While B-CC’s Class of 2024 will not graduate until June 10, members of the class of 2037 had their big day today. On Thursday, May 23, the children who for the last year have attended preschool at B-CC—led by Child Development students—officially graduated. 

For the high schoolers who helped these so-called “Little Barons” along their preschool journey, the moment was bittersweet. “It was sad to see them go,” said Junior Olivia Brawner, “but I’m excited for the new kids next year.” Fellow Junior Chloe Cohen, another Child Development student at B-CC, added, “[The kids] are going to do great.”

That sentiment wasn’t unique to Cohen. Having been taught under the best of the best for a year, the overall feeling was that the graduates had bright futures awaiting them. “Your acts of kindness,” principal Dr. Mooney told the graduates in his commencement speech, “can create a brighter and better future for everyone.” 

This graduation came as the culmination of months of hard work by students in the Child Development class. “We plan lessons, we teach them, and we observe them,” said Cohen, referring to the preschoolers. “We teach them basic letters, numbers, colors, and about different subjects,” Brawner explained. But for the entire year of hard work put in by these and other students in the program, the successful pre-kindergarten experience for the now-graduates never would have been possible.

All together, the graduation was a rousing success. From a well-practiced and impressively performed musical number, to an adorable slideshow detailing their various exploits, the Little Barons thrived in their well-deserved spotlight. Other highlights from the ceremony included each preschooler receiving a unique award—complete with a certificate celebrating it—and a heartwarming poem written by the high schoolers who taught them. 

While the seniors may still have a couple weeks left to prepare, the bar for graduations this year has been set high.