School for deaf, blind graduates 8

From: Billings Gazette, MT - Jun 1, 2003

GREAT FALLS - The eight graduates of the Montana School for the Deaf and the Blind were sent out into the world with the words of the shortest graduation speech: British Prime Minister Winston Churchill's "Never give up!"

Then Secretary of State Bob Brown made a similar point in his graduation speech.

"If at first you don't succeed - welcome to the club," Brown said, noting several famous musicians, scholars and athletes failed early in their careers and later became huge successes.

MSDB's graduates already have learned the importance of tenacity. Five are blind or visually impaired and three are deaf.

The MSDB graduates were: Matt Castner of Great Falls; Desi Cady and Cindy Ferguson-Davis of Billings; Jennifer Franzen of Glasgow; Debra McCoy of Sidney; and Jonny McKessick, Cory Nette and Kenny Smith, all of Great Falls.

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