Excitement was building up in the Ray Johnson Assembly Center on July 19th as three tiny graduates of the ASU Child Development Laboratory Center entered the auditorium wearing their golden caps and gowns. Their biggest fans – parents, grandparents, teachers, fellow preschoolers, and ASU faculty and staff – gathered to celebrate Torrey Turner II, Anupama Maddali and Kyra Green’s first major accomplishment, a transition from preschool to kindergarten.
“They are close friends – Torrey, Anu and Kyra, and have been attending the center since they were toddlers. Now they are graduating together,” said their teacher Martinique Rounds. “All three of them are very energetic kids, they love to sing, dance and learn new things.”
The “Today’s Preschooler Tomorrow’s Future” program included a pledge by Child Development Laboratory Center students Jada Myles and Jayquan Havard, welcome address by graduating Kyra Green, presentations by preschool teacher Latasha Coleman, practicum student Jacueline Hall, and director LaTasha B. Holmes, and remarks by Dr. Mattie Rasco, interim chairperson for the Department of Human Sciences. It was followed by the preschool class and the graduates’ outstanding performance of the song “What a Wonderful World”, the class skit, Torrey Turner’s “Preschool Pledge” and Anupama Maddali’s “Off to Kindergarten” piece.
The program concluded with the graduates receiving preschool diplomas, 2011 rings, purple and gold balloons, teddy bears in graduating caps, “Hooked on Phonics” reading program from Ms. Holmes and backpacks with school supplies from their preschool teachers.
“My granddaughter Kyra had the greatest experience at the Child Development Center, she learned so much!” exclaims Rosemary Howard, administrative assistant to the dean, School of Arts and Sciences. “She can count to 20, recognize letters and shapes, spell words, and the child is only five years old.”
“We are so thankful to everybody at the preschool who touched our child’s life,” said Satya Sreedvi Redla, director of the ASU Math Center. “For that caring approach and individual attention that kids receive here.”
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