Thaddeus Stevens College was thrilled to celebrate more than 200 kindergarten graduates this year through our Adopt-A-Kindergarten Program, a partnership with the School District of Lancaster. This past school year, four of its elementary schools participated in the program. Two of those schools, Burrowes Elementary and Fulton Elementary, brought a classroom of their Kindergarten students to campus and we hosted graduation ceremonies for them! Students’ families, friends, college staff, faculty, and even Champ, our bulldog mascot, cheered on the young graduates. They wore caps and gowns, walked the stage, posed for photos, and even showcased a dance they learned throughout the school year.  

Throughout the year, faculty, staff, and students from various programs visited these four schools to lead hands-on STEM activities. These sessions introduced kindergarteners to potential future careers in trades and technology, sparking their interest in these fields from a young age.  

We owe a special thanks to our Director of K-16 & Strategic Initiatives, Melissa Day, for her dedication to creating innovative pathways for young Pennsylvanians. Her efforts ensure that the program not only supplements regular classroom learning with STEM-based education but also inspires higher educational aspirations among the students. 

  

The Adopt-A-Kindergarten Program aims to introduce young students to hands-on technology across various professional fields through educational demonstrations and STEM-related activities. The program includes campus visits, allowing kindergarteners to explore college labs, meet faculty, and participate in a graduation ceremony that motivates them to pursue further education.  

To see photos from the kindergarten graduation ceremonies, visit our Flickr album here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/thaddeusstevenscollege/albums.