Honorary Graduate: Lannie Garrett

Principal, Jann Clevenger, left, and Executive Director, Joan Gabrielson, right, congratulate Lannie Garrett as an honorary graduate at the May Excelsior Youth Center graduation ceremonies.

Lannie Garrett, Denver iconic songstress, grabbed an honorary high school diploma with the other 9 graduates today at Excelsior Youth Center. As the inspirational guest speaker, she told the graduates and their families since she dropped out of high school, she never wore "one of those cute blue hats and gowns. But I went back and earned a GED but I've always missed participating in a high school graduation ceremony. May I?" she asked Principal, Jann Clevenger. After getting permission from the other graduates Garrett received her own cap and gown and quickly moved her chair to join the girls.

Lannie left home at 16 and lived with different friends to get away from the family violence in her own home. "Both my parents were deep into alcohol addiction and we lived on junk food, hostess cupcakes and tv dinners. I ALWAYS wanted to be an entertainer. It took me decades of work to turn my sadness and depression around but I did it."

Lannie's two messages to the 2009 Excelsior graduates: "Don't act like a victim like I did. It took me years to change. Start celebrating little things and send out good thoughts to everyone you meet and your life will instantly change for the better," she said. "Secondly, be true to your word. Become someone others can always count on. Things will really happen for you when others KNOW you can be trusted."

Lannie's natural ability to connect with her audience, her comedic instincts and her stage presence make her in demand as a singer/entertainer in clubs and for corporate events all over the nation. Three years ago she opened her own nightclub beneath the historic D&F tower, Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret.

"I think HAPPINESS is a goal, not something that just happens to you," said Lannie.
Lannie was named by Excelsior as a Triumphant Woman in 2008, as someone who has made the difficult journey of overcoming seemingly overwhelming adversity to achieve greatness in their chosen field or endeavor. Triumphant Women honorees may have had troubled backgrounds, dysfunctional families, experience with poverty, or another extreme challenge. Triumphant Women are honored for "beating the odds" and becoming pillars of the community, displaying characteristics worthy of a role model to Excelsior girls.