caritas Saint Elizabeth’s
Medical Center. His brother is a Perkins
graduate. Perkins extends a hearty welcome to
the newest member of our family.
See page 19 for more on the Perkins family.
community
Quincy Market Museum of Science
Rock climbing
Farm lifeClassroom experiments
Relaxing at a teen weekend
Requesting job applications
15446.P08 11/21/06 5:14 PM Page 8
11
Perkins extends a special thank you to TheWeezie Foundation for the financial support ofPerkins Outreach Programs that allow publicschool students to make friends and to learnabout themselves and the world around them.
Transitions September was Space Camp in Huntsville,Alabama, October was a HalloweenWeekend on Perkins campus, and in Novemberteens learned about Healthy Living andelementary school students nurtured green thumbsat a Harvest Weekend.
For information about teens making a differenceduring the Helping Hands Weekend inDecember, contact Kelly Cote at Perkins OutreachServices, 617-972-7867 or kelly.cote@perkins.org.
The statistic is daunting – 70% of people who areblind are unemployed or underemployed. InMassachusetts, 150 blind students graduate fromPerkins or public high schools every year, and ifthey do not work or enter college or training thefirst year after graduation, statistics show thatthey rarely will.
At Perkins, we know this isn’t for lack of skill,motivation or ability. We know what many ofthese young adults can do. We also know aboutthe difficulty for many after graduation, aboutthe lack of support, housing, education andemployers who are often unaware of the skillspeople with disabilities offer.
Perkins is taking steps to build a community ofsupport to help students prepare for and navigatetheir steps after graduation. Perkins recentlypartnered with The Association of MassachusettsEducators of Students with Visual Impairments(AMESVI) and other organizations to invitepresenters from five local human service agenciesto help teachers, administrators and parentswork together to support and direct successful transitions.
Perkins also offered a five-day Summer Institutefor teachers of the visually impaired workingwith students planning to attend college or seekcompetitive employment. Success tomorrowbegins today.
B
C
Summer at Perkins is jumping with kids from
throughout New England and beyond. During
the school year most of those kids attend public
schools. Summertime, they cherish the chance to
come together to make friends, gain skills and in
some cases to appreciate that they’re no longer
the only students around who are blind. Students
of all ages learn about personal living skills, and
teens focus on job training and future work.
During the school year, weekend and school
vacation activities keep students in touch with
one another and broaden their worlds, from
programs on the Perkins campus, to the Science
Museum, to Space Camp in Alabama. Whatever
the season or location, everyone has a blast.
(See photos on page 10.)
Something Different
Outreach Events
12
around the world
The Perkins Brailler is the pencil and paper for
people who are blind. The Brailler is literacy,
employment and independence. Yet as Ashton
Helepa, the Malawi Tomorrow project coordina-
tor, said, “Unless very early action is taken to
reverse the situation through a combination of
rehabilitation and replenishment of stock, there
will soon be no usable Braillers in this country.”
Perkins has partnered with Malawi Tomorrow,
the Scottish charity, to do just that – reverse the
situation. Perkins provided tools, parts, and
DVD’s that teach basic Brailler maintenance and
repair to put the Braillers currently in the country
back in use. Malawi Tomorrow imported new
Perkins Braillers. By the end of 2006, Malawi’s
working Braillers should reach 370, benefiting as
many as 1,750 students who are blind or visually
impaired and 140 of their teachers.
Braillers in Malawi
Braille literacy is key to employment: 85% of blind people who know braille are employed, yet over 70% without braille skills are not.
The United Nations annually presents the F.D.
Roosevelt International Disability Award to a
country committed to improving the lives of
its citizens who are disabled. The country then
decides which of its organizations serving the
disabled should represent the honor and receive
the financial gift. In 2006, Poland was honored,
then selected the Association for the Welfare
of the Deafblind in Warsaw, which for the past
15 years has received training, guidance and
support of the Hilton/Perkins Program.
Recognition by the United Nations will carry
this work even further.
In the words of Association Director Grzegorz
Kozlowski, speaking at the United Nations,
“Standing here in front of you is a representative
of a very small, diffuse and invisible community
of deafblind people. We desire understanding and
love, as everyone does. We desire and we can give
love to all those we live with... I have a dream that
this event will give great impulse to the work for
deafblind people — wherever they are, because
they are everywhere, on every continent, in
every country.”
The United Nations
Eighteen months ago, representatives from
Perkins School for the Blind began visiting
Armenia, a country with few services for peo-
ple who were disabled. Generally, students with
visual impairments were put in an orphanage
or school for the blind, resulting in many stu-
dents not receiving appropriate, if any, support.
