By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News
Standing in line amongst their classmates, a cohort of Tulalip’s youngest learners patiently waited for DJ Auntie Monie to call their name. After receiving a cedar paddle necklace, they took a symbolic step into the future as they passed under an archway of cedar branches to the applause of hundreds. At that moment, a flash of each of their personalities shined bright as many students either took the time to strike a pose or hurry out of the limelight. But without fail, you could see their confidence and pride grow as they found their loved ones cheering them on in the crowd.
Held at the Tulalip Amphitheater on the morning August 16, the Paddling Forward ceremony was the Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy’s official return to an in-person celebration. Although the drive-thru style graduation was a hit during the pandemic, the excitement about this year’s event was electric among the families and staff, and especially the graduates who couldn’t wait for the festivities that would follow the ceremony. Altogether, there were over 100 graduates, with nearly 40 students moving up to preschool and about 70 kids transitioning to kindergarten this fall.
Beautiful regalia was on display as the kiddos rocked cedar caps or wool woven headbands for their big day. These were handmade by their families as a part of the Academy’s family culture nights. Each graduate also received a giftbag with their very own hand drum to take with them on their educational journey.
TELA excels in both introducing and instilling Tulalip’s culture and traditions to their students at a young age. This ultimately helps establish a foundation where they can continue learning and practicing the lifeways of their people throughout their lifetime. And in turn, pass the teachings on to the next generation.
TELA Director, Sheryl Fryberg, shared , “We have a new assessment called the LOVIT Way. So, teachers are always paying attention and thinking how they can integrate more culture and language, on a daily basis, into their classrooms, beyond what the Lushootseed teachers bring to us. It’s really enriching all of our children. A few years ago, we brought the Lushootseed teachers to birth-to-three and it’s making a huge impact. Our next step is getting it to the prenatal, because how do we learn English? When we’re in utero. We want them to have that because that’s where our language will live on. And for our culture, we have such great plans for this coming year because we have more people that are going to be working with Lushootseed. They’re called the Rediscovery Program, and it’s amazing that’s happening.”
Once each graduate received their paddle pendants, the students rushed toward the outer edges of the amphitheater where fun awaited them in the form of bouncy houses, a bubble station, and numerous carnival-style games and activities.
When asked if she could impart one final message to the recent graduates, Sheryl shared, “Reach for the stars and learn to love to learn. That’s the most important thing. I think that when we instill that in our babies, that sense of wonder, that’s where they’ll grow and find that thing that they love to do in their lives.”