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A SALUTE TO MOMS
The Vindicator
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Jevonta Predergast, from left, and Ne’Ahra Page, kindergarten students at Williamson Elementary School in Youngstown, sing during a tribute to mothers Monday at the school.
The Vindicator
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Williamson Elementary School kindergarten students Dream Jones and Elijah Lamar sing during a program Monday at the school. The ceremony, which celebrated mothers, was sponsored by the English as a Second Language program.
The Vindicator
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Ashley Cruz, a second grader at Williamson Elementary School, hugs her mom, Elizabeth Cruz, during a program celebrating mothers at the school on Monday.
The Vindicator
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Williamson Elementary School fifth grader Angelo Rosado hugs his mom, Keyshla Rivera, Monday morning during a tribute to mothers at the school.
Students honor important women in their lives
By Denise Dick
YOUNGSTOWN
Fifth-grader Angelo Rosado, 11, brought his mother to tears, telling her how much she means to him.
“Even today, we sit and have quiet talks,” said Angelo during “A Salute to Mothers, Grandmothers and Guardians” on Monday at Williamson Elementary School.
He coerced his mother, Keyshla Rivera, to come to the front of the school gymnasium where he read the letter he’d written to her.
“I think you’re the prettiest mother I have ever seen,” Angelo said.
Rivera smiled, wiping tears from her eyes.
After the ceremony, Angelo said Rivera is a good mom, a single mother of six, who helps him with his homework.
“She makes sure I eat first before she eats,” he said.
Principal Wanda Clark said Monday marked the school’s first Mother’s Day program.
“We wanted to do something that would represent our diverse culture here at Williamson Elementary School,” she said.
Clark asked the school’s English as a Second Language teacher, Patricia Musolino, to coordinate the program.
“We value unity in this building,” Musolino said. “When you walk into the building, it is a family.”
Because mothers are so respected in the Hispanic community, Musolino decided to select an event to celebrate mothers. “I’m sure that goes across all cultures,” she said.
Students sang and recited poetry, celebrating the most important woman in their lives.
Kindergartner Yohanon Dawson led the Voices of Hope choir in the song, “Because of Who You Are,” and a class of first-graders performed “It’s a Small World” on lummi sticks, wooden sticks that allow children to tap out a rhythm.
Third-grader Isaiah Ramos, 9, performed two selections on the keyboard for the program. His mother, Tammy Shingleton, said she was very proud of her son who started taking lessons when he was in kindergarten.
“This is to thank my mom for doing good things for me, and I appreciate her,” Isaiah said.