Thanks to the support of the local Armenian
community and the Karisma Foundation, the
Hilton/Perkins Program is helping to improve
the situation. A school for the blind in Yerevan
has accepted new students from the orphanage
in Gyumri, and directors of both programs are
now working together to ensure the best place-
ments. Consultants from Perkins, including a
Bulgarian teacher who studied for a year at
Perkins, are working with the organizations to
expand the education for blind, deafblind, and
blind multihandicapped students in their
schools. Thank you to everyone for coming
together to help the children of Armenia,
just one of the 55 countries where the
Hilton/Perkins Program is changing lives.
13
New Horizons in Armenia
14
P E R K I N S P E O P L E A N D H A P P E N I N G S O N A N D O F F C A M P U S
REFLECTIONSREFLECTIONS
Going for the GoldOver 100 students from five east coast states
sprinted, dashed, jumped and threw softballs,
footballs and shot puts at the Eastern Athletic
Association for the Blind’s (EEAB) Track & Field
Tournament at Perkins. Most students ran holding
the wires of Perkins’ outdoor track. Others used
their walkers or zoomed in wheelchairs. The faces
of the athletes show the success of this event on
the 60th anniversary of the EAAB.
“Some people underestimate blind people – that
they can’t strive to do other things. We can,” said
Ruben Taveres, 18, New York Institute of Special
Education, as reported in the Boston Globe.
Blue Cross Blue Shield ofMassachusetts sponsored the event, giving over 100students the opportunity to be their best. Thank you forhelping dreams come true.
15
A World of ThanksPerkins students presented personalized thank
you posters to Watertown Fire Chief Mario A.
Orangio and Police Chief Edward P. Deveau on
the afternoon of September 11. Beneath “Thank
you for all your support and all you do in keeping
us safe”, students and staff signed in brightly
colored markers and in braille. In addition to the
posters, the Chiefs returned to their stations with
huge platters of cookies as tokens of Perkins
appreciation.
CalendarPlease come experience the possibilities on
Perkins campus. These events are free and open
to the public. Please check www.Perkins.org for
more complete calendar listings.
Tuesday, November 21st
Educational Leadership Program
International Night
Auditorium, Hilton Building, 7:00 PM
Presentations by international teachers studying
at Perkins School for the Blind
Sunday, December 10th
Holiday Concert
Dwight Hall, Howe Building, 3:00 PM
Thursday, December 14th
Holiday Concert
Dwight Hall, Howe Building, 7:30 PM
Wednesday, January 10th
Jazz concert, featuring Lisa Hilton
Dwight Hall, Howe Building, 7:00 PM
PerKids!Reading for the 2,500 kids across New England who
use books from Perkins Braille & Talking Book
Library has just become more fun. A new PerKids
newsletter is available, students can IM the library
through Instant Messenger, and a special place
on the website is all about books for kids –
www.Perkinslibrary.org.
Christopher R. AndersonPresidentMassachusetts High Technology Council
Steve ChambersPresident, Speech DivisionNuance Communications, Inc.
Andrew W. Chapman, MDBone and Joint CenterCaritas Saint Elizabeth’s Medical Center
Brian CharlsonVice President Computer Training ServicesCarroll Center for the Blind
Kenneth G. HamelSenior Vice PresidentSolutions EngineeringSAP America, Inc.
Lois H. Johnson, EsqVice President of PolicyMassachusetts Technology Leadership Council
Dave PowerPartnerFidelity Ventures
Neil PowersVice President Products Progress Software
Paul RaiaDirectorPatient Care & Family SupportAlzheimer’s Association
Brian WorobeyChief Information OfficerMuseum of Science
Gayle YarnallPresidentAdaptive Technology Consulting
Fred von GottbergVice President General Manager CabotCorporation
16
oTechnology Today
The best education requires the best technology. Perkins School for the Blind has
developed a strategic technology plan encompassing the vast Perkins community from
infrastructure, to a total wireless system, to state-of-the-art educational aids.
To ensure success, Perkins has launched an External Technology Advisory Committee
comprised of industry leaders. We are pleased and grateful that these industry leaders are
helping Perkins use the vital tools of technology to advance teaching and learning.
HeroesPerkins Spring Gala, “A World of Possibilities,”
brought nearly 500 folks to Perkins campus to learn
about the reach of Perkins, experience the joy of
our students and raise funds for our programs and
services. Singer/ songwriter Livingston Taylor
performed with Perkins students, CBS/4 News
Anchor Lisa Hughes served as MC, and her
colleague Bob Lobel was auctioneer extraordinaire.
A special day at Fenway Park was one of the
premiere auction items and became a once-in-
a-lifetime birthday gift. Meeting Red Sox Captain
Jason Varitek was just part of Patrick Doran’s early
11th birthday celebration at a summer Red Sox
game. Patrick also threw out the ceremonial first
pitch, read the Red Sox starting lineup on NESN,
had a happy birthday message up on the big screen
at Fenway, and watched the game from great
seats… all because his generous dad made the
winning bid on the Red Sox/NESN package at the
Perkins School for the Blind spring Gala fundraiser.
