For The Tribune

Family, friends and other loved ones recently gathered to watch 12 children graduate from God’s Lil Blessings preschool program during a ceremony at Hoosier Christian Village in Brownstown.

The 2017 graduates were Ava Blevins, Carly Wessel, Kalen McCord, Avery Robertson, Abram McCrary, Skyy DeBord, Karlynne Stradley, Jaylon Warren, Crayton Hanner, Emme May, Silas Reynolds and Laura Terrell.

“My favorite part of preschool is the field trips and coming to the village (Hoosier Christian Village),” said Abram, who is 5 and the son of Alicia and Kyle McCrary.

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Crayton, 5, said he thinks the Friday dance parties were really fun.

“I will miss my friends and Mrs. Amanda (Terrell, the program director),” said Crayton, who is the son of Brownstown Police Chief Tom Hanner and Dusti Hanner.

Terrell has been in charge of the preschool program in Brownstown for about five years and still loves it.

“They are so funny, and it brings me so much joy to be able to work with the kids,” the Brownstown Central High School graduate said. “You never know what they are going to say.”

Teia Lucas, activity director at Hoosier Christian Village, said there is a year-round relationship between residents of the nursing home and the preschoolers.

“They come on Halloween and trick-or-treat,” she said. “They come and give valentines on Valentine’s Day. The residents really enjoy seeing the kids and being able to take part in their special day.”

Lucas said preschoolers have activities they bring to Hoosier Christian Village about once a month, and that’s a program that has been in place for about five years.