A preschool student stands up at their graduation. She received her diploma with a big smile on their face. Looking around she sees her family and her teachers clapping and cheering for her. This is a moment that will impact her long after it has ended.

Beginning over 15 years ago, the Lil´ Warriors preschool program puts on a graduation ceremony in the Upper Campus library.

During the ceremony, families come to watch their children graduate preschool and move onto the next year of school. 

“It is a time for preschool students/high school teachers and families to celebrate the year,” says preschool program advisor Melissa Farris. “All the preschool students receive a little diploma, we sing songs and recognize the preschool students that will be starting kindergarten in the fall.”

There is also food and gifts for the students after the ceremony.

Parents enjoy acknowledging their kids’ achievements and seeing the joy on their faces. Parents enroll their students into the program for different reasons.

“It was more for social aspects, but I heard about the program from my sister in law actually she said she really loved it,” says preschool parent Jess Prudahomme 

A few seniors graduating high school in the next week graduated from the Lil´ Warriors preschool lab.

The class benefits both the high school students and the preschoolers. Students get hands-on work with children and early education experience for future degrees and jobs.

“I heard great things about it and I really like interacting with kids and I think it was a great experience to learn from,” Said sophomore Brianna Amedio.

High schoolers also enjoy the bitter-sweetness of graduation. 

“It is a time for everyone to celebrate all of the hard work we have done throughout the year. High school students get to see how a preschool graduation/end of the year celebration is planned and implemented,” Farris says.

Some students have kids moving onto kindergarten next year and wont see them next year. Others will see their kids again in the fall.

“ it’s so upsetting because she’s five[preschool student] so she’s going off to kindergarten and it’s her last year so it’s just so hard but I’m really excited her,” Says MCHS junior Maggie Evans.

The Preschool graduation is a staple in our school that everyone looks forward to. Memories are made by everyone in the cool oasis of the UC library.