And that day the Red Sox beat the Nationals!
17
Anne Sullivan HonoredThe American Printing House for the Blind in
Kentucky inducted Anne Sullivan into their Hall of
Fame this autumn. A graduate of Perkins, the life-
long teacher of Helen Keller and probably the most
famous special education teacher in the world,
Sullivan is immortal. She entered Perkins as an
illiterate orphan and graduated valedictorian. She
showed the world what is possible for people who are
deafblind. Today there are a dozen schools named for
Anne Sullivan in this country and in Ireland, Peru
and Brazil among others. As Perkins President Steven
Rothstein said to the audience, many of them special
education professionals, while accepting the award on
Sullivan’s behalf, “Today thousands of miracle
workers… transform the lives of thousands upon
thousands of children who are blind and deafblind
around the world. Thank you for all of your efforts
and thank you to Anne Sullivan. In honor of your
contributions, ‘All we see is possibility.’”
New Publication! Welcoming StudentsToday, most students who are blind attend public schools and receive weekly services from specialized
teachers of the visually impaired, many of them from Perkins School for the Blind. Imagine your second
grade teacher, quite likely the perfect teacher, but he or she might not have experience with students who
are blind. Then one year that teacher does
have a blind student in class. Perkins new
publication, Welcoming Students with Visual
Impairment to Your School, helps teachers and
school systems support the work of itinerant
teachers of the visually impaired or of
orientation and mobility specialists. It helps
continue the work, even when the specialists
are away at other schools.
Thanks to The Gibney Family Foundation,
the first 500 copies (one per order) of the $70
resource are free, plus $14.49 shipping. Go to
www.PerkinsStore.org for more information.
Perkins Resources, Perkins PridePerkins is there for you 24 hours a day! You can buy braillers and accessories, publications for teachers and families, and even Perkins baseball caps anytime at www.PerkinsStore.org.
18
HOW TO HELP
There are many ways to make adifference at Perkins. Join others who are helpingchildren and adults who are blind, deafblind or havemultiple disabilities reach their greatest possibleindependence. Here are some ideas:
• Make a gift of cash, stock, or personal property.
• Make a gift online at www.Perkins.org/donate
• Leave a legacy by remembering Perkins School for the Blind
in your will.
• Provide yourself or your loved ones with income for life by
establishing a Charitable Gift Annuity.
• Create an endowed fund supporting a special program.
• Donate through your employer’s matching gift program or
payroll deduction program. You might double or triple your
contribution to Perkins!
• Honor a loved one with a memorial or tribute gift for
birthdays, weddings, graduations and other important events.
• Volunteer by giving a few hours a month — or more —
and find out how much of a difference you can make
in the life of another.
For more information on any of these opportunities, please
call Ellie Starr at 617-972-7689 or visit www.Perkins.org
Officers of theCorporation & Board of Trustees*
Chair of the BoardJanet B. James
Vice Chair of the BoardLinda DiBenedetto**
Chair of the CorporationC. Richard Carlson
SecretaryCharles A. Cheever
TreasurerCharles C.J. Platt
Dr. Andrew W. Chapman**Frederic M. Clifford**William J. EdwardsBrenda J. FurlongPaul S. GoodofCorinne GrousbeckLoretta Warner HolwayPhilip L. LaddWilliam A. LowellJulio MarenghiAndrea Lamp PeabodyW. David PowerPaul A. Raia**
Honorary TrusteesHelen FernaldAlbert GayzagianJohn LowellNicholas U. SommerfeldDudley H. Willis
* As of November 6, 2006
** Appointed by the Governor of theCommonwealth
Message f rom the Pres ident
Perkins School for the Blind began over 177 years ago with two students, a
living room in a family’s Boston residence and one teacher who also served as
director. At Perkins, we say “All we see is possibility.” That was as true at our
founding, when society generally didn’t believe in education for people who
were blind or deafblind, as it is today.
Since that first classroom, the Perkins family has grown. Today we serve
over 70,000 people around the world. Students, staff, trustees, volunteers,
donors and others work together as the Perkins family, helping people reach
to independence on campus, in the community and around the world. The
Perkins family is strong, effective and transforming society.
I hope you enjoy this issue of our Lantern magazine. Every page shows
possibility. From students graduating, to staff dedicating their careers
to the Perkins mission, to public school students learning how to be
independent, to deafblind children in Armenia attending school for the
very first time, everyone is doing his or her best. I can truly say, yet again,
that “All we see is possibility.”
Thank you to everyone helping dreams come true.
Sincerely,
Steven M. Rothstein
President
Perkins School for the Blind
Cover: Perkins student,Sam Goodman, at aspring track meet.
19
Photo Credits: Bruce Blakeslee, cover, 3 (bottom), 6-7, 14; Tara Bricking, 3 (top), 8; Perkins archives, 2, 3 (middle two), 4, 5, 10-13, 15, 17, 18,19 (top); George Riley, 16; Courtesy of Mike Rotondi, 19 (bottom).
When Michael
Rotondi talks about
why he supports
charities, he’s clear:
he wants to make
a difference.
And because he wants his philanthropic contributions
to have real impact, he is careful about which
non-profits he supports.
“As I learned more about Perkins School for the
Blind, I became very interested and there was no
question about lending my support. Particularly
with children of my own, I feel for these parents.
I just want to help in whatever small way I can.
I’m so happy that Perkins can help these kids get
in the right direction and I have an unbelievable
amount of respect for the teachers at Perkins.
Their dedication is remarkable.”
As a member of the Visionary Society, Michael
endorses the work of Perkins and he inspires
others to extend their philanthropic vision
through unrestricted annual fund gifts.
Together, they transform lives. As Michael
avows, “There’s no question that Perkins
changes lives. In my own small way, I’m trying
to do that, too, with my gifts.”
Anonymous (4)Dr. F. Towne AllenMr. Robert Amory, IIIMr. and Mrs. Walter AmoryMr. David G. Baird, Jr.Mr. and Mrs. John T. Bennett, Jr.Ms. Joan Bentinck-SmithMrs. Barbara BeyeaMr. John F. BiagiottiMr. Edward L. Bigelow, Jr.Mr. and Mrs. Fred BigonyMr. and Mrs. Charles S. BoitMs. Margaret Wacker BrawleyMrs. Wesley BrownMr. and Mrs. Michael BullockMrs. Billy BurdineMr. Eric G. BurnsMr. and Mrs. Robert L. ButlerMs. Ellen CabotMr. and Mrs. C. Richard
CarlsonMr. and Mrs. Samuel B. Carr, Jr.Mr. and Mrs. Larry ChengMr. and Mrs. Frederic M.
CliffordMs. Hariette P. CohnMrs. Gladys CopelandMr. Herbert CorkinMr. Prescott C. Crafts, Jr.Mr. Thomas W. DarlingMr. and Mrs. Christopher J.
DeLoreyDana and Mudgie DjerfMr. and Mrs. David A. Durkin
Mr. and Mrs. George C. DymentMr. and Mrs. Wade EdwardsMr. and Mrs. William J. EdwardsMr. and Mrs. Mason FernaldMrs. Leo J. FeuerMr. William R. W. FitzMs. Margaret Boles FitzgeraldMs. Victoria FremontMr. and Mrs. Charles FurlongMr. William Gamelli and
Ms. Tracy VitolsMs. Elisabeth GitterMr. Dana M. GordonCorinne and WycliffeGrousbeckMr. Thomas GugliottaMr. and Mrs. Eric R. HaartzMr. and Mrs. Robert W.
HagopianMiss Cynthia HallowellMr. George A. HambrechtMr. and Mrs. C. Michael HazardMr. and Mrs. William W.
HelmanMr. and Mrs. Lowell HolwayMr. Joseph C. HonanMr. Frank H. HuberMs. Jennifer M. HuntingtonJanet B. and William E. JamesMr. and Mrs. Abdul JomaaMr. and Mrs. Owen J. KellettMs. Mary E. KellyMs. Sheila KennedyMs. Laura M. Kessler
THE V IS IONARY SOCIETY*July 1, 2005 – June 30, 2006
We are grateful to our leadership donors whose own philanthropic
vision through unrestricted annual fund gifts transform lives every
day. Thank you to every member of The Visionary Society who
believes that the time truly is now to reach for new possibilities.
The Visionary Society, valued members of the Perkins family, are leadership donors whoseunrestricted annual contributions help maintain the programs and services that literally transform lives every day.
For more information about the Visionary Society and how you can make a gift, please con-tact Kathleen Cragin Brittan at 617-972-7284 or kathleen.brittan@Perkins.org
Visionary Society Member Profile:Mike Rotondi
new photo perkins kids
Monthly GivingHelp Perkins School for the Blind improve the
lives of over 70,000 people a year by signing up
to make monthly donations to Perkins. Monthly
support of Perkins is cost-effective and provides
steady income for our life-changing work.
Go to the “make a difference” section of
www.Perkins.org, and follow the “donate”
prompts. Thank you for your support!
* In addition to the Visionary Society, Perkins School for the Blind is deeply grateful tothe many donors who give restricted gifts for the Perkins Gala and for special projects.Our 2006 Annual Report will list all major donors.