On
Thursday, October 8, the kindergarten classes at Canyon Crest Elementary School
had a special visit from their future high school principal. It was Principal Terry Abernathy's way of reminding the students that they
may be just kindergartners now, but they are future graduates of the Kaiser High
School Class of 2022.
"We're a vertical team," explained Mr. Abernathy. "I don't want Kaiser High
School to be a mystery to them. All Future Cats will know what it means to be a
successful Kaiser High student on their way to college! My goal is to
build Cat Pride and school spirit for all students in my feeder path. ALL
Kaiser students will be successful!"
Along with Mr. Abernathy were Assistant Principal Richard Valencia and ASB
Advisor Glennon Poirier, as well as Kaiser High School seniors Anthony Brown,
Andriuss Myles, Alyssia Palomino, Dante Chapman, Stephanie Curiel, Tyler
Holbrook, and the Kaiser Cat mascot. Mr. Abernathy
handpicked these students to accompany him when he visited the
kindergarteners because they are all college-bound upon graduation, many of them
with athletic or academic scholarships.
As he reminded the kindergarteners, "Right now you are
Canyon Crest Coyotes, then you will be Southridge Middle School Knights, and
then you will be Kaiser High School Cats - and what comes after that?"
"College!" they loudly responded. "That's right!" said Mr.
Abernathy, "Parents, start saving for college now!"
With the help of the Kaiser students, Mr. Abernathy and Mr. Valencia demonstrated the official Kaiser Cat hand sign for the little guys
and showed them how after they graduate and go to college, the Kaiser Cat
becomes a Mega Cat - Grrrrrrr!
Mr. Abernathy has visited the kindergarten classes at each of Kaiser's feeder
elementary schools: Canyon Crest, Chaparral, Oak Park, and Shadow Hills. Each kindergartner was given a "Future Kaiser Cat" T-shirt with
"Class of 2022" on the back which was purchased for them by Kaiser's
ASB. They will also be invited to attend
future Kaiser events, including a varsity football game.
