generationsT H E H A D L E Y S C H O O L F O R T H E B L I N D – E S T. 1 9 2 0

Through the generosity of others, building on the past, bringing life-changing services to future generations

Samantha Gregerman reads

a braille book with George Abbott,

Hadley’s vice president of Development and

Communications

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or more than 50 years, the Woman’s Board of The Hadley School for the Blind has been selling Braille Holiday Cards to raise funds for the school (see page 4). This is just one of the many projects our dedicated donors and

volunteers have undertaken to sustain Hadley and support us reaching our 90th Anniversary.

Equally important is preparing for Hadley’s future. Work has begun on our next Long-Range Strategic Plan. This plan will reaffirm our commitment to braille literacy, which has been core to the school’s mission since its founding in 1920; expand

our course offerings through eHadley and new Seminars@Hadley; and better position the school as a global resource in partnership with the World Blind Union. We also will seek funding for more business curriculum—with the possibility of creating a Hadley School of Business and Entrepreneurship for students interested in self-employment, micro enterprise and other entrepreneurial opportunities.

In this issue of Generations, we are pleased to share the latest Hadley information—including a partnership with the State of Florida—and introduce you to Randy Morgan, our newest faculty member who is coordinating outreach to current and potential Florida students. As with our partnership with the State of Texas, our goal is to expand Hadley’s presence in Florida, developing new collaborations to better serve Hadley constituents and

increase enrollment, particularly among those who want to achieve a high school education. And speaking of high school, in this newsletter you will also meet Hadley’s High School Class of 2010 and read about their experiences with our unique distance education programs.

As always, thank you for your generosity and ongoing support. With your help, we will embrace new initiatives while providing the highest quality distance education to the more than 10,000 students worldwide who benefit from Hadley each and every day. May we look forward to another 90 years!

Regards,

Charles E. Young, President

A Letter from the President

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Celebrating Hadley’s 90thWe asked students to write a letter to William Hadley describing their experiences with the school he founded 90 years ago. Our “Dear William Hadley” essay contest generated responses from students worldwide. Sheila Shulleeta, of Washington State, was flown to Winnetka courtesy of the Friends of Hadley to read her winning essay at the school’s 90th Anniversary Garden Party on June 24. From left: Friends of Hadley Chair Rosita Schloss; Shulleeta; Chairman of the Board Terry Faulk; Senior Vice President Dawn Turco; and Hadley President Chuck Young

Karen Gearreald: Fully Engaged Donor Spotlight

instruction. For personal enrichment, I later took numerous Hadley courses in other languages and on using the computer.

How has Hadley impacted your life? Hadley instructors encouraged me educationally and vocationally. During my 24 years as an instructor, I also made lasting friendships with students and staff. Hadley employment was instrumental in my “triple career” as a teacher, lawyer and musician.

Why do you support Hadley?Besides my strong belief in Hadley’s mission, I am motivated by the wisdom, enthusiasm and generosity of its donors whom I have known for many years. Having benefited from excellent educational and vocational opportunities, I want to do what I can to see that these same blessings are available to today’s students.

Why did you become a member of the Clarence Boyd Jones Society, for those who include Hadley in their estate plans?I want to leave a suitable educational legacy to tomorrow’s students. Moreover, I have fond memories of my personal acquaintance with Mr. and Mrs. Jones. In 1966, I received the Hadley Student of the Year Award, and the Jones family hosted me in their Winnetka home. During the particularly troubled era of the early ’50s, when the school was on the verge of extinction, Mr. and Mrs. Jones invested their time and money and creativity to save Hadley. How can I forget their example of unselfishness?Gearreald continues to give back to her community and serve on behalf of those living with visual impairments. She is a teacher and philanthropist whose support we are privileged to have.

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KKaren Gearreald has been affiliated with Hadley for more than 54 years—as a Hadley student, employee and now a major donor. Gearreald’s parents noticed she was not seeing at around three months, but it wasn’t until age 8 that she was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa. One of the first children in Virginia to be mainstreamed into the classroom, she was taught braille by the Virginia Commission for the Blind just before first grade.

Gearreald has an impressive education and accomplished career. She credits Hadley with helping her complete her Harvard thesis on Milton’s “Paradise Regained,” thanks to longtime, late Hadley instructor Marcia Golde, who reproduced the 2,000 line poem in braille in its original Early Modern English form and recorded the special literary notes in Hadley’s recording studio.

