‘We really miss them’
High school seniors aren’t the only ones craving a good ol’ graduation ceremony
Times Observer photos by Kate Cataldo Leah Gorgacz — YMCA Pre-K teacher for the 3-year-olds, taught the graduating students last year and came to see them and cheer them on.
-
- Tyler Gustafson
-
- Photo from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame The most famous member of the Penns, Buddy Jeannette would go on to a Hall of Fame career and coach both at Georgetown University and in the NBA.
-
- Public domain photo Buddy Jeannette would go on to a Hall of Fame career in the 1940s.
-
- Photo courtesy of nbahoopsonline.com Gerry Archibald, the owner of the Warren Penns.
-
- Photo from baseball-reference.com Archibald “Al” Hall played for the Troy Trojans and Cleveland Blues. A catastrophic injury ended his career and he died at the Warren State Hospital just five years later.
-
- Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton Hall isn’t listed among those buried at the Warren State Hospital Cemetery but that possibility can’t be entirely excluded since there’s no record of where else Hall might be buried. The cemetery was established in 1881 so the possibility does exist.
-
- Public domain photo The main building at the Warren State Hospital was completed in 1882 though the hospital had opened two years earlier.
-
- Times Observer photos by Kate Cataldo Braelyn Kent soaking up the cheers and smiles.
-
- Times Observer photos by Kate Cataldo Proud grandparents of a student cheering from a distance.
-
- Times Observer photos by Kate Cataldo Amy Carlson, Child care director at YMCA, excitedly welcoming graduates through the parade.
-
- Times Observer photos by Kate Cataldo The gift bags and diplomas for the graduating class.
-
- Times Observer photos by Kate Cataldo Staff cheering on student driving through graduation parade.
-
- Times Observer photos by Kate Cataldo Penelope Rex — Pre-K grad — is moving on up to kindergarten in the fall.
-
- Times Observer photos by Kate Cataldo Leah Gorgacz — YMCA Pre-K teacher for the 3-year-olds, taught the graduating students last year and came to see them and cheer them on.
-
- Photo submitted to Times Observer Jamestown High School graduate Hannah Hornyak is the 2020 recipient of Audubon Community Nature Center’s Ryan Exline Memorial Scholarship. She is shown here (at left) with Audubon Education Coordinator Sarah Hatfield, participating in the May 2 Birdathon that funded the scholarship.
-
- Photos submitted to Times Observer Mariette Williams working in the Textile Collection Room at the Historical Society.
-
- Photos submitted to Times Observer Greg Cross in the library of the Warren County Historical Society.
-
- Photos submitted to Times Observer As a member of the Desperados 4-H Horse club, Samantha Greer placed second in the Junior Division of the East-West Challenge week 1.
-
- Photos submitted to Times Observer Scandia Trail Blazers member Kierra Wismar placed second in the Junior Division of the East-West Challenge week 2.
-
- Photo submitted to Times Observer As the first Warren County 4-H member to be selected to the prestigious Pennsylvania 4-H State Council, Audrey Ferrie will be a guest speaker and presenter during the virtual Camp Giddy UP Go scheduled for June 14 at the Warren County Fairgrounds.
The clouds broke and the sun peeked through on Friday morning for the YMCA Preschool graduation ceremony — albeit a unique one.
Parents lined up with their little graduates in tow to parade through the Warren County YMCA parking lot to receive their diplomas and officially get sent off kindergarten.
“I think I only cried once,” said Amy Carlson, Child Care Director at the Y, as she cheered on the students riding through to say their summer goodbyes.
YMCA Pre-K teacher Sandy Schott said she, staff, and parents collectively decided a Friday morning parade for the graduation ceremony would be the best and safest way to recognize the children in a special way for achieving their milestone.
Times Observer photos by Kate Cataldo Penelope Rex — Pre-K grad — is moving on up to kindergarten in the fall.
Many YMCA staff and relatives of the students showed up to show their support. Everyone was excited and in good spirits as they got a chance to see each other — even from a distance — and celebrate in a healthy way.
According to Carlson, the toughest part has been learning and going through the process of social distancing.
The drive-through parade was planned about two weeks ago when a “normal” ceremony wasn’t possible.
Schott said they typically do more for the kids to tell each of their stories.
In a typical graduation ceremony, they would share things like what the kids want to be when they grow up, what the kids’ favorite things are, and celebrate in a little more detail.
Times Observer photos by Kate Cataldo Staff cheering on student driving through graduation parade.
They may not have been able to organize a normal ceremony this year but, according to Schott, they were just happy to see them again and get the kids their gifts and diplomas.
Not only did the graduating Pre-K class get to ride through and see the YMCA teachers and staff, but the 3-year-old Pre-K class, and other child care kids, were also invited to come through after the graduates were all through the line.
“We really miss them,” said Carlson.
Times Observer photos by Kate Cataldo The gift bags and diplomas for the graduating class.
Times Observer photos by Kate Cataldo Amy Carlson, Child care director at YMCA, excitedly welcoming graduates through the parade.
Times Observer photos by Kate Cataldo Proud grandparents of a student cheering from a distance.
Times Observer photos by Kate Cataldo Braelyn Kent soaking up the cheers and smiles.
Local News
Ohio woman dies in Saturday crash in Triumph Twp.
A Sandusky, Ohio, woman was killed in an ATV crash that occurred in Triumph Twp. at about 11:45 p.m. on Saturday. ...
Dialogue in Harrisburg on adult-use cannabis continues
The debate over whether to legalize adult-use cannabis continues in the state House. A House Health Committee ...
Water Street apartment building removed from blight list
A prominent Water Street property has been removed from the City of Warren’s blight list. An apartment at 500 ...
Arts education
‘Restraint’ of local officer praised at assault charge sentencing
A Warren man was sentenced to probation for spitting on a police officer and injuring the nurse. But it was the ...
City council approves contract to start cable franchise negotiation
Back in May 2015, the city of Warren entered into a cable franchise agreement with what was then Atlantic ...