St. Jude hosts first kindergarten graduation in 5 years
Graduate Aerial Williams shares the spotlight with her brother. (Courtesy St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital)
In the season of graduation, 22 patients at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital graduated from kindergarten Friday, May 17, the first time the hospital has held the ceremony since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The youngsters graduated from the Imagine Academy by Chili’s, the hospital’s school that is accredited as a special-purpose institution. It has 13 teachers who provide individualized instruction for students in preschool through 12th grade.
The school is designed to help patients keep up with their classwork when their treatment requires them to be away from home for extended periods.
In a sampling of the career ambitions among the kindergartners, at least one wanted to be a teacher. Others have their sights set on being a video-game designer, doctor, veterinarian, crossing guard, fireman, policeman, swimming teacher, cheerleader and mother.
Allayah Matthews and Evelyn Champion celebrate their achievement in the kindergarten graduation on Friday at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. (Submitted)
The class includes Grayson Horne, Amiyah Jeffries, Ryleigh Williams, Evelyn Champion and Aliyah Matthews. (Submitted)
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