Announcements 
June
3, 2005 2005
Graduation Extras
Remarks by
President / Executive Director Dave Manzo
Franny,
Joe, Etienne and Tyler, congratulations to each of
you and congratulations to your families and your friends
here tonight!
I am very proud of each of you, and I am not alone.
Your family, your friends and the entire Cotting Community
look up to you tonight with pride. We know what you
have accomplished, and we are honored to celebrate
your successes.
As a group, you have a combined 25+ years of educational
experience at Cotting School. I have a mere 10.5 months.
Each of you knows more about this school, its traditions,
its wonderful teachers, clinicians and staff than I
do. (So if I make any mistakes tonight, please let
me know quietly. I don’t want the Trustees of the school
to find out.)
Before continuing, I must admit one massive failure
on my part. Since I arrived in July, I have tried in
every way possible to convert each of you to Yankee
fans. I have failed miserably. I see 4 graduates and
4 Red Sox fans sitting here tonight.
Cotting is a place of contradictions and surprises.
Here, sometimes things are not always as they appear
to be. When people come to visit the school for the
first time, they often expect to see kids who are sad
and staff who are tired. They find the opposite is
true. Our students are happy and our staff is energized
and creative.
As a matter of fact, Cotting prides itself on exceptional
care for children that I often describe by two seemingly
opposite adjectives: tough and tender.
I find a tenaciousness in Franny, Joe, Etienne and
Tyler. They each have a fighting spirit, an “I can
do it” toughness that has helped each of them overcome
seemingly insurmountable obstacles. At the same time
there is tenderness in Franny, Joe, Etienne and Tyler
as they treat others with exquisite kindness. Most
people think that school is about students learning
from teachers. That is partially true. I know that
each of you has learned a great deal at Cotting School.
But I know a secret: We as staff learn more from you
than you will ever know. Here is a little bit of what
I learned from each of you.
Joe, when I arrived at Cotting, you were one of the first students I met. Last
summer you introduced me to soccer at Cotting. You taught me the rules of the
game while kidding me about the Yankees. You have a warm personality. You reached
out to me and made me feel welcome. I have watched you do that with others too.
It is a great gift. Joe, in the years to come, you will be a friend to many and
each person will be blessed to know you.
Etienne, I have watched with wonder as you excel in music. I first heard you
at last year’s graduation and was amazed at your talent. Your music makes our
world brighter, richer and happier. Etienne, you are a kind and gentle person
and you make all of our lives better.
Tyler, I played basketball against you and skied with you this winter. I love
to watch you compete. You are an excellent athlete, but more than that you are
a superior teammate. The gift of a great athlete and a great person is that you
make others around you better players and better people. Tyler, you make us all
better, and we respect you for that.
Franny, when I saw your art exhibit at Lincoln-Sudbury High School, I was in
awe. I knew of your artistic talent, but seeing a lifetime’s work in one exhibit,
was truly extraordinary. You have the gift of being an artist, and much more.
You are one of the kindest people I have ever met. When you greet people, you
do so always with a warm smile. Franny, you are a great friend to many and you
make all of our lives richer. Continued
453
Concord Avenue, Lexington MA 02421 
Announcements
