Hawkins sends off their 4-year-old graduates in style

Published 4:57 pm Thursday, May 21, 2020

: Noah Hopkins dons his cap, gown and face mask before participating in Tuesday's 4-year-old playschool graduation ceremony at Hawkins United Methodist Church. (Terri Cowart Frazier/The Vicksburg Post)

The COVID-19 pandemic did not keep Hawkins United Methodist Church from holding their 4-year-old graduation ceremony. On Tuesday, a ceremony was held outside under an awning off the church’s family life center.

Nancy Biggers, who is the director of the playschool, said this is a special event that the school holds each year, marking a milestone in a child’s life, and she did not want the class of 2020 to miss out.

“We hope this is the first of many graduations the children will have,” Biggers said.

While most of the children were excited to receive their “graduation happies” there were a couple that just wasn’t sure they were ready to say good-bye.

Typically the graduation ceremony is held in the church sanctuary, Biggers said, and students play an active role in the program.

But due to the coronavirus and the social distancing restrictions, this would not have been possible. Therefore, Biggers came up with the idea to hold a memorable event outdoors.

Everyone participating wore masks and parents were allowed to walk with their children, while friends and family cheered on from their vehicles.

About Terri Cowart Frazier

Terri Frazier was born in Cleveland. Shortly afterward, the family moved to Vicksburg. She is a part-time reporter at The Vicksburg Post and is the editor of the Vicksburg Living Magazine, which has been awarded First Place by the Mississippi Press Association. She has also been the recipient of a First Place award in the MPA’s Better Newspaper Contest’s editorial division for the “Best Feature Story.”

Terri graduated from Warren Central High School and Mississippi State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations.

Prior to coming to work at The Post a little more than 10 years ago, she did some freelancing at the Jackson Free Press. But for most of her life, she enjoyed being a full-time stay at home mom.

Terri is a member of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church. She is a lifetime member of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary and is a past member of the Sampler Antique Club and Town and Country Garden Club. She is married to Dr. Walter Frazier.

“From staying informed with local governmental issues to hearing the stories of its people, a hometown newspaper is vital to a community. I have felt privileged to be part of a dedicated team at The Post throughout my tenure and hope that with theirs and with local support, I will be able to continue to grow and hone in on my skills as I help share the stories in Vicksburg. When asked what I like most about my job, my answer is always ‘the people.’

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