With tiny caps and gowns and even bigger smiles, the youngest learners in Spring ISD took the stage Friday morning to mark their very first academic milestone. In a joyful celebration held at the district’s Family and Community Engagement Center, 26 preschoolers from the Smart Start Early Learning Program were honored during the 2025 graduation ceremony.

Parents, family members, and home instructors filled the Grand Room, flashing proud smiles as their children proudly crossed the stage to accept their diplomas from Superintendent Dr. Lupita Hinojosa. The air was filled with camera clicks, laughter, and applause — all wrapped in the unmistakable energy of promise.

“Early childhood education is so important,” Hinojosa said. “Smart Start has helped build the bridge to transition both students and parents into elementary school. Thanks to this program, our graduates are not just ready for Pre-K. They’re confident, capable and curious learners.”

Smart Start is a free, bilingual early childhood program offered to Spring ISD families with preschool-age children. Through a unique blend of weekly in-home instruction, interactive group learning, and digital communication tools like ClassDojo, the program equips both children and their caregivers with the foundational skills needed for school success.

“Our number one priority is to coach the parents,” said Spring ISD Family Empowerment Coordinator Ysabel Luna. “Coaching the parents to work with the child so that they have those skills throughout their academic career is incredibly important. We want to build good habits and good communication between the students and parents.”

Throughout the ceremony, parents were celebrated alongside their students. Each was awarded a certificate in recognition of their active role in their child’s learning journey.

“It is so important to establish a foundation,” said Spring ISD Family Empowerment Specialist Zulma Xitumul. “What we do here gives the kids and the parents the tools to succeed in the future. It is a huge responsibility because we know that we are molding the next generation.”

Standing side by side with her daughter Zanayah Rivera, Destinie Mitchell beamed with pride as they crossed the stage together. It was a moment that highlighted the growth they both went through.

“It was a great experience for both myself and Zanayah,” Mitchell said. “Our instructor was teaching her how to perform in a classroom by making sure she has etiquette and a good foundation. I’m really happy with how she was taught and to see her grow and learn everyday makes me excited for her future.”

Adding to the celebration, each graduate received a special gift to encourage learning at home: an English and Spanish book kit as well as a family engagement and literacy learning kit, both generously donated by The Michelle Project.

As students from classrooms led by Marissa Allen, Maria Galindo, Natalya Hogan, Samantha Morris and Yudeisy Rivas crossed the stage one by one, applause filled the room again and again. Each child received a diploma from Dr. Hinojosa and a moment to shake her hand just as their high school counterparts will do as they cross the stage.

In her closing remarks, Xitumul reminded families that this ceremony was just the beginning.

“Take a look at your Smart Start graduate in their white cap and gown,” Xitumul said addressing the crowd. “This is more than just a celebration — it’s the beginning of a lifelong journey of learning. One day, your child won’t be in a white cap and gown anymore. They’ll be walking across a stage in the colors of a Spring ISD high school — red, green, blue, black or navy — ready to graduate and take on the world.”

🚀🎓The Smart Start 2025 Graduates were as follows:

Students of Marissa Allen
Ayson Aguayo
Emi Morfin
Alison Navarro
Zanayah Rivera
Zacharia Whyte

Students of Yudeisy Rivas
Aylin Castillo
Ethan Castro
Christopher Dominic Luna
Ethan Paz
Lucia Perdomo

Students of Maria Galindo
Daisy Moran
Valentina Guzman
Ian Cuellar
Jade Cruz Urbina
Sofia Banarez
Dahlia Rose Ali

Students of Natalya Hogan
Samuel Aguilar
Renata Arellano
Courtney Burrell
Camila Flores
Jrew Graves
Melody Deiari Mendez-Melgar

Students of Samantha Morris
Johnny Puga
Damien Merino
Zayne Coss
Eliany Alfaro-Meneses