Fecteau-Leary provided an alternative ending

LYNN – Lynn’s Fecteau-Leary alternative school held its graduation ceremony Thursday afternoon, when 25 students who needed a “different fit” earned diplomas.The program is finishing its seventh year of existence, and its role as the educational safety net has served the teens of Lynn well, said Principal Maura Durgin-Scully. Those who attended Fecteau-Leary usually ended up there due to attendance or personal issues that made the typical high school setting difficult, she said.Cheryl Meninno, director of special education for the Lynn Public Schools, was scheduled to deliver the commencement address, but was unable to attend. Her remarks were read by special education supervisor Jessica McLaughlin.”The school year can be long, and sometimes in the dead of winter there are feelings of doubt that this class will be successful,” Durgin-Scully said. “But thanks to the great group of professionals that surround me and support from parents and administration, we always find ourselves at this wonderful moment in their lives.”Durgin-Scully said each of the graduates has post-graduation plans.”We consider this a 100 percent success rate because each of the graduates has either post-secondary-education plans, or has secured full-time employment, and two will be joining the ranks of the U.S. Army.”As the class assembled for the last time, Assistant Principal Joseph Glowik offered some words of wisdom to the graduates.”The wonderful feeling you have today is one of accomplishment. You can have this feeling again with dedication and hard work. I wish you the best and please know that the future is yours to build.”