Chicago Lighthouse President Jim Kesteloot was the commencement speaker at The Hadley School for the Blind’s recent High School Graduation Ceremony. Kesteloot congratulated the students on their achievement, describing the “singularity” of graduation as the equivalent of the “big bang” – a turning point event impacting the rest of their lives.

Ten students, ranging from ages 19 to 70, received their high school diplomas this year, five of them in person.

Other speakers included: Chuck Young, Hadley president; Dawn Turco, senior vice president for Educational Operations; George Abbott, vice president for Development and Communications; and Stace Hilbrant, chairman, Hadley Board of Trustees. Megan Tate, a 2009 graduate from Mississippi and aspiring Gospel singer, presented a rendition of Celine Dion’s “The Power of the Dream.”