“I believe in the Head Start Program, and I believe in the staff of the Head Start Program.” – Second Chief Del Beaver
OKMULGEE, Okla. – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Head Start Program held a graduation ceremony for students at the Oklahoma State University Information Technology Center Student Union on May 19.
According to Family Service Worker Marcus Jeffrey, 19 of the 56 participants at the Okmulgee location received a certificate of completion. The other participants are eligible to return to the head start program this fall.
Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other family members gathered to celebrate one of the first educational stepping stones in a child’s life.
The group pledged to the flag and counted from one to ten in the Mvskoke language to display some of the things they learned during the school year.
MCN Second Chief Del Beaver spoke to the young graduates and commended them for their great accomplishment thus far.
“Today is all about you,” Beaver said. “We know without a doubt they have started their remarkable journey.”
“They have learned so much, they have remained eager and enthusiastic, they have energy, lots of energy, they have grown in so many ways,” Beaver said. “From the executive office our thanks and appreciation go out to all the teachers and parents for the fantastic role you have had in facilitating this process.”
The ceremony included the Okmulgee location participants.
MCN National Council McIntosh District Representatives Galen Cloud and Darrell Proctor were in attendance.
Jeffrey said other locations may hold their own end-of-the year celebrations in addition to the Okmulgee location’s ceremony.
The day prior to the ceremony, the Okmulgee head start program held a “Family Fun Day’ for all families of the 56 participants at the Claude Cox Omniplex that included games, food and summer fun for the families.
Beaver said, “I believe in the Head Start Program, and I believe in the staff of the Head Start Program.”
The Head Start Program is now taking applications for the fall. There are six locations across the reservation to serve children from the ages 3-5 with the tribal membership.
