Head Start grads excited to join 'big kids'

Head Start graduate Rose Wallace proudly posed for photos with family and friends after celebrating a milestone moment in her life. Next school year, she will join the “big kids” as a kindergarten student.

“I’m excited I get to ride the bus and play with my friends next year,” she said. “My sister told me about the big playground.”

Just a few hours earlier on Wednesday, Wallace’s older sister graduated from kindergarten.

Jayson Elsworth accepts his certificate from teacher Elaina Phelps during the Poplar Bluff North Head Start graduation ceremony. DAR/Denise Kinder

Following the day filled with two graduations, step-mom Brittney Robinson said she was excited and overwhelmed.

“I’m nervous she’s officially starting school now,” Robinson said. “She’s very smart, but she has been in preschool for two years so it will be different.”

Before heading out of the Tinnin Center on the campus of Three Rivers College, Keiley Huskey made her rounds to hug all her classmates before officially beginning summer break.

Neveaha Boyer poses with her Poplar Bluff North Head Start teacher Elaina Phelps before heading home to officially begin summer break. DAR/Denise Kinder

“She has to hug every single person each day before pick up,” father Anthony Huskey said. “Her teacher said she had to start letting her give hugs at 2:45 p.m. each day.”

Jonquinche Matthews snapped photos of her daughter, Savvy Davis, before accepting her certificate.

“I’m proud of her,” she said. “They grow up so fast.”

Jonquinche Matthews (right) snaps a photo of her daughter, Savvy Davis, after receiving her certificate from Poplar Bluff North Head Start. DAR/Denise Kinder

Matthews added her daughter is excited to start “big school” like her older siblings this fall.

According to Site Supervisor Gabriel Cantu, 63 students ages 3 to 5, walked across the stage to accept their certificates.

“I’m definitely going to miss the kids,” Cantu said. “I spent a lot of time in the classes this year so I got to know the kids more than a normal supervisor.”

Rose Wallace (left) and Keiley Huskey share a hug after celebrating their graduation from Poplar Bluff North Head Start. Huskey is known for hugging each of her classmates at the end of each school day. DAR/Denise Kinder

Cantu added the first experience with Head Start will stick with students.

Some of the staff have even been through the Head Start program themselves and one is now a teacher at the Karen West location, he said.

Teacher Elaina Phelps said she enjoyed her students during her first year at the Poplar Bluff Head Start North location.

While the year had been overwhelming at times, Phelps also added it was exciting and full of new things.

“Congratulations,” she said to her students. “It was all worth it to see them go on to kindergarten.”