Outside, it was a cold Monday evening. But inside the auditorium at Bryant Adult/Alternative High School, it was warm — warm with family and friends who had come to congratulate the six Landmark Career Academy students and the 38 Bryant students who graduated that evening.
Julie Ellis, director of Hollin Hall Senior Center, was there. Her daughter, Rachele Elvira Pelligrini, was one of the graduates.
"I'm so thankful that Bryant was there," said Ellis, who realized that her daughter needed an alternative program in her junior year. "Things were going on and it was time to look at alternatives."
Ellis is also thankful for the support of West Potomac counselor Jeanie Bohlin, and Pat Loudis, who was one of Pelligrini's English teachers.
"They were very supportive and we breathed a sign of relief when we realized that there were choices," said Ellis.
Pelligrini was also relieved when she transferred to Bryant for her senior year. Contrary to some thoughts that Bryant is only for "bad" students, it is really there for all students who need a more flexible program. It worked for Pelligrini who needed a less stressful environment at the time.
At Bryant, the classes are small; Pelligrini's history class only had six students, all going at their own pace. Ellis said, "My experience with the teachers was wonderful. I recommended this to a friend whose child was strugglingóitís important for parents to know that they have alternatives."