NEWS/PRESS
NEWS/PRESS

Grandparents are celebrated by Soboba Tribal Preschool

◆ By Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians

Prior to Grandparents Day being acknowledged across the nation on Sept. 8, teachers and staff at Soboba Tribal Preschool welcomed families to the Soboba Sports Complex on Friday, Sept. 6 to celebrate. The gymnasium was filled with lots of yellow and orange balloons and signs declaring “You Are My Sunshine” to the invited guests.

Preschool Administrator Lenora “Ponie” Mojado said the event was an opportunity to thank everyone for their participation in activities at the preschool.

The children had made crafts for their loved ones including coloring flowers that were laminated with the following verse on the reverse side: “Grandparents, grandparents make us laugh, love to play, when we get together, we smile all day.” A photograph tag was attached to a chain to be worn as a bracelet or necklace and other handmade trinkets were gifted to each grandparent, great grandparent and even a few great-great grandparents who were there.

Marian Chacon has five grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. She has two great-grandsons attending the preschool this year; kindergartner Anthony Ortega, 4, and Brian Chacon III, who is in pre-K. Chacon was asked to give an opening prayer at the start of the event in which she thanked the Lord for a beautiful day where everyone could come together and be respectful and kind to one another. She asked for a blessing on all who were present as well as the food they were about to eat.

Guests were treated to a buffet brunch that included eggs, hash, chicken, potatoes, rolls, fresh fruit and a dessert table full of sweets.

Dondi Silvas has two grandsons plus a granddaughter, Loovi Burton, who is in kindergarten. She was at the event with her mother Yvonne Silvas, grandson Jovi, and Loovi’s other grandmother, Stacy Perkins. Isaiah and Maria Vivanco have a total of nine grandchildren and three of them, Jericho Vivanco, Kuyvaxish Mendez and Kwiinamush Maxcy, currently attend the preschool.

“It’s nice to see everybody here and to see the kids so happy; it’s good that the preschool brings everybody together to have a nice day,” said Johnna Valdez, who has three grandchildren who are students there. “I also like that they’re with their cousins while at school.”

Kindergartner Palki Herrera has attended the school since she was two years old. She was at the event with her grandmothers, Adonna Salgado and Monica Herrera.

“I went to the reservation preschool when I was young,” said Herrera, whose grandson Gabriel graduated from the kindergarten class in June. “The kids have good relationships with the teachers, and they always do a lot of fun stuff alongside the set curriculum.”

Salgado’s daughter Alylah, now 10, attended the Soboba Tribal Preschool and she felt it really prepared her well for public school. “It gave her a good foot forward,” she said.

Both women agreed that all their kids always make really cute things to take home, with this day’s crafty gifts being no exception. “I have all their projects hanging in the hallway of their play area,” Salgado said.

Photos courtesy of the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians

Nokaamay Garcia, 4, with (from left) great-great grandmother Alice Helms, grandmother Dwan Helms, great grandmother Diane Helms and great grandfather Bennie Helms at the Soboba Tribal Preschool Grandparents Day celebration, Sept. 6

Nokaamay Garcia, 4, with (from left) great-great grandmother Alice Helms, grandmother Dwan Helms, great grandmother Diane Helms and great grandfather Bennie Helms at the Soboba Tribal Preschool Grandparents Day celebration, Sept. 6

Marian Chacon with one of her great grandsons, Anthony Ortega, a kindergarten student at Soboba Tribal Preschool

Marian Chacon with one of her great grandsons, Anthony Ortega, a kindergarten student at Soboba Tribal Preschool

Adonna Salgado, left, and Monica Herrera with their shared granddaughter, Palki Herrera, at the Grandparents Day celebration

Adonna Salgado, left, and Monica Herrera with their shared granddaughter, Palki Herrera, at the Grandparents Day celebration

Maria Vivanco with three of her grandchildren who are students at the Soboba Tribal Preschool. From left, Jericho Vivanco III, Kuyaxish Mendez and Kwiinamush Maxcy

Maria Vivanco with three of her grandchildren who are students at the Soboba Tribal Preschool. From left, Jericho Vivanco III, Kuyaxish Mendez and Kwiinamush Maxcy

Grandparents Tara and Patrick Placencia with baby Layla Placencia and kindergartner Leilani Grant

Grandparents Tara and Patrick Placencia with baby Layla Placencia and kindergartner Leilani Grant

Johnna Valdez with grandchildren Willow, Nusuun and Tavish Valdez at the Soboba Tribal Preschool Grandparents Day celebration at the Soboba Sports Complex, Sept. 6

Johnna Valdez with grandchildren Willow, Nusuun and Tavish Valdez at the Soboba Tribal Preschool Grandparents Day celebration at the Soboba Sports Complex, Sept. 6

Kindergartner Loovi Burton with her grandma Dondi Silvas and baby brother Jovi, great grandma Yvonne Silvas and grandma Stacy Perkins

Kindergartner Loovi Burton with her grandma Dondi Silvas and baby brother Jovi, great grandma Yvonne Silvas and grandma Stacy Perkins

You Are My Sunshine was the theme of the Grandparents Day celebration at the Soboba Sports Complex on Sept. 6

You Are My Sunshine was the theme of the Grandparents Day celebration at the Soboba Sports Complex on Sept. 6

Teachers and staff served a buffet style meal to guests at the Soboba Sports Complex

Teachers and staff served a buffet style meal to guests at the Soboba Sports Complex

Grandparents Desiree and Darren Hill with grandchildren and preschool students, Tavish, Nusuun and Willow Valdez

Grandparents Desiree and Darren Hill with grandchildren and preschool students, Tavish, Nusuun and Willow Valdez