Kindergarten students 'graduate'

Kindergarten students around the district, like those at West Elementary (above), 'graduated' last week.

West Elementary recognized the kindergarten class for the 2009 school year last Wednesday at the West Elementary gymnasium.

It was one of several kindergarten "graduations" held by the district's elementary schools.

The gym was packed with parents and family members cheering on their young graduates. Also in the audience were West's first-grade classes ,who cheered on the graduates that will soon make their transition to the first grade.

Prior to the awarding of the students' diplomas, the students performed renditions of "Heartbeat of America," "Yankee Doodle" and "Big Dreams." The graduating class also led the audience in a mass singing of "America The Beautiful."

West Principal Nancy Brletic announced the names of the graduating class, as the students made their way to center stage and accepting their diplomas from their teachers, Amanda Moode, Andrea Feenstra and stand-in Lorna Smith.

"I now present our wonderful graduating class of 2009," said Brletic as the diploma ceremoney ended, followed by a raucous round of applause from the audience and their first-grade schoolmates.

Following the ceremony, the audience and graduates were treated to an outdoor reception with cake and ice cream.

"We had a great turnout. The class has done a wonderful job. The kids were great all year and the support they got from their parents was phenomenal," said Brletic.

For more photos, see the Mountain Home News Photo Gallery.