Youngest To’Hajiilee graduates step up and onto path to higher education
A young graduate walks down the red carpet as To’Hajiilee’s preschool graduation kicks off. (Special to the Times – Colleen Keane)
Pre-school graduate Zillah Platero holds up her certificate of promotion during the To’Hajiilee Community School’s ceremony on June 12. (Special to the Times – Colleen Keane)
TO’HAJIILEE, N.M.
A young graduate walks down the red carpet as To’Hajiilee’s preschool graduation kicks off. (Special to the Times – Colleen Keane)
Four-year-old Alexander Apachito couldn’t wait until graduation day. It finally came the night of May 12. That’s when he and about 20 other To’Hajiilee preschoolers received certificates of promotion to the next phase of their education.
“They gave me a present!” said Apachito proudly as he held up his certificate.
“We are making positive gains with each student,” said Vizaria Apachito, his mother and one of the school’s bilingual preschool teachers.
Chad Abeyta, the father of preschooler Hailey Abeyta, said, “I’m super excited that my daughter is graduating.” He added that he’s especially pleased with the preschool program because it incorporates Navajo language teaching.
“The preschool is culture-based. Hailey is learning her Navajo language. She can introduce herself in Navajo,” he said.
Dressed traditionally in a velvet violet dress under her rose-colored graduation gown, the young Abeyta gave the welcoming address at the graduation in the Navajo language.
“In the future, I see her being involved with her people, becoming a distinguished person,” said Chad Abeyta with pride in his daughter’s accomplishments.
To read the full article, pick up your copy of the Navajo Times at your nearest newsstand Thursday mornings!
Are you a digital subscriber? Read the most recent three weeks of stories by logging in to your online account.
Highway 264,
I-40, WB @ Winslow