Announcements 
June
3, 2005 2005
Graduation Extras
Remarks by
2005 Keynote Speaker Dennis Heaphy
Dennis
Heaphy, Executive Director of Jesuit Volunteers International
(JVI) and Chaplain-In-Residence at Georgetown University
was the keynote speaker for the 2005 Cotting School
Graduation. Dennis holds Masters Degrees in Public
Health, Education and Divinity. He has worked as an
educator, disability and human rights advocate and
chaplain.
As the Executive Director of JVI, Dennis
oversees an international organization that has placed
over 7,000 volunteers in service around the globe.
Many years ago, while working with young children in
Belize as a Jesuit Volunteer, Dennis was paralyzed
below his shoulders in an accident. In an article written
by Moises Mendoza for Georgetown University, Dennis
states, “I was giving swimming lessons to some kids.
I just dove off the dock into the ocean. I hit bottom,
or did something like that, but the end result was
quadriplegia.” … Fighting off depression, Heaphy began
a journey that would take him from Boston University,
to Harvard, Nicaragua and eventually to Georgetown.
He received master’s degrees from Boston University
and Harvard and has worked extensively with at-risk
youth and in the public health sector.
But it was in
Nicaragua doing grass roots development work a few
years ago, where Heaphy discovered that he really could
succeed. “One day in Nicaragua I was being pushed in
a wheelchair. Coming down the street on the other side
was another person with the same level of disability
being pushed down the street. If he could survive what
was holding me back?” he asked.
Let me begin by telling you what an honor it is for me to be here to celebrate
your graduation with you today Etienne, Franny, Joe and Tyler. I have been looking
forward to this day and to meeting you since Mr. Manzo invited me here several
months ago.
Etienne, Franny, Joe and Tyler, the world needs you. As I was considering what
I would say to you today this was the first thought that came into my mind and
my heart. Though I am an old man (almost as old as Mr. Manzo) as people with
disabilities you and I share a lot in common with each other and I know the world
needs you.
Mr. Manzo has shared a little bit about each of you with me and what I discovered
is a remarkable group of men and women who with your families and loved ones
have overcome a number of challenges and obstacles to arrive at this graduation
ceremony. In addition to studying for exams, music lessons, art lessons and work
programs there have been weeks, months and years of fighting for what you need.
Sleepless nights, tears, hospital stays visits, family and financial struggles
have all gone into the making of this day. And the list can go on. How about
dealing with transportation! My personal favorite. There have also been strong
friendships and support systems created, lots of laughs and a lot of love that
have gone into making this day possible.
This graduation ceremony is as much if not more a celebration about your having
learned how to live life with dignity as much as it is about academic achievement.
I do not want to diminish the accomplishments of your non-disabled friends, but
I can tell you that as individuals and as families you have achieved far more
than can be measured on an aptitude test or math quiz. Not only have you studied
math, science, English and so on, you have learned life skills. The hard way!
You are experts in advocacy and in appreciating what is important in life and
in setting goals and meeting them, in falling and in getting up again.
There is a book written about people raised during World War II. The people of
this time are referred to in the book as "the greatest generation." I
do not believe that the book is correct. You Etienne, Franny, Joe and Tyler,
you are the greatest generation and you follow a long line of great generations
of students who have graduated from the Cotting School. And your friends and
your family and your teachers who have brought you to this moment are all part
of this same greatest generation. Did you know this?
Joe, a worker, I understand that you are the first in your family to graduate
from high school. And you have also worked while going to school! I also understand
you are the photo copying king. What an incredible accomplishment for you and
your family and a role model to his brothers. It is also an honor for Charlestown
to call you one of its own. Charlestown can be a tough place making this graduation
that much more of an accomplishment for you, your brothers and your mom Elizabeth.
Tyler, another worker, I understand that you have been a busy man going between
Cotting School and Merrimack Education Collaborative this winter and spring.
I'm sure the entire family has been busy with you. From what I have read on the
Internet, Merrimack Education Collaborative it is quite the program. I am sure
that Lowell General Hospital has been grateful for your contribution there. Whether
you decide to go on to college or into the workforce I know that your parents
and your brother will be proud of you. You have already accomplished a tremendous
amount. Continued
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