Graduates' smiles and tears celebrate well-deserved diplomas

For The Hadley School for the Blind's 2007 high school graduates, earning their diplomas was a moment to savor. And savor it they did with tears and beaming smiles as they accepted the hugs and handshakes from family, Hadley staff and trustees, and guests June 13 at the Winnetka Woman's Club.

This exciting event recognized the successful academic accomplishments of: Wallace Faulkner, Campbellsville, Kentucky; Samantha Gilley, Flintstone, Georgia; Leila Reinersman, Lexington, Kentucky; Henry Slaughter, Tupelo, Mississippi; and Josephine Smith, Charleston, South Carolina. Other graduates who were unable to attend were: Jon L. Boone Sugar Land, Texas; William C. Matthews, Bayonne, New Jersey; and Janice M. McCall, Lincoln Park, Michigan.

For all of these graduates, the diplomas represents years of hard work and determination. As graduate Leila Reinersman said, wiping the tears from her eyes, "I want my children and grandchildren to know that you are never too old to go back and finish something you started." In addition to these graduates, over 500 high school students have supplemented their education at their local public schools with courses from Hadley, a distance education school serving those who are blind or visually impaired.
Pianist Carolyn Sanderson, a long-time donor to Hadley and who is herself visually impaired, provided music for the event. Dr. James Segvard Nyman, a retired director of the Nebraska State Services for the Visually Impaired, was the commencement speaker. Dr. Nyman, who lost his sight at age 11 in an explosion, spoke of the necessity of the graduates to venture forth into the world and make their mark, not letting their impairments to hold them back.

The Hadley School for the Blind is the largest worldwide educator of blind and visually impaired people. Since the school was founded in 1920, all of Hadley's distance education courses have been provided free of charge. Today, the school serves 10,000 students annually in all 50 states and 100 foreign countries. Hadley relies on contributions from individuals, foundations and corporations to fund its programs. For more information, call 800-323-4238 or visit the Web site at: www.hadley.edu.