In 1969, Gearreald was hired as chairman of the English Department and director of education at Hadley. She left in 1973 to enter Duke University’s School of Law.

Gearreald returned to Hadley as a part-time instructor in 1986, teaching Bible and Latin courses while working full time as a lawyer at the Norfolk Naval Supply Center. She added business

law and music appreciation courses to her teaching duties in 1995, becoming a full-time instructor. She retired from Hadley in 2004, but serves as a consultant on the development of a Hadley course on the Braille Music Code.

How did you learn about Hadley? In the mid-1950s I began reading about

Hadley in braille magazines. At age 12, I wrote a letter of inquiry to Hadley. My mother wrote a letter on my behalf to assure the school that I was serious about my request to become a student.

I first enrolled in Hadley’s English and Spanish courses to supplement what I was already learning in school. During my undergraduate college days, Hadley’s German courses gave me such a strong foundation that when I entered Harvard, I passed the German reading requirement without any additional

Gearreald in 2009 on stage at Overbrook School for the Blind

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and “Early America.” His goal is to learn computer programming.

Henry Mallett quit school at a young age to join the Marines. He lost his sight in 1972 following treatment for a tumor behind his eyes.

Henry heard about Hadley while at the Blind Rehabilitation Center in West Haven, Connecticut, where he was sent after being discharged from the hospital. There, he learned how to resume life as a blind individual.

“I wanted to finish high school and was to do it in the service, but that didn’t work out for me,” Henry says. “Hadley helped me figure out which courses I needed to earn my diploma.”

Henry especially enjoyed science and math, and thanks his Hadley instructors for their time and patience. He feels at peace knowing he has accomplished what he set out to do so many years ago, and he hopes to continue taking Hadley courses in the future.

Congratulations class of 2010!

HHadley’s 2010 graduates received their hard-earned high school diplomas during a ceremony held in Winnetka on June 9 and attended by family, friends, Hadley Trustees, staff and faculty. Afterward, a reception was held in their honor.

Commencement Speaker Urban Miyares, blinded Vietnam Veteran and founder of the Disabled Businesspersons Association (DBA), delivered an inspirational speech to graduates and attendees. In 2009, Miyares received The Hadley School for the Blind President’s Award for his service to the blindness community. He is one of the nation’s leading authorities on self-employment for people with disabilities. An entrepreneur for more than 40 years, Miyares helps individuals maximize their potential in the business world.

GRADUATESGrowing up, Amy Bonano struggled in school. Her wish had always been to earn a high school diploma.

A good friend told Amy about Hadley. With a family to care for, she began slowly, taking one course at a time. Although it was challenging, she knew the hard work would be worth it, and she will remember the feeling of accomplishment she experienced upon achieving her goal.

Amy is now home-schooling her children, Warren and Arielle. Her wish is that they advance in their schooling and experience the same sense of enjoyment and fulfillment she has known.

Charles Henries discovered he was legally blind in 1999. Before losing his eyesight, he drove 18-wheelers east of the Mississippi. He says losing his vision took a toll on his self-esteem.

In high school, Charles felt unmotivated and was not interested in earning a diploma. After learning about Hadley, he decided to give high school another try. “Hadley made it much easier,” he says. “Every course was informative, and the teachers were very helpful. I feel good that I’ve accomplished this goal.”

Charles’ favorite courses were “Typing and Keyboarding”

Michael North was born with aniridia and glaucoma, both of which run in his family. His grandmother and parents were Hadley students, and his mother suggested he earn his diploma through Hadley.

Michael faced challenges that made success in public schools unachievable. During tenth and eleventh grades, his most challenging time, Michael took his

Sarah Nelson-Norwood Michael North Henry and Nancy MallettAmy Bonano

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mother’s advice and enrolled at Hadley. “I changed as a student when I started my first Hadley course,” he says. “I began turning to schoolwork instead of the video games that had occupied me before. Without Hadley, I’m not sure I would have gotten here.”

Michael is an elementary education major at Lansing Community College, in Michigan. He plans to complete his degree at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, continue taking Hadley courses and try his hand at writing.

Sarah Nelson-Norwood was born legally blind and lost her sight completely after an accident at age 19. Her sister, a former Hadley student, urged her to earn her high school diploma through Hadley.

