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

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12

8

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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

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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.

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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.