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ATTLEBORO

When Danica Aldrich and her parents were looking for a high school for her to attend four years ago, they wanted to find a place that would help her when she needed it, but would not pamper her so she felt patronized.

They believe they found that place at Bishop Feehan High School.

Danica has acondroplasia dwaftism. She is only 3 feet, 11 inches tall.

Her stature meant she occasionally needed help getting things from her school locker and getting food in the lunch line. She could not carry heavy textbooks from class to class. She also needed a different chair and desk than her classmates used.

Feehan made arrangements for her in those areas.

But, overall, Danica said she was treated just like every other student. She was accepted into a circle of friends, participated in theater, succeeded in class and graduated Thursday.

"It didn't bother people that I'm short of stature," she said. "It's going to be sad to leave. The senior class gets along so well. We're all so close."

Danica's mother, Jennifer Galipeau, said her daughter's positive attitude meant she wanted to do things for herself whenever possible.

"She's a feisty young girl. She wants to do everything everybody else does," she said.

Her advanced placement art teacher, Brenda Loiselle, also said Danica never asked for special treatment.

"She's a fantastic artist and never asked for help. She has a smile on her face every single day. She loves art and loves school. She is truly a joy," Loiselle said.

Rather than wanting help, Danica intends to help others as a career.

She plans to attend the Art Institute of Boston in the fall and become an art therapist. As an art therapist, she said she will use art to lift the spirits and aid the healing process of sick children. She already has experience working with children as a volunteer at the Children's Museum.

Art therapy is a career path her mother wholeheartedly endorses because her initial concern was that Danica would become an artist struggling to make a living.

"I'm excited because she loves art so much, I was afraid she would starve. This is really exciting. I always said, 'She is my child who is going to change the world.'"