With her mother’s encouragement, Sarah began her Hadley courses. It was not easy in the beginning, she says, but she learned from all of her courses, and her instructors were encouraging.

Sarah says the adversity she experienced

Congratulations class of 2010!

Kristin Sheriff Robert Whittaker

Hadley Receives Oregon GrantThe state of Oregon, through the Oregon Commission for the Blind, awarded Hadley a grant of nearly $60,000 to develop three online mini-courses that will prepare students for competitive employment. The courses will help blind computer users become proficient in listening to text-to-speech output, searching the Web and creating professional-looking documents.

completed 32 Hadley courses. His goal is to start his own business. 

Kristin Sheriff lost her vision at age 9, after emergency surgery to remove a tumor pressing on her optic nerve. She attended the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind in St. Augustine; however, the eight-hour bus ride home on weekends left her little time to complete her school work. After three years, she decided to finish her coursework through Hadley. “I am so grateful for this opportunity,” she says. “I loved the courses and my instructors.”

Kristin enjoyed “Self-Esteem and Adjusting with Blindness” and “Personal Psychology,” her history and government courses and all the extra course-related materials her instructors provided. She plans to study massage therapy.

Robert Whittaker heard about Hadley while at Disability Services for the Blind in Cookeville, Tennessee.

Although a staff person helped him with his Hadley application, he felt pessimistic and did not believe he would be accepted. He says he’s glad he was, because his goal now is to become a teacher.

Robert says his own motivation, along with the support of family and friends, helped

him complete the coursework. “My experience with Hadley has opened doors for me,” he says. “I am now able to understand better, and I love to learn.”

Robert’s Hadley success has motivated him to enroll at Volunteer State Community College, in Tennessee. He plans to earn a degree in secondary education.

made her determined to achieve a high school diploma. She thanks her parents and Hadley staff, who were supportive and helpful.

Conrad Perry lost his vision due to optic nerve damage. His desire to adjust to his blindness, improve his life and start a family led him to Hadley. He has

Want to receive Generations electronically? Visit www.hadley.edu/pubs or call Jacque Sabian, 847-784-2762.

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Rose Donnell, Mary Alice Coulter and Nancy Jones

Woman’s Board Braille Holiday Card is One-of-a-Kind

This holiday greeting card benefits The Hadley School for the Blind

in Winnetka, Illinois. Our school promotes independent living

through lifelong distance education programs for people who are blind

or visually impaired, their families and blindness service providers.

This card is produced by the Woman’s Board of the Hadley School.

Original artwork provided by local artist and Woman’s Board member

Kay Moffitt.

the school. Enter Rose Donnell. A braille transcriber in Mexico City before moving to Chicago in 1964, Donnell joined the Woman’s Board and soon became chair of the Album Sales Committee from 1976 to 1977. With Donnell spearheading this end of the sale, the Woman’s Board annually sent out more than 1,500 album card mailers alone.

The Holiday Card Sale soon took place in Everitt Hall (Hadley’s lobby) with two sisters from Wilmette processing orders. Donnell hosted a luncheon for them and other volunteers at the end of each season. Also for sale were stationery, Christmas ornaments and other holiday items. Advent calendars and wrapping paper were popular too and are still sold today.

Over the years, the Braille Holiday Card has generated a variety of designs—some developed by staff, others by Hadley students, children and local artists. In recent years, the Woman’s Board has also offered a photo card. Mail order is the dominant form of promotion, although phone and online orders have become more prevalent as Hadley uses its Web site and other marketing efforts to generate awareness for this unique card. While sales have fluctuated over the years and competition has grown, interest in a brailled holiday card remains strong.

Donnell recalls the spiral notebook that served as Jones’ ledger. “Everything was done by hand,” she notes. She also remembers at the end of every sale, an imprinting mistake would invariably necessitate hand-delivering cards to families across town. But she took it in stride. “It was a lot of fun,” she says.

Coincidentally, Donnell and Mudd (who has since passed away) share the same birthday. As a gift, Donnell once needlepointed a Christmas wreath for her “twin.” Her inspiration for the design? A Hadley Braille Holiday Card, of course.

he year was 1956 and Nancy Jones, a Hadley Woman’s Board member and daughter of founder Dr. E.V.L. Brown, had a novel idea: What if the Woman’s Board were to sell braille greeting cards as a new fundraiser for the school?

Fifty-four years later, the Braille Holiday Card Sale remains one of the great fundraising successes of the Hadley Woman’s Board.

It all began around Jones’ dining room table, according to her daughter, Gwen McConnaughy, a Woman’s Board member and Hadley Trustee, who was just 11 years old when the sale

began. Jones approached her friend and fellow Woman’s Board member Jackie Mudd, then owner of Grey Dove Printing Company, to design, print and emboss the card in braille. The cards had lined envelopes and were “very high end” says McConnaughy. “That was part of their appeal.”

The Board promoted the cards to Winnetka residents and offered custom imprinting. The sale, entirely managed through the efforts of volunteers, began as mail order with an order form and sample

card sent to residents. In its heyday, this “home grown business” brought in as much as $50,000 a year, making it one of the most successful charity fundraisers of its time. Jones spearheaded the effort for more than a dozen years.

As the Holiday Card Sale took off, there was growing interest in appealing to a wider audience and raising additional income for

The 2010 Hadley Braille Holiday Card — On sale October 11 – December 15To order: visit www.hadley.edu/holidaycard, visit the school’s lobby weekdays, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. or call 800-323-4238

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Last spring, Samantha Gregerman decided to put her reading skills to work for a good cause. The resourceful 6-year-old offered to read aloud to anyone who was willing to make a donation to Hadley. In late February, she visited the school with her mother, Sandra, and presented a check for $300 to George Abbott, vice president of Development and Communications.

When asked, “Why Hadley?” she shrugged and said, “It just popped into my head!” We couldn’t be happier, or more impressed. Thank you, Samantha!

Before leaving, Samantha took time to enjoy a braille book with George and learn more about the school.

Hadley’s LittlestDonor Raises a Hefty $300

The Hadley Woman’s Board 2010 annual Benefit, Take Note, celebrated the school’s 90th and highlighted its role as the world’s largest braille educator. Guests enjoyed performances by Scott MacIntyre, the first visually impaired finalist on American Idol, and Gospel singer and recent Hadley High School graduate Megan Tate. From left: Board Chairman Terry Faulk, MacIntyre, Benefit co-chair Kay Moffitt, Tate, Woman’s Board President and Benefit co-chair Lynne Montgomery, Hadley President Chuck Young

Woman’s Board Benefit Celebrates Hadley’s 90th Anniversary, Raises Funds for Braille Literacy

Meet Hadley’s Florida Outreach CoordinatorRandy Morgan, Hadley’s newest addition, is a part-time instructor

who also promotes Hadley’s resources in Florida.Morgan retired from the State of Florida’s

Division of Blind Services (DBS) in 2009 after 30 years working for DBS specifically and 35 for the State of Florida. He served in several capacities, including district administrator and district supervisor. He was serving the northeast Florida district of DBS as district administrator

when the opportunity arose at Hadley. “I was very excited to work for Hadley because, although I

was familiar with the school, I didn’t realize all they could do to help,” says Morgan. “Everyone in Florida has been so receptive. I work with many retirees who are isolated by low vision, and Hadley is an awesome resource for them to learn skills needed to continue to live independent and fulfilling lives.”

Morgan began his career as a vocational rehabilitation counselor based in Jacksonville, Florida. At DBS, he welcomed the challenge to work with people whose primary impediment to employment was blindness. Much of his work focused on placing visually impaired individuals in jobs. He became acquainted with hiring managers at larger companies and teamed up with a rehabilitation engineer to evaluate jobs and create an educational video to help employers understand the unique aspects involved in hiring individuals who are visually impaired. The agency still uses his video statewide in its job placement efforts.

Morgan belongs to the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) and is one of the approved AER University Program curriculum reviewers. He and his wife Judy live in Jacksonville.

Our mission: To promote independent living through lifelong, distance education programs for people who are blind or visually impaired, their families and blindness service providers

The Hadley School for the Blind700 Elm StreetWinnetka, IL 60093-2554 USA

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Join us Saturday, October 23for a Howlin’ Good Time

at the 5th Annual Hounds for Hadley Dog WalkDress up your dog! Dress up yourself! Collect pledges and win prizes! Registration begins September 1 For more information visit www.hadley.edu/hounds

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