Youngsters march off to a new beginning

Hightstown’s Better Beginnings preschoolers celebrated their graduation to kindergarten June 9.

By: Jessica Bowker
   HIGHTSTOWN—Graduates marched solemnly in pairs during the processional, donning their brightly colored caps and gowns, while parents snapped pictures to record the proud moment. The graduates, however, were only several feet tall, and the "degree" they received on June 9 was a loving send-off into the big wide world of kindergarten.
   It is graduation time at Better Beginnings preschool, and this year’s class of 38 children, divided into Super Doopers, Lollipops, and Smilies, is the school’s largest ever. Better Beginnings also has an after-school program, so it is likely many of the graduates will have the chance to return to the center.
   Awards were presented to Carol M. Jones, a four-year member of the center’s board of directors, who is leaving the area, and to keynote speaker Nancy Green, a 25-year assistant teacher who is retiring.
   The Shining Silver Star Award also was presented to Ms. Jones. The award is given yearly to an "outstanding contributor to the community" such as a local business, corporation, or board member, said Better Beginnings board member Sparki James.
   "I think it’s sweet of them to give it to me," Ms. Jones said. "It’s been wonderful being here. The children are always so polite, and to see the teachers working with them is just amazing."
   The students in the preschool range from 2½ years to kindergarten age, and some are bilingual. Additionally, many of them are from low-income families, since the children in the most financial need are taken first in accordance to Better Beginnings’ contract with the state, according to Director Emeritus Bettie Witherspoon.
   In the preschool, children are exposed to a variety of "corners" for learning such as literature, arts, and music, Ms. Witherspoon said.
   "The activities are based on the children’s individual learning styles, as well as their stage in learning development," said Ms. Witherspoon.
   Ms. Witherspoon credited the financial support of Better Beginnings from the federal, state, and local level as part of its success, and specifically acknowledged Mayor Janice Mironov who was in attendance at the graduation.
   "If we didn’t have the support of the municipality, we wouldn’t have made it," Ms. Witherspoon said.
   Mayor Mironov stressed the importance of Better Beginnings as a support service for working parents in the community.
   "It starts young people off with a strong sense of values," Mayor Mironov said, adding "and the kids look so cute."
   Ms. Witherspoon fought back tears in her introduction for the keynote speech, as she spoke of the celebration for the graduates with the sadness for the departing individuals.
   "I’m like this only one week a year, at graduation, where I am likely to burst into tears at the drop of a hat," Ms. Witherspoon said. "Please, hold on to your hats."
   Ms. Green, who attended Hightstown High School, spoke of her difficult start at Better Beginnings, including the distance she was forced to travel because at the time she was without a driver’s license.
   "I didn’t intend to stay a year let alone 25," Ms. Green said. "My commute time was almost as long as my work shift."
   Ms. Green’s enjoyment of her job kept her at the center, and eventually led to her getting her driver’s license. The shiny gowns worn by the graduates were yellow for the Super Doopers, red for the Lollipops, and blue for the Smilies. The children are placed into groups with openings when they enter school, and graduate when they advance to kindergarten.
   Bershane Grimsley, 44, of Twin Rivers beamed at the graduates including her 5-year-old son, Curtis Grimsley II.
   "This is my second graduation, and it’s always very exciting," Ms. Grimsley said. "It’s a very special occasion for the kids and their parents, it reminds you of a high school or college graduation."