Fellowship Preschool’s Parking Lot Graduation

Preschool graduate Tripp Kee's grandfather holds a face mask for the 5-year-old at Fellowship Preschool's parking lot graduation.
Preschool graduate Tripp Kee's grandfather holds a face mask for the 5-year-old at Fellowship Preschool's parking lot graduation.
Ayla Poulsen plays with her hair during graduation ceremonies at Fellowship Preschool.
Ayla Poulsen plays with her hair during graduation ceremonies at Fellowship Preschool.
Lauren Poulsen stands with her children to record her daughter Ayla at Fellowship Preschool's parking lot graduation.
Lauren Poulsen stands with her children to record her daughter Ayla at Fellowship Preschool's parking lot graduation.
Frightened by all the pomp and circumstance, 4-year-old Blake Reese hides behind her stuffed animal at Fellowship Preschool's parking lot graduation.
Frightened by all the pomp and circumstance, 4-year-old Blake Reese hides behind her stuffed animal at Fellowship Preschool's parking lot graduation.
Five-year-old Tripp Kee runs to his graduation chair after his name is called out during Fellowship Preschool's parking lot graduation.
Five-year-old Tripp Kee runs to his graduation chair after his name is called out during Fellowship Preschool's parking lot graduation.
Teacher Jennifer Overman reads a paragraph about special Evie Livendalen is during Fellowship Preschool's parking lot graduation.
Teacher Jennifer Overman reads a paragraph about special Evie Livendalen is during Fellowship Preschool's parking lot graduation.
Lauren Poulsen, whose three children have have attended Fellowship Preschool, sets up a graduation display at the parking lot graduation ceremony.
Lauren Poulsen, whose three children have have attended Fellowship Preschool, sets up a graduation display at the parking lot graduation ceremony.
Preschool graduate Petra Fragedakis, center, laughs with her mom, Tami, and brother, Isaac, while arriving at Fellowship Preschool's parking lot graduation.
Preschool graduate Petra Fragedakis, center, laughs with her mom, Tami, and brother, Isaac, while arriving at Fellowship Preschool's parking lot graduation.
Families don face masks and socially distance during the opening ceremonies at Fellowship Preschool's parking lot graduation.
Families don face masks and socially distance during the opening ceremonies at Fellowship Preschool's parking lot graduation.
Preschool Director Becki Rossi and Curriculum Director Susan Harrell don face masks while directing traffic at Fellowship Preschool's Parking Lot Graduation.
Preschool Director Becki Rossi and Curriculum Director Susan Harrell don face masks while directing traffic at Fellowship Preschool's Parking Lot Graduation.
Evie Livendalen smiles for photo while arriving at Fellowship Preschool's Parking Lot Graduation.
Evie Livendalen smiles for photo while arriving at Fellowship Preschool's Parking Lot Graduation.
Roman Unelus, 5, waves from a sunroof at Fellowship Preschool's parking lot graduation.
Roman Unelus, 5, waves from a sunroof at Fellowship Preschool's parking lot graduation.
Sullivan and London Livingood, ages 5 and 3, hold signs while parading into Fellowship Preschool's parking lot graduation.
Sullivan and London Livingood, ages 5 and 3, hold signs while parading into Fellowship Preschool's parking lot graduation.
Teacher Jennifer Overman waves to children as parents drive them into the parking lot graduation ceremony at Fellowship Preschool in Cary.
Teacher Jennifer Overman waves to children as parents drive them into the parking lot graduation ceremony at Fellowship Preschool in Cary.
The parade-style preschool graduation at the Fellowship Preschool encouraged parents to decorate cars.
The parade-style preschool graduation at the Fellowship Preschool encouraged parents to decorate cars.
Four-year-old Sullivan Livingood pops his head out of the sunroof while arriving at the Fellowship Preschool's Parking Lot Graduation.
Four-year-old Sullivan Livingood pops his head out of the sunroof while arriving at the Fellowship Preschool's Parking Lot Graduation.
Curriculum Director Susan Harrell directs traffic at the start of Fellowship Preschool's Parking Lot Graduation.
Curriculum Director Susan Harrell directs traffic at the start of Fellowship Preschool's Parking Lot Graduation.
Bottles of hand sanitizer were readily available during Fellowship Preschool's Parking Lot Graduation.
Bottles of hand sanitizer were readily available during Fellowship Preschool's Parking Lot Graduation.
Preschool Director Becki Rossi greