FEATURES
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2019
HERMISTONHERALD.COM • A13
Class of 2031 celebrates graduation
Staff photo by E.J Harris
Kindergartner Elza Lemus waves to her father while onstage during a kindergarten graduation ceremony on June 11 at Rocky Heights Elementary School in Hermiston.
Staff photo by E.J. Harris
Staff photo by E.J. Harris
Staff photo by E.J. Harris
Kindergartners walk past a sign with a Dr. Seuss quote on
it while walking to the gym for a kindergarten graduation
ceremony on June 11 in Hermiston.
Kindergartner Matai Faaeteete shakes hands with
principal Jared Farley before receiving his diploma during
a kindergarten graduation ceremony on June 11 at Rocky
Heights Elementary School in Hermiston.
Alisia Oliveros of Hermiston records students singing “ABC You
Later” on her mobile device during a kindergarten Graduation
ceremony on June 11 at Rocky Heights Elementary School in
Hermiston.
By JESSICA POLLARD
STAFF WRITER
There are 98 kindergarten graduates at Rocky
Heights Elementary school this year and — as
parents and family learned last week — all of
them can count to 100.
Kindergarten grad Morgyn said the hard-
est part of kindergarten was learning her sight
words.
“But now I got them all,” she said.
The last day of school for Hermiston students
was Thursday, but on June 11 friends and fam-
ily attended a graduation ceremony for the kin-
dergarten class that included a video presenta-
CRYPTOQUIP
tion with highlights from the year, complete with
photos using a Snapchat fi lter which made the
fi ve-year-olds look like 85-year-olds.
The grads poured into the gym with their grad
caps, holding hands in pairs of two. Principal
Jerad Farley, donning a graduation cloak him-
self, gave a welcome to the crowd before super-
intendent Tricia Mooney took the stage.
“Today is a very special day,” she said.
While kindergarteners may have started the
year not knowing their shapes, letters and num-
bers, they are leaving with that knowledge and
more, Mooney said.
“You learned how to play well with others.
You learned how to be a friend. Boys and girls,
SUPER CROSSWORD: CATCHING FISH
you are all incredible people,” she said.
When Principal Farley asked the students to
stand if they knew their letters and sounds, the
whole class stood.
The graduates got squirmy as names were
called for the handing out of diplomas.
“Eyes on me!” Principal Farley told the
students.
“Eyes on you!” They all replied.
For kindergartener Damien, the best part of
the year was graduation. He enjoyed taking pic-
tures with his family after the ceremony.
Graduate Kaylyn had some wise advice for
students looking to become fi rst graders.
“Work hard,” she said.
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