A Graduation to Remember!

I normally try not to post too much information about my family for the blog, but I wanted to make an exception with the graduation of my cousin. Last week I was in New Jersey for the graduation of my cousin Kerry, from Seton Hall University. Kerry is a remarkable young man and fun person to have as a cousin. What is remarkable in Kerry's graduation is the fact that he is Autistic and has overcome many obstacles in order to be where he is today.

Below is his entry from his blog for Autism Speaks, a national Autism awareness organization.
This guest post is by Autism Speaks staffer Kerry Magro. Kerry, an adult who has autism, is a recent graduate of Seton Hall University. He started the club Student Disability Awareness on campus to help spread awareness and raise funds for those affected by autism. Autism Speaks U is a program designed for college students who host awareness, advocacy and fundraising events, while supporting their local autism communities.

Yesterday was my graduation from Seton Hall University. As this has been one of the most emotional and happiest days of my life I have taken some time to reflect on my journey and get my thoughts down on paper. Many people told me that my road towards a good education was going to be rough. The word “impossible” was a word that I learned very early on in regards to people’s opinions about whether or not I could get to college let alone graduate from college. Now I just have to say…


Kerry at graduation wearing the Autism Speaks pin, along with the 15 honor chords he collected at college.
To the physician who told me when I was 6 that I would be lucky to get to high school, this one’s for you.

For the Special Education teachers who would look down at me like I was broken, this one’s for you.

For the years of being taunted and bullied by kids, saying I can’t and wouldn’t achieve greatness, this one’s for you.

For the people who helped me through physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy till I was 14, this one’s for you.

For my parents, friends and relatives, who see me as an individual first who is/was never broken, this one’s for you.

For those teachers who said I could do it, this one’s for you.

For the countless other individuals out there who are autistic or love someone who is autistic, this one’s for you.

For the people who say you can’t do something even though you can this one’s for you.

For the people at Autism Speaks who have given me the chance to express my “voice” and help others through the Autism Speaks Blog for over a year now, this one’s for you.

At the end of the day our influences in our lives send us on our path, either good or bad. When I was 4 I was diagnosed on the spectrum. Now 18 years later I’m a college graduate who will be going to graduate school for a Master of Arts in Strategic Communication and Leadership. For all those people, again, the good and the bad, thank you. You’ve made me who I am today and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

…This one’s for you.


Congrats Kerry, I am so proud of you!

Still no Internet, but Good News

Seminary Faculty Recognizes Outstanding Students

Thanks to generous endowments on the part of its benefactors, each year St. Mary's Seminary recognizes the excellence of two of its seminarians by granting them a burse of studies to further aid and foster their education.

In recognition of his general excellence in studies; general excellence in spiritual and community leadership; potential for ministry; and pastoral sensitivity to ecumenical and interfaith issues, the faculty has named Daniel Quinn as the Cardinal Keeler Scholar for 2011-2012. Daniel, 27, is a seminarian of the Diocese of Albany. He will be ordained a transitional deacon in his diocese on May 28, and return next year to St. Mary's to complete his priestly formation.

In recognition of his general excellence in studies; general excellence in spiritual and community leadership; and potential for ministry, the faculty has named Andrew Nelson as the Cardinal Shehan Scholar for 2011-2012. Andrew, 32, is a seminarian of the Diocese of Manchester. After a summer assignment in his diocese, he will return next year to St. Mary's to continue his priestly formation.

Each year the Scripture faculty of St. Mary's Seminary recognizes the excellence of a seminarian in Biblical Studies. This year the faculty recognized Eric Ayers, 42, a seminarian of the Diocese of Richmond, who will graduate this May and be ordained a priest in his diocese on June 18.

Retreat, Return, Internet Down

Back from Retreat, it was amazing!

Back at the Seminary with two weeks to go, also amazing!

Internet is down in my room, not amazing!

Borrowing someone's computer for two minutes to post this update.


More tomorrow.................