On Saturday, July 25, Way to Grow celebrated our early learner graduates and their families at Mall of America®. The day was made possible in part thanks to the generosity of the MOA® Community Foundation.
Early Learner Graduation celebrates Way to Grow children as they get ready for kindergarten. It’s one of our favorite days of the year because we get to celebrate all they’ve learned, the families who’ve been there every step of the way, and the exciting adventure ahead!
Way to Grow parent Shanikwa wanted to make graduation even more memorable. So she surprised her family with a trip to Mall of America®, keeping the Early Learner Graduation celebration a secret until they arrived. Watching everyone’s faces light up when they realized why they were there made the day even more special.
After the celebration, Shanikwa shared:
“A surprise trip to the Mall of America turned into a beautiful celebration for Pre-K High Five graduates. 💙 Thank you, Way to Grow, for supporting families and reminding us that every milestone deserves to be celebrated. Grateful for programs that make moments like these possible.”
Her family’s experience truly reflects what the day is all about. It’s a celebration of children, of families, and of every child stepping into kindergarten ready to thrive!
A Celebration for Every Child
The ceremony opened with welcoming remarks from Way to Grow Director of Programs Patricia Wilson. Then CEO Coco Du took the stage to celebrate the children and families for all they’ve accomplished on their journey to kindergarten.
Then it was time for one special story. Dan Jasper, Strategic Content Advisor at Mall of America®, read Getting Ready for Kindergarten by Vera Ahiyya, an engaging story all about the excitement of starting kindergarten.
Following the book, Family Educators read out their students’ names one by one. Proud little graduates walked across the stage to receive their graduation medals as families cheered from the audience. Parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends gathered for photos, capturing a milestone they will remember for years to come.
After the ceremony, the fun and surprises continued. St. Paul Saints mascot Mudonna stopped by to celebrate with families, along with Nickelodeon Universe’s SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer. The room was full of laughter, hugs, and plenty of big smiles.
Learning, Laughter, and Community
After the graduation ceremony, the celebration turned into a carnival filled with games, prizes, and laughter. Way to Grow Family Educators and volunteers from Comcast worked side by side to create an afternoon of fun for every family. Family Educators staffed each game, cheering children on and celebrating their successes. Everyone enjoyed time together outside of their usual visits.
Throughout the day, families shared just how meaningful the celebration had been. For many, it was more than a graduation. It was a chance to celebrate how far their children have come and look ahead with excitement to everything kindergarten will bring.
Thank You!
Way to Grow is grateful to the MOA® Community Foundation for hosting this year’s Early Learner Graduation and creating such a memorable experience for our families. The celebration didn’t end there. The Foundation also provided 300 all-day Nickelodeon Universe wristbands for Way to Grow children, giving families even more time to celebrate together and make new memories.
Thank you to Dan Jasper for sharing a story with our graduates, to Nickelodeon Universe and the St. Paul Saints for helping make the day even more magical, and to our Comcast volunteers for bringing so much energy and joy to the day.
Most of all, congratulations to every little graduate and parent and caregiver who helped them reach this milestone! We can’t wait to see all the wonderful things you’ll do in kindergarten. 🎓🧡
