Photos: Sakonnet Early Learning Center Holds Graduation

The in a “Wizard of Oz” themed ceremony at early Wednesday evening. The Class of 2011, who will move on to kindergarten in the fall, put on a show, performing songs from the classic movie such as “Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead," “Follow the Yellow Brick Road," “If I Only Had a Brain/Heart/the Nerve” and, of course, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”

The performance was followed with children receiving their diplomas, and concluded with a dinner for students, parents and faculty. There was a “Wizard of Oz” themed cake.

Director Deborah Raposa, who was dressed as the Cowardly Lion, explained that the school always has a themed graduation.

“It’s been like this every year I’ve been here, and I’ve been here 28 years” she said. “It’s always a spectacle. The kids love it.”

Indeed they did. It couldn’t be clearer from the performance, as the kids shouted the lyrics with rousing enthusiasm, going through dance moves (some choreographed, some spontaneous) and using props pertinent to each individual song.

The graduating students were as follows: Richard Antkowiak, Maeve Banal, Jackson Baker, Lillian Brisson, Kendra Carlisle, Merritt Coward, Gabriela Croft, Ethan Goetz, Eli Harrington, Luke Lebeau, Rhianna Lebreux, Lauren Lewis, Lily Medeiros, Marley Mills, Patrick Murray, Julia Polofsky, Alden Priestner, Sydney Simmons, Jake Sylvia, Jaimee Viera, and Michael Zeller.