(Riverton, WY) – October 5th marked the 25th anniversary of Berry Bryant’s death, and in her honor, a small gathering was held at the Northwest College (NWC) in Powell to plant daffodils at the memorial garden and to meet the first recipient of the Berry Bryant Memorial Scholarship Endowment.
Bryant, a 1996 Riverton High School graduate, had her life cut short her freshman year at NWC, and earlier this spring efforts were spearheaded to establish a memorial scholarship and memorial garden – both of which have come to fruition.
Tuesday’s gathering was small and included only a few of her friends and family, including her mom Sharon, along with a few current and past staff at NWC; a larger public dedication is planned for her birthday, March 21, 2022.
“Dee Havig and Shelby Wetzel, both staff members that were present when the tragedy occurred” (h/t Robert Schiff)
“We shared lunch, told a few stories, cried a little, laughed a little, planted bulbs, took pictures, and generally had a very nice time getting to know each other,” shared Mandi (Belding) Williams, a fellow RHS grad and friend of Berry’s.
Their hope is for the daffodils to be popping through the ground for the spring dedication of the garden which will also have a memorial bench donated by another friend of Berry’s and Riverton resident Jamey Kirkland.
The granite bench and the garden will be located west of the Campus Mall near the Nelson Performing Arts Building and will serve as a permanent monument.
Attendees also included the very first Berry Bryant Memorial Scholarship Endowment recipient, Sabrina Alvarez.
“She is perfect and sweet and we all just fell in love with her!” Mandi continued.
County 10 will share the latest updates planned for the spring dedication as the date draws closer.
