Kindergartners moving on

Suzie Harrison

On a June gloom day, there was nothing but bright smiles at the El

Morro Elementary School kindergarten graduation. On June 17 the

playground was transformed into a luau with a tiki hut and palm

trees.

The young graduates followed suit, sporting their floral

ensembles. Balloons shaped in an arch topped the bleachers with a

huge sign clad with a surfer boy and girl and the words “Cowabunga

Class of 2004.”

Parents walked in with their proud students and filled every inch

available to cheer them on. Before the ceremony, students collected

in their classrooms filled with anticipation.

Cayla Henderson, 6, was excited about graduating.

“It means having lots of fun and having lots of pride in

yourself,” Cayla said. “My favorite part of school was reading and my

favorite book is ‘Green Eggs and Ham’ -- I like the ham when he tries

it.”

She said the hardest part thus far in her school career is

listening and reading words, but it helped her by getting “much more

better at reading.”

Luke Jamison, 6, pointed out his new duds.

“I got a new outfit, it’s a Gap shirt with flowers,” Luke said.

He said the idea of graduation feels like he doesn’t have any more

school.

“First grade, I’m thinking about reading, writing and being with

my friends on the playground,” he said.

Ian Detweiler, 6, said he was excited and explained what

graduation meant to him.

“It means that you’re excited that you’ll be having no more

school,” Ian said.

He said in kindergarten he learned his ABCs and his favorite part

was playing on the playground. He’s looking forward to more of that

in first grade.

Liam Shapley, 5, echoed the predominant sentiments. Taylor

Dunlevie, 5, explained that graduating from kindergarten means going

to first grade. Her favorite part this year was making her puppet and

learning how to read.

Amanda Staland, 5, expressed her last words as a kindergarten

student before the ceremony started.

“I learned to write and color and to hold a baby chick at the

farm,” she said.

She said she couldn’t wait to sing -- the kindergarten students

prepared a repertoire of songs to perform for the eager audience.

Principal Joanne Culverhouse and PTA President Melanie Lewis were

the masters of ceremony.

Culverhouse was in tears while the children sang.

“It’s bittersweet because I’m going to Thurston [Middle School],”

Culverhouse said. “I’m sad I won’t see them grow up.”

Parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters held on to each note,

while cameras and camcorders recorded every second.

“L-O-V-E there’s a lot of love inside of you and me,” they sang.

“L-O-V-E there’s a lot of love to share. Remember to love yourself

every day and then you have more to give away.”

Teachers Gretchen Sjule and Lisa Williams got a bouquet of flowers

and each student received a lei with their diploma. Families clamored

even closer to get that final shot of their child receiving the

certificate of their achievement.