Family and friends proudly stood with their cell phones in one hand and, in many cases, a Kleenex in the other as their four and five-year-old graduates strolled down the middle aisle in the AHS auditorium on Thursday, May 25. The pint-sized grads donned red caps and gowns as they took their seats in anticipation of the night’s festivities.
Following the welcome, prayer, and pledge of allegiance, it was time for the preschool graduates to take the stage in song. The West Early Learning Center VPI (Virginia Preschool Initiative) graduates kicked things off with “Graduation Song” and “Thank You,” before the preschoolers sang and danced to “Tooty Ta.” Finally, Central Early Learning Center’s VPI and Preschool class combined forces to perform “Special Me” and “Thank You” to their families, friends, and teachers.
Afterward, it was time for the presentation of diplomas! The miniature graduates took the stage class by class, one by one, excitedly waiting for their names to be called. Some rushed to their teachers for one last hug while others hopped or even sprinted across the stage.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, an icee truck waited outside to treat family, friends, guests, and graduates to a delicious treat. A few visitors lagged behind in the auditorium to capture photos of two very moving tributes in the front row. In both aisle seats were faux candles and heartfelt poems that paid tribute to the memories of two of the graduates’ parents: Seth Dressler and Tanyell Hunter. In short, the poems asked their children to save them a seat because even though their bodies could not be there, their spirits always would be: undoubtedly in the front row, forever cheering them on.
