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KINGSTON — The Great Room of the Wyoming Valley Montessori School was filled with color and sound Thursday as 14 kindergarten students honored their mothers in anticipation of Mother’s Day.
Dressed in their best outfits, the students made their way onto the stage with colorful flowers and smiles.
Primary teacher Maria Godfrey said the event provided not only an opportunity to celebrate the special bond mothers have with their children, but also for the students to practice life skills learned in the classroom.
“Our practical life skill area emphasizes such skills as careful carrying and pouring, as well as grace and manners,” said Godfrey.
The presentation brought both laughter and tears, with Godfrey reminding attendees of the nature of motherhood.
Mothers, she said, hurt so very much when their children hurt, are willing to go without sleep and learn the importance of world peace.
“When your baby is holding a baby of their own, that’s when they know how much you love them,” she said.
Photos flashed overhead of the students and their mothers, depicting many of the children as babies.
The presentation was both somber and reflective, then light and cheery.
When children were asked what their mothers might want for Mother’s Day, their responses were often unexpected.
Ava Hoang, of Dallas, said if she could get anything for her mother for the day, she would buy her high heels.
Anaya Choudhry, of Mountain Top, said she would give her mother, Ambreen Choudhry, “a trip to the beach.”
Rowan Tworek, of Pittston, said, if she could, she would buy her mother, Jeszika Lee, “a stuffed octopus and a stuffed turtle.”
All were more than happy to give their mothers colorful flowers and a hug.
Many of the mothers were moved to tears.
“I cried throughout the whole thing,” said Ambreen Choudhry. “It was beautiful.”
Following the presentation, the children carefully poured tea for their mothers into ornate cups, adding honey or sugar.
Patti Olmstead, both a primary teacher and the mother of a student, said she thought the event was a wonderful way to move through the conclusion of a successful school year.
“This is a culmination of what the children have learned this year,” she said. “They’re feeling confident.”
Olmstead said the school emphasizes cooperation and peacefulness, helping children grow in competence.
The primary classroom, she said, includes both preschool and kindergarten.
“The kindergarten students were glad to be able to do something just for them,” she said. “And our preschoolers are looking forward to doing it next year.”
Godfrey said the event has been a tradition at the school for over 10 years.
As students sang, “I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You,” mothers were visibly moved.
As the event concluded and the students sat next to their mothers at ornately decorated tables enjoying cookies and refreshments, many seemed to enjoy the opportunity for some “alone time” with their mothers with hugs, smiles and whispers.
“It was a great time of enjoying a special day reserved for honoring moms,” said Godfrey.