Class of 2014 Marches On!

Right Place students graduate, ready for kindergarten.

HARTFORD – The Salvation Army’s Early Child Care Program, The Right Place, just completed another successful year in Harford. Sixty-three new "scholars" completed the program and received their "diplomas" at a ceremony held at The Salvation Army’s Washington Street location.

The graduation ceremony was officially underway when Taylor Pratt, Family Services Coordinator and Site Supervisor for The Right Place, welcomed parents, guardians, and guests. She called the “graduates” to order and introduced the first speaker. Major Brian Glasco, Area Coordinator for The Salvation Army in Greater Hartford, was up! The Major told everyone how blessed he was to see these wonderful children grow and prosper throughout the year. From their start in September through their graduation in August, the learning curve of the children, both intellectually and personally, is a sight to behold.

Jennifer Pettit, Community Investment Manager for the United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut, was the second speaker. She said that it was tough to follow Major Brian, but “someone had to do it.” She congratulated the students and their guests, then wonderfully explained how early childhood education is a priority for the United Way as she worked the crowd to an exciting level.

Every student went on to receive a diploma, a mortarboard, and a backpack loaded with school supplies, courtesy of Edwards Wildman and Hinckley, Allen & Snyder, LLP. Both Hartford Law firms have generously been supplying the backpacks for all of our graduates for several years.

Heather LaCasse, Director of Childcare Programs for The Salvation Army’s Greater Hartford Area Services, commented, "This is our favorite time of the year. It is a celebration of the success that is a culmination of school, family, and community partnerships. All of the hard work and dedication is revealed with each graduate’s smile as his/her name is called to receive their first of many diplomas."