Merryhill kindergartners grab diplomas

They filed in wearing pint-sized robes and mortarboards of royal blue. They also wore solemn faces. These kindergarten students knew this was a serious occasion -- their graduation.

The June 12 ceremony was held in the auditorium at Merryhill School, 2160 Snow Trail. The ceremony honored the school's largest kindergarten class yet, 85 students. More than 200 people attended, some bringing bouquets to give their child afterward.

Donna Chamberlin, there to watch her son, Austin, 6, receive his diploma, said when her oldest son graduated kindergarten 10 years ago it was nothing special, just a little program held in each classroom.

"Austin is so nervous about this," Chamberlin said, before the students filed in. "He got up this morning and said he didn't feel well, that his stomach hurts. He said maybe he shouldn't go."

Along the walls were silhouettes of youngsters in caps and gowns, clutching diplomas. Silver and blue helium balloons filled the room and stars were suspended from the ceiling. Toward the back, each kindergarten class had a table set up with its own sheet cake, decorated to include the names of each student.

The decorations were nice, but when "Pomp and Circumstance" began to play, all eyes turned to the youngsters, who stepped into the room in single file and individually made their way to the stage.

When they were all on stage, Brownie Troop 312 presented the flag and the students recited the "Pledge of Allegiance" and "The Star Spangled Banner." That was followed by brief speeches by Gary Lea, executive director, and principal Ken Smith, who referred to Robert Fulghum's "All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten."

But things soon moved to the moment the parents had been waiting for, when their children received their diplomas.

The presentation of each class was made by the teachers, who expressed a few thoughts on the school year and the students progress.

Teacher Todd Marolf recounted some anecdotes, like when a student thought the answer to seven plus five was 11. When told he was incorrect he said, "But I'm really warm, aren't I?" and being told "the wind makes flags happy."

"Those are the prizes of teaching kindergarten," Marolf told the audience. "That's what made this year truly special."

Each class stood when it was their turn, then individually made their may to the podium to shake hands and receive their diplomas. There was polite applause for each one, with a few whoops and a whistle or two here and there. One student, obviously at ease in front of a crowd, struck a jaunty pose when he was handed his paper, eliciting chuckles from the audience.

The event was professionally videotaped but most parents had their own cameras, both video and still. The number of flash bursts increased each time a diploma was handed over. Once the hour-long ceremony concluded, cake, punch and fruit were served and there were more photos taken.

Afterward, Smith also spoke proudly of the students' efforts to help the community throughout the year. During the recent Jump Rope for Heart fund-raiser, the student body raised $9,300. The school raised a record $9,600 for Cystic Fibrosis during its annual Walk-A-Thon. It donated more than two tons of canned food to the Salvation Army during a food-drive and last Christmas, 17 classrooms, working with Candlelighters, adopted a terminally ill child.

"It's extraordinarily important (for youngsters to be involved in supporting the community)," Smith said. "It gives them an opportunity to understand and realize what giving is all about."

Smith, who has more than 30 years in education, has been at the helm of Merryhill since November 1997.

"I've worked to set a tone that's conducive to learning," he said. "One parent told me her child cries when he can't come to school on Saturdays. That's what I love to hear."

Two days after the graduation ceremonies, the school held its Field Day, which began with a parade at 8:30 a.m. and ended with the annual fifth-grade vs. faculty softball game.

Merryhill's Summerlin campus opened in 1997 with 97 students. It has grown to more than 300 today. The school can be reached at 242-8838.