Better Beginnings Graduation Sends Off Students in Colorful Ceremony

Doctors, teachers and artists – these are just a few of the “When I grow up” aspirations the 29 graduates of the Better Beginnings Child Development Center hope to someday achieve.

 Yesterday they stood resplendent in bold, primary-colored gowns smiling, freshly minted diplomas in hand in front of their family, friends and community at the First Presbyterian Church.

 Tomorrow the members of the 44th graduating class will head out into the world, ready to continue a life-long love of learning and, like most youngsters, a summer filled with fun and laughter before starting kindergarten in the fall.

 But before endless games of tag and other hot weather joys, the students sat attentive on stage, listening to the sage words of the school’s executive director, Luz Horta, who gave her speech in English and had a Spanish translator available for Spanish-speaking audience members.

 She told the students parents and community that although there are no crystal balls that can predict the students’ future, she and the entire Better Beginnings program, which strives to provide affordable child car for working parents in the Hightstown and East Windsor area, are confident of each pupil’s skills and moxie.

 Evidence of this success, she noted, was readily apparent by the dozen alumni who were present. The former preschool students included nurses, professionals, and students who serve in the military.

 “All of these former students are engaged in [the community] and serve in a very important part of our lives,” she said.

 Board President Liston Abbott, emphasized the idea of child learning and education as a “village” venture, and that the entire community plays a role in demonstrating and supporting each other.

 “We are a village, and together we are capable,” he reminded the audience.

 Honored guest speaker, East Windsor Mayor Janice Mironov, encouraged the students to never lose sight of their thirst for knowledge.

 “It’s important to celebrate and congratulate them – Better Beginnings is an important link in our village, and [the students] are in fact the treasures of our community – and are, as is, our future,” she said of the graduating class.

 The three groups – the “Smiles,” the “Super Doopers,” and the “Lollipops,” stood and sang to the audience in groups, before joining in all together with a rendition of “Hello to All the Children in the World.”

Of the 29 graduates in the Class of 2011, 10 said they would like to be a doctor, three listed their future goals of fighting fires on a regular basis, four students want to teach, and a five students wish to stake out a career in the arts.

 Among the members of the 2011 Better Beginnings graduating class are: Kailyn Aguilar, Joselin Arias, Dylan Buestan, Adriana Camposano, Mia Campoverde, Luis Celis, Alexis Chasi, Alexa Chimbo, Emily Cochancela, Evelyn Conde, Shakeer Felizar, Brigitte Flores, Priscilla Flores, Bryanna Frueh, Luis Jarrin, Emma Jenkins, Valerie Martos, Alejandro Medina, Jaylen Montalvan, Alysson Moreno, Erik Ortiz, Stephanie Placencia, Briana Sanchez, Hailey Sandoval, Derek Solares, Joshua Sotovando, Gregory Thompson, and Isaac Velez.