MARION -- Thirty-one pre-K children graduated Kiddie City at a ceremony conducted Thursday morning at Marion High School.
Director Rani Walker is now in her seventh year with the program. She is following in the footsteps of her mother, Linda, who coordinated the program 36 years.
Walker said all of her high school students received state certification, Level 1 status in Early Childhood Education. She added that her seniors also received an honors cord from John A. Logan College for dual-credit classes involving Early Childhood Educaton.
Preschoolers graduating the program this semester include: Abigail Jessie, Aria Stortzum, Bay Dannells, Bo Beard, Camryn Tate, Carson Zdankiewicz, Daxton Duty, Dillon Hood, Drake Hazel, Ella Dean, Ella Sircher, Elene Moore, Emerson Buffington, Grayson Baker, Gentri Lenon, Hadley Presley, Harrison Williams, Jackson True, Jaxson Fike, Jaxon Lenon, Kaydin Schroeder, Keyan Nave, Lauren Walker, Leyton Townzen, Logan Turner, Luke Corzine, Lyla Zettler, Mike Sinnen, Millie Blue, Paislee Deathridge and Skyler Olde.
Emphasis of instruction this semester was English and Spanish. The children also learned several group songs that they performed at graduation, including: "Turtle in a Box," "Peanut Butter," "Wheels on the Bus," "Three Little Monkeys Jumping on a Bed," and "Alice the Camel."
Those Child Care 2 students serving as instructors to the children include: Assistant Danna Campbell, Assistant Karlee Webb, Lainey Horrell, Logan Quance, Madison Robinson, Makayla Nicholson, Miranda Lange, Sarah Smith, Sophia Spence, Danielle Mayfield, Haley Van Horn, Jaidyn Porter, Jasa Bell, Jaylen Rice-Locket, Josilyn Stutz, Kameela Lacy, Kenady Lober and Taylor Bundren.
Child Care 1 students serving as instructors to the children were: Alivia Webb, Kaylee Evans, Carley Reichert, Lissa Villa, Cheri Williams, Peytie Lindquist, Emily Meneese, Ryley Gooch, Hannah Granderson, Sabrian Rush, Isabella Francis, Sarah Alderman, Jaide Jones, Kaitylyn Herring, Taven Klingaman, Kassia Kwasniewski and Taylor Hoffman.
