YMCA Preschool Graduation

By Joanne A Calitri | June 20, 2019

The YMCA Preschool 2019 graduates are: Alexander Amirsadeghi, Jesse Baker, Carter Christensen, Diego De Souza, Eden Fletcher, Lucas Friedman, Arthur Gauthier, Hunter Hartley, Alanna Millinghaus, Kyle Neely,and Cairo Rivera.

The Montecito Family YMCA Pre-School 2019 Graduation took place on Tuesday June 4 at 6:15 pm in their Program Center. The grads, with handmade caps on, performed three songs and recited nursery rhymes for their families in the audience.

They received diplomas from their teacher, Annie Fischer, Preschool Director, who said, “This is my twenty-eighth year teaching at the Y. These children have grown so much. Throughout the year, intentional, engaging and challenging activities that were play-based offered the children what they needed to prepare for the rigors of Kindergarten. We are so proud of our students. They have become caring, kind, and collectively minded little people. As they pray each day, thank you for the world so sweet, thank you for the food we eat, thank you for the birds that sing, thank you God for everything! We are grateful for another wonderful year!”

Teaching with Ms. Fischer is Lauren Gartrell and teacher assistants are Ruth Ambriz and Janet Langley.

El Montecito Early School Graduation

The 2019 El Montecito Early School Graduating Class are: Hunter Danny Bryant, Noah Michael Carlson, Oliver Augustus Conway, Quinn Thomas Dilbeck, Maya Elizabeth Hendel, Carson Jonathan Hess, Hudson Davis Jay, Navi Marie Loya, Johannes Jacob Overgaag, Wesley Paul Overgaag, Lucas Tae-San Pak, James Robert Petersen, Blake Henricus Rightmer, Oliver Lee Shiffman, Eliot Stephen Tande, Taylor Grace Walters, Amelia Sloan Yonker and Kanani Kay Zertuche.

The El Montecito Early School 2019 graduation held two graduation ceremonies on Friday, June 7 at 1 pm in the El Montecito Church Sanctuary.Following prayers and speeches, School Director Miss Suzy Dobreski called each student by name to the podium where the meaning of their name, a personalized scripture passage, and what they want to be when they grow up was read by the teachers, along with receiving their diploma. The teachers are: Sea Otter Teachers Miss Lisa and Miss Haley, Sea Star Teacher Miss Jenna, Dolphins Teacher Miss Monica, Sea Turtle Teacher Miss Melanie and Jellyfish Teacher Miss Casey. Ceremony music was performed by Emily Sommermann on violin and Brandon Kinalele on ukulele.

The 2019 El Montecito Early School Acknowledgement of four-year olds transitioning to new schools: Jason Anthony Carlin, Theodore William Sullivan, Ava Elise Stengel,and Finnley George Zondagh.

Miss Suzy said, “As we stand on the brink of transition from preschool to kindergarten, we had the privilege of teaching your children the social graces, emotional well-being and academic, with the Lord Jesus as the most important building block. I applaud the parents for their support in the education of their children. We are better together, we are strong, we are ELMO.”

Closing the ceremony the graduates sang “Promise To Be.” They received a Bible from Miss Suzy. A reception was held in the Parish Hall.

Laguna Blanca Lower School Graduation

The 2019 Laguna Blanca Fourth Grade graduates are: Soren Alldredge, Rafa Amezaga, Maritza Barrera, Katelyn Becerra, Hayes Costner, Olivia De Meyer, Austin Downing, Carolina Duron Angeles, Shaia Engel, Avery Jones, Joshua Lopez, Sydney Myers, Austin Nocerino, and Daniel Renick.

The Laguna Blanca Lower School Fourth Grade 2019 Graduation was held at the Lower School Campus on Thursday, June 6 at 9 am. Present were the Head of Laguna Blanca School Rob Hereford, Chair of the Board of Trustees Hani Zeini, Head of the Lower School Andy Surber,and fourth grade teacher Farrah Martin, instructional assistant Ursula Chan,and members of the Lower School Faculty.

The graduates performed “Bouffons” by Thoinot Arbeau and their rock band performed “Paranoid.” Following the presentation of certificates and the graduates parachute performance to “You Raise Me Up,” a short reception was held.

Andy Surber said, “This is a special fourth grade class. It is made up of athletes, performers, problem solvers, creative thinkers, and overall amazing people. They are leaving a lasting impact on our campus with their sense of humor, grit, and persistence. Our faculty and staff wish this class the best as they continue their Laguna Blanca education on the Hope Ranch Campus.”