by Jennifer Ross
Kindergarten graduation at a public school in Brooklyn, July 22, 2026
They enter in their finery, the girls in pretty dresses, Goldilocks curls and black silken hair falling to the waist, a fiery redhead with an unruly mop, and others neatly braided. The boys are in polos, with some button-down shirts, and a standout with suspenders and a bowtie. Most have short backs and sides, but there are afros, a spiky purple “do”, and a would be Legolas, blond hair to the waist.
The parents and grandparents are welcomed in. The fashions cover the whole spectrum: mothers wear tank tops showing off taut torsos and tattoos, designer dresses with stiletto heels, shorts and flip flops, many hijabs, a burka and a niqab. The fathers are in smartly tailored suits, jeans, sweatpants, a colorful caftan and biker shorts. They wear caps with logos of the Mets, NY Yankees and today, New York’s darlings, the Knicks. There are turbans, a fez, and skull caps, as well as dreadlocks, colorfully braided.
They come from near, some having attended this same school, and from lands far away. They are Protestant, Catholic, Jew, Hindu, Jain, Muslim, Buddhist, agnostic and atheist. The auditorium is abuzz with many tongues.
Loved ones and teachers look on, hearts bursting with pride, tears of joy roll down cheeks.
The new graduates lift up their heads and sing in unison,“Take me up to the first grade, take me up to the stars…”*
*Sung to the tune, “Take me out to the ball game.”