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Culture comes to Hollywood preschoolers

by Stephanie Rodriguez -
Paul Buster sings songs and plays his guitar with the the 3-year-old class during Hollywood Pre-school’s Culture Day.
Paul Buster sings songs and plays his guitar with the the 3-year-old class during Hollywood Preschool’s Culture Day. (Stephanie Rodriguez photo)

HOLLYWOOD — A moment’s insight is sometimes worth a life’s experience, especially when the experience mirrors your Native roots.

The Seminole Hollywood Reservation’s Preschool was one step ahead of the game by introducing and teaching Seminole customs to children ages three-months-old to 5-years-old for the school’s annual culture day.

“We want the kids to know where they come from early on and what their traditions are about,” said Jennine Rodriguez, center manager. “We enjoy watching their reactions and having the parents help us on this important day.”

The kids learned how to make traditional sofkee, how to bead, and they all got to sing songs with Paul Buster in groups before engaging in a lunch of Indian tacos before taking their naps.
Almost all of the children were dressed in traditional clothing and some of them even received prince and princess crown awards.

“It was a fun day that I think all the kids and especially, parents enjoyed,” said Brittany Macias, parent and volunteer.

Crowned Winners
Infants Class: Ja’sean Harding–Osceola (Prince) & Naomi Frank (Princess)
1-Year-Old Class: Nico Marziliano–Osceola (Prince) & Candy Osceola (Princess)
2 -Year-Old Class: Jalen Osceola (Prince) & Alexandria Beasley (Princess)
3-Year-Old Class: Destin Stewart (Prince) & Ahrianna Jumper – Robinson (Princess)
4-Year-Old Class: LaKota Correa (Prince) & Alizayah Alvarado (Princess)

Jayleen Frank learns how to mash corn kernels using authentic tools to potentially make traditional Sofkee as part of a Culture Day learning activity Sept. 16 at Hollywood Preschool.
Jayleen Frank learns how to mash corn kernels using authentic tools to potentially make traditional Sofkee as part of a Culture Day learning activity Sept. 16 at Hollywood Preschool.
Kenna Osceola, Aliviahna Aquino, Alizayah Alvarado, McKenna Macias, Elaina Williams and Jaisley Stewart watch Chaos Micco as she holds a basket and gets taught to shake kernels by Brittany Macias, McKenna’s mom, as one of the steps to make Sofkee.
Kenna Osceola, Aliviahna Aquino, Alizayah Alvarado, McKenna Macias, Elaina Williams and Jaisley Stewart watch Chaos Micco as she holds a basket and gets taught to shake kernels by Brittany Macias, McKenna’s mom, as one of the steps to make Sofkee.
Delilah Hall smiles as she mashes corn during the Hollywood Pre-School’s Culture Day on Sept. 16.
Delilah Hall smiles as she mashes corn during the Hollywood Pre-School’s Culture Day on Sept. 16.
Jaisley Stewart learns about beading at the Hollywood Preschool’s Culture Day on Sept. 16.
Jaisley Stewart learns about beading at the Hollywood Preschool’s Culture Day on Sept. 16.
Stephanie Rodriguez
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