The greatness that was kindergarten

It’s important for parents to instill the significance of education to children at a young age. I still remember my very first day of school like it was yesterday. It was a cold morning in Sept. 1993 when my mother took me to Highland Elementary School in Richmond, Calif. for kindergarten.

The combination of my excitement and my mother’s nervousness lead us to arrive much earlier than anticipated. So we waited in the designated orientation area, the cafeteria, and I ate my favorite breakfast food at the time of my 5-year-old life: pancakes.

Slowly, more children and their families began gathering. My mother befriended another parent while we were waiting and as I stared at the boy from across the table, little did I know at the time that they were arranging carpool schedules. Bored and anxious, I patiently sat at the table. Because I did not attend preschool, I did not immediately play with the other kids who seemed to already know each other. But I did not care.

I wondered what was taking so long but my mother informed me they were assembling the two classes. I wanted my teacher, Ms. Santoro, a nice Japanese lady, to hurry up and take us to the promise land that was, and still is, the classroom. Finally, parents and children were lead over to room 2. The thrill I felt at the moment I found the paper tag labeled “Holly” sitting atop my assigned desk was an exhilarating feeling.

Smiling from ear to ear, I waved and waved and waved to my mother, as if to say, “Look at me! I’m at school, I’m a big girl now!” It was a great moment. Around me, I saw children crying rivers of tears. They were clinging to their parents’ legs, begging them not to leave. I, on the other hand, was more than ready to see my mother walk out of that room. I was eager to start that new chapter in my life.

I don’t remember what happened the rest of that day. But I do remember being ahead of my class that year when it came to reading and writing. Even though I did not attend preschool, my mother took it upon herself to make sure I was at an adequate comprehension level to enter kindergarten. Because of the countless trips we had taken to the Richmond Public Library, borrowing tons of books at a time, I was fully equipped to apply what I had already learned at home.

I will never forget the proud look on her face when I first insisted, “I want to read the book out loud,” instead of having her read it to me.

I always knew I would end up going to college. Growing up, doing well in school wasn’t an option. It was an obligation. As weird as it sounds, the concept has helped me. Even though I have never verbally acknowledged it, I do believe that my mother’s encouragement, even though it was annoying sometimes, is the reason why I chose to continue my education. For that, I am forever grateful. I just hope that if I ever have children, I can do the same for them.