Alternative students find their niche
Alyx Robinson said people often misjudge students at Burlington-Edison North Alternative High School.
“We are no-nonsense people,” Robinson said. “Very down-to-earth.”
In comparison to other alternative high schools, Robinson said B-E North is a cut above the rest.
“Our school is a little more hardcore than others,” Robinson said.
Students learn by contract at the alternative high school. Course work is provided upfront for the entire year and students can complete their work at their own pace.
Robinson said many of her fellow students have struggled with set curriculums that weren’t challenging enough to stimulate them and eventually lost the incentive to attend class.
Robinson said there are guidelines. Students must complete each assignment with a proficiency of at least 80 percent and are expected to meet the same requirements as Burlington-Edison High School students.
Robinson is one of 10 B-E North students planning to graduate this year. Another graduate, Willie Wraspir, said he will miss all the friendships he has made with teachers and peers.
“We show respect for each other,” Wraspir said.
Unlike Burlington-Edison High School, Robinson said the ties at the alternative high school are much closer.
“The majority of us hang out,” Robinson said. “We became our own kind of community.”
Teacher Linda Larrabee said Robinson and Wraspir are two of the many inspiring students she has worked with.
“They are very honest and bright,” she said, “They know how to represent themselves artistically and verbally.”
Larrabee had nothing but good things to say about her four years with the students.
“They are the reason I come to work,” she said.
This year, Larrabee’s class went on an all-expenses-paid trip to Olympia to visit Rep. Jeff Morris. Students were able to go free of charge despite low funding, Robinson said. She said often teachers purchase supplies for students out of their own pockets.
“It was a chance to thumb our noses at (Burlington-Edison High School) and say ‘Look what we’re doing,’’’ Robinson said.
After graduation, Robinson plans to attend a community college and pursue a degree in computer programming.
Wraspir said he plans to move to Port Orchard to be closer to Seattle.
“It’s an opportunity to get out of the Valley,” he said.
He said his long-term goal is to become a novelist. He said he has always idolized writers like Augusten Burroughs and Stephen King.
The alternative high school graduates will receive their diplomas with Burlington-Edison High School graduates on Friday.
