Barbara Ellington, Lifestyle Editor 
Dr. Jay Tribby (right), chief of staff representing the office of the Mayor of Atlanta, with Elaine Bryan, following the presentation of the Phoenix Award to her. Sharing the occasion is her husband, Gregory Bryan. The presentation was made last Saturday at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia. - Contributed
WELL DONE, Elaine Bryan! The Jamaican-born high school counsellor based in Atlanta, Georgia, on Saturday, July 15, received accolades and awards for years of dedicated service to students of Chambelee High School.
The presentations were made at a luncheon for Mrs. Bryan hosted by Turner Broadcasting Service (TBS).
She received the TBS Education Award, making her the only counsellor to get such a prestigious honour. Next came the Phoenix Award for the City of Atlanta, and a special letter of commendation from the Governor of Atlanta.
In October last year, Mrs. Bryan was presented with the Judge Glenda Hatchet 'Reach for a Better Future Inspiring Excellence' education mentoring award, making her the first and only recipient so far.
SPECIAL TRIBUTES
Amanda Davis, Fox 5 Television's anchorwoman and mother of a daughter counselled by Mrs. Bryan, was the Master of Ceremonies.
Ms. Davis told guests that as a counsellor, Mrs. Bryan remained true to herself and displayed genuine love for the over 400 children under her supervision.
"She loves to be with children and see them excel. I know the value of a good school counsellor," she said, as she shared her own experience with meeting a good counsellor who made, "a wonderful difference in my life."
Special tributes came from Mrs. Bryan's husband, Greg, whose piano rendition of John Legend's Ordinary People received loud applause, and nephew Sean Grant's religious spoken word pieces resonated with everyone.
Jamaica's Honorary Consul Vin Martin said grace, and Air Jamaica's Atlanta manager Michelle Henry donated a prize for the raffle, as well as pledged future support of the scholarship fund set up by Mrs. Bryan.
Barbados Honorary Counsul, Dr. Edward Layne, expressed his appreciation to the outstanding counsellor who had played a vital role in the lives of his two children, "who cherish the ground Mrs. Bryan walks on.
"They would not be where they are today without you, so on behalf of all Caribbean people, I say you are a shining star. You are always there for children of all races and backgrounds, you do not discriminate," Dr. Layne said.
Jay Tribby, representing Mayor Shirley Franklyn's office, presented the Phoenix Award from the city of Atlanta to Mrs. Bryan. He told guests it was very rarely given, could not be requested but had to be earned when others believed in your work.
STUDENTS' PRAISES
Former Chambelee principal Dian Clark, who 14 years ago hired Mrs. Bryan as the Chambelee High School counsellor, spoke in glowing terms about her.
"I felt obliged to get the best counsellor friendly, uplifting, organised, efficient, competent and someone who loves children," she said. She also disclosed that she never once worried about the children because she knew they were in good hands.
Former student Monique Smith, who is a Harvard graduate headed to Jamaica on a one-year Fulbright scholar this year, lauded her counsellor's "genuine concern and ability to get you ready to compete with others and realise your dreams and ambitions."
And Diangelo Williams said when he was struggling to adapt to a new school, Mrs. Bryan was the best thing to happen to him: "She became a second mother to me and made sure all was well in my personal life too," he said.
APPRECIATION
In her reply, Mrs. Bryan, who is also a realtor with Coldwell Banker, thanked everyone who participated in the event and expressed appreciation for the encouragement she had received along the way. 'Now I know what the saying 'no man is an island' means."
Among those at the luncheon were District Attorney Jewel Scott, Karen McEnerny, representing City Council District 6; Dr. Donovan Christi of Anna Wellness Medical Centre and his wife Jacqueline, Bern Lain, Mike and Leone Harris, Hazel Martin; Carl, Sandra and Sean Grant, Nancy Fare, Doobie and Vicki Shemer, Yasmin Campbell, Arlene Barr, Norma Rushing Teletta Holt, Derry Williams, Alan Alberga, Jerome Taylor, Diangelo Williams, Dian Clark, Yasmin Campbell, and many others.
