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YMCA preschool celebrates young graduates
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The graduation ceremony also included a singing performance from the students. During their song "Testa Spalle," the Italian version of "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes," Lauren Steinhoff (left) and Adalena Slifka pointed as they sang about their mouth and nose.
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Preschool director Adele Taylor (right) took a chance to ask each graduating preschooler what they hope to do when they are adults. Cameron Dobbins (left) shared that he would like to be a ninja.
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The preschool graduates performed a few musical selections during their ceremony, including selections called "The Butterfly Song" and "The Rain Song."
By SARAH FOOR
The graduates walking across the stage on May 25 weren’t the ones you might expect, but their graduation was just as important as any student three times their age.
The preschoolers of the Davis YMCA wore caps and gowns and walked to the tune of “Pomp and Circumstance” for their very own commencement that Wednesday.
In many ways, the graduation was a traditional celebration, with the procession of the graduates in their white caps and gowns and the presentation of the diplomas to the students.
However, the celebration broke from tradition to give the students a chance to shine. The preschoolers performed a short concert of summer-friendly songs and preschool director Adele Taylor gave each child a chance to share what they’d like to do when they grow up before they were presented with their diplomas.
Ellayna Malloy said simply, “I’m going to be a princess.”
Charlie Sines and Tyler Canfield had single word answers: “Ninja!”
For the teachers at the preschool, the event was a chance to think about a great year of learning.
“In my 15 years of teaching this is absolutely my best class,” shared teacher Jill Cole. “We all just jelled together so well and everyone was so sweet and kind to one another.”
“Thinking about where they were in September to where they are now, it’s amazing how much they’ve grown and learned. I think they even look more mature,” shared teacher Corrada Zebrasky.
For the future, the preschool teachers hope the students will continue to be insatiable learners.
“I hope they always keep reading. I hope they never lose the enthusiasm and curiosity we saw in our classroom,” Cole shared.