2012 Perkins Possibilities Gala

Students Take Center Stage as Perkins Raises $1.6 Million at Seventh Annual Gala

Felix Cavaliere and The Rascals performing with Perkins' Secondary Chorus

On a brisk Thursday evening in May, Perkins School for the Blind held its seventh annual Perkins Possibilities Gala. Our evening began with a cocktail reception in the historic Howe building where guests were greeted by Gala Committee Co-Chairs Kevin Bright, Corinne Grousbeck, and Joe O'Donnell. After trying their hands at adaptive games and testing out the latest in accessible technology, guests strolled across campus for the remainder of the evening's program.

For the first time in Gala history, the entire program was emcee'd by students. Co-hosting the event were Secondary School "personalities" Michelle Smith and Sam Robson, with appearances and presentations by fellow students from their film and video workshop taught by Friends producer-turned-Emerson College-professor Kevin Bright. Students presented a number of video projects including a film by Dan Guilbeault in which he tells the story of his progressive vision loss. The video project reunited Dan with a childhood friend and the boyhood pals took the stage together amid cheers from the crowd.

Throughout the evening guests were moved by stories from students and parents about what really happens every day at Perkins; none more so than that of Perkins Class of 2008 alumna Katie Condo. Though she came with a carefully crafted speech, Condo tossed aside her notes and said, "Nothing I wrote could say what I really feel tonight." Condo, who is multiply disabled and gets about in a wheelchair, credited Perkins staff members for bolstering her courage as well as her academics. Now a successful Bridgewater State University junior, Condo left no heart unmoved when she concluded by saying that her Perkins School for the Blind education had become "integral to who I am."

The night turned rather raucous when Boston-based comedian Tony V. took the stage; raising $156,000 during a live auction that not only offered luxury items for donors, but also enrichment experiences for students. The Technology Challenge was also our most successful yet, raising an additional $180,000 for the equipment, software, and training that allows our students to achieve all that is possible. As the evening came to a close, student musicians proved just that by joining Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Felix Cavaliere and The Rascals on stage for performances of Groovin’ and a show-stopping It’s a Beautiful Morning.

Save the Date for our 2013 Perkins Possibilities Gala - May 2, 2013!

More About the 2012 Perkins Possibilities Gala

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Watch Felix Cavaliere and The Rascals perform with Perkins' Secondary Chorus

For more information about our Perkins Possibilities Gala, please contact Emily Goodman, Manager of Special Events at 617-972-7583 or via email at emily.goodman@Perkins.org