ELON COLLEGE, N.C. – Bettie Jane Bryant of Frederick, Md., is much more than a dance teacher. She’s an active volunteer giving her time and money to many organizations.
Bryant recently was honored with the “Hometown Hero” Award at Elon College. She was among five people who were recognized for making positive differences in their communities. Bryant’s former student, Kylene Moore of Frederick, who is a freshman at Elon College, nominated her.
For almost 40 years, Bryant has given dance lessons to the young and old at her Frederick dance studio. She also has taught children with autism, Down’s Syndrome and cystic fibrosis.
Every year she donates proceeds from the studio’s recitals to area charities, including the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. “I had two of my little students die because of cystic fibrosis at the age of 9,” Bryant said. “It was what got me involved.”
“Bettie has been a positive role model for many of her dancers, including me,” Moore said. “She has shown me how I can help to make the community better.
Elon College is four-year coeducational college located near Greensboro, N.C. It has 3,900 students from 42 states and 35 foreign countries.
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