Bryan graduates prevail against the odds

“To graduate from high school is a major accomplishment, but to graduate from a school like Bryan is an even greater one,” were parting words spoken to the Bryan Community Focus Program 2018 graduating class from senior Ivie Lemond.

She continued, “Each one of us had to overcome incredible obstacles in order to be here tonight. We all have had the odds turned against us and yet we have prevailed.”

Lemond and 48 of her classmates gathered in the Lincoln East High School auditorium May 24 with teachers, administrators, friends and families to celebrate meeting the requirements for graduation.

Senior speaker Jordyn Coleman also encouraged his classmates to continue the climb. “If you want it you have to get up and get it. No one is going to just hand you a diploma or a good- paying job. You can sit around and get a whole bunch of handouts and make excuses, but what is that really going to get you? We made it this far, so why stop now?”

The evening’s other speakers also encouraged graduates to continue on their journey:

  • Superintendent Steve Joel: “To be a graduate of Lincoln Public Schools, and to carry that diploma takes with it a pretty significant responsibility. It really does carry value, and it’s a springboard for each of you to go off and do great things with your lives.”
  • Principal Tanner Penrod: “One of the many lessons and skills that we hope all our graduates leave Bryan Community with is the ability to be resilient. The ability to rise above ‘it’. ‘It’ is those sets of unforeseen circumstances that at times feel too great to overcome.”
  • Lincoln Board of Education member Barbara Baier: “Yours has been a journey with highs and lows, challenges and triumphs. Without your willingness to meet each obstacle with tenacity, hard work and an open mind you would not be here today.”
  • Bryan psychotherapist Dwight Brown: “As you walk out this door, I want you to know two things. One is, we love you and we care about you. The second is, you did this. You can do anything.”

Bryan Community is an alternative high school program that combines high behavioral and academic expectations with innovative teaching designed to help students meet the requirements for a Lincoln Public Schools high school diploma.  The smaller learning environment at Bryan allows for more individualized instruction with clear learning objectives linked to individual interests and talents.  At Bryan, high school graduation plans are developed for each student with an emphasis being placed on post-secondary education and planning a career path trajectory.

 


Published: June 1, 2018, Updated: June 1, 2018

“Each one of us had to overcome incredible obstacles in order to be here tonight. We all have had the odds turned against us and yet we have prevailed.”

senior Ivie Lemond