Announcements June 3, 2005

Class of 2005 Leaves Legacy of Kindness and Generosity




On a Friday evening, families and friends of three young men and one young woman filled the auditorium for commencement. In a ceremony marked by tradition, the students marched proudly into the auditorium flanked by the entire faculty, who were beaming with pride. Tyler Lagasse, Francesca Brown, Joseph Awbrey, and Etienne Perley (above from left) have a combined 25 years at Cotting School. After speeches from Dave Manzo, Executive Director; Michael Talbot, Headmaster; and John Beach, Trustee, the students each had an opportunity to address the audience. The young grads talked about their favorite classes, teachers, and memories. They all thanked their families for their support.

In a selfless gesture typical of these young men and women, the graduates presented a special bench in memory of their late classmate, Kurt St. Pierre. It was the students’ idea to build a memorial bench in industrial arts class. Every single boy and girl in the school played a role in building the bench, and it took the entire school year to make.

More inspiration came from commencement speaker Dennis Heaphy, Executive Director of Jesuit Volunteers International (JVI) and Chaplain-In-Residence at Georgetown University. Mr. Heaphy was paralyzed from the neck down in a swimming accident just after graduating college. The young graduates listened attentively as Mr. Heaphy told them, “You are beautifully made…the world needs you.”

EXTRAS:

Read graduation remarks by President / Executive Director Dave Manzo and keynote speaker Dennis Heaphy.

View 2005 Graduation Photos