History was made when Laredo Community College graduated its youngest class of students—five-year-olds from the Camilo Prada Child Development Center—during a commencement exercise Friday, May 5.
The first graduating class of the Prada Child Development Center at LCC South was recognized during the commencement held at the Billy Hall Student Center.
Others honored included 18-month-old, two-year-old, three-year-old and four-year-old students who have completed classes at the center.
The ceremony was attended by parents, relatives and friends of the graduates, as well as college administration, faculty, staff and invited guests.
“I am proud to introduce the first graduating class of the Camilo Prada Child Development Center at Laredo Community College South. The college congratulates these graduates for completing the initial phase of their education at LCC, and we look forward to welcoming them again later in life when they are ready to pursue a college degree or to obtain the skills needed for a rewarding career,” Francisco Martinez Jr., LCC South provost, said.
LCC president Dr. Ramon H. Dovalina, LCC Board president Ramiro V. Martinez and Board secretary Cynthia Mares were on hand to confer diplomas and awards to the honorees.
Among those from the first graduating class are Austin C. Holmgreen, Adrian I. Lopez, Ivan P. Lopez, Sarai A. Martinez, Nicolas Morales, Kassandra Ramirez, Larissa Rodriguez, Kayla Solis and Karlos A. Vargas.
Each graduate received $50 to establish an interest-earning savings account, courtesy of Wells Fargo Bank and the Francisco Martinez Sr. Memorial Scholarship fund at LCC.
Alejandro Cabezut, president of Wells Fargo Bank, and Provost Martinez made the announcement after the graduates were awarded their diplomas.
Another highlight was the presentation of graduation gifts to the nine honorees by Cristina Prada, widow of Camilo Prada for whom the child development center is named in memory.
LCC also awarded certificates of completion for students who completed the coursework for their grade level.
Students of the 18-month-old class were Carlos E. Andaverde, Angela Cantu, Beth Ann Garcia, Brianna C. Garza, Gavin Guzman, Roxana Portugal and Allen Rodriguez.
Completers of the early two-year-old class were Denese I. Hernandez, Zaddie L. Gomez, Salvador Jaramillo, Wenceslao Lopez Jr., Oscar M. Solis, Ariadna G. Vela, Leroy Villarreal, Mathew B. Villareal and Rodrick J. Villareal.
Honorees of the two-year-old class included Zachary Deleza Jr., Andrea A. Mancha, Alejandro Mejorada, Mauricio J. Mendoza, Marc Mutuc, Luis A. Ramirez, Alberto M. Reyes, Rebecca A. Rodriguez, Nazvy Salinas and Johnie Williams.
The late two-year-old class included Faith B. Butler, Anthony Carrillo III, Alexa De La Rosa, Felix Garcia Jr., Joseph Garza, Reynaldo Lopez III, Brandon G. Peche, Alexandra L. Ramos, Rodrigo R. Soliz and Aide Vasquez.
Among those honored from the three- and four-year-old class were Alberto A. Buenfil, Timothy M. Cantu, Richard J. Chapa, Travis D. Holmgreen, Sabrina Mendoza, Jacob D. Perez, Emiliano M. Rangel, Catheryn R. Rodriguez and Noah Segovia-Tello.
The Camilo Prada Child Development Center offers daycare and progressive instruction for children ages 18 months to 5.
Fully credentialed staff serves children's needs with a curriculum and assessment based on developmentally appropriate practices.
The learning experiences are both culturally sound and developmentally appropriate in the social, intellectual, physical and emotional domains.
The creative curriculum is combined with the bilingual homegrown Aprendiendo Juntos curriculum.
The center, which opened in fall of 2004 and operates year-round, is licensed by the Department of Family and Protective Services.
Enrollment is under way for two sessions of Summer Camp June 5-16 and July 10-21. Camp is Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The camp fee for each two-week session is $100 with meals included.
For more information, call 794-4561.
The first graduating class of five-year-old students from the Camilo Prada Child Development Center at Laredo Community College South included, from left, front row, Karlos A. Vargas, Kayla Solis, Larissa Rodriguez and Sarai A. Martinez; back, Austin C. Holmgreen, Kassandra Ramirez and Adrian I. Lopez.
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