A Morning Ritual

Photos by Nick Gould

July 2017

Each morning students across the nation begin their day by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. We dropped by Wanda McKonly’s first grade class at Lititz Elementary School to hear their rendition of the pledge. Afterwards, we asked each student for his or her definition of happiness. For many of them, it’s the simple things in life that make them happy: family, friends and playtime. It struck us that there was no mention of computers, video games or super heroes.

First graders in the Warwick School District play a role in the Queen of the Candles pageant, with a girl serving as the flower girl and a boy as the crown bearer. Each elementary school in the district nominates two candidates and a committee then makes a final selection. This year’s flower girl will be Taylor Bonano from Kissel Hill Elementary. Riley Thomas from Lititz Elementary will be the crown bearer.

For Ben, happiness is family. Maya says it’s baseball. For Grace, it’s a trip to the beach.

For MooKu, happiness is doing math. McKinsey says it’s snuggling with her mom and dad. Jayson equates happiness to visiting his grandma.

Michel defines happiness as playing with his friends. Emma derives happiness from jumping on a trampoline. For Andrew, happiness is riding his bike and going to his friend’s house to play.

For Alex, happiness is baseball. For Molly, it’s playing with her sister, Grace. Jack is happiest when he’s playing with his friends.

Riley is happiest when he’s at his family’s mountain cabin (and he can’t wait until he’s old enough to go hunting). Allyson relates it to fairies and hearts. Silvia defines happiness as babies, hugs and kisses.

For Morgan, happiness is going to the Laserdome. Ashton equates happiness to visiting The Works in Wyomissing. And, Juliet is happiest when she travels to Knoebels Amusement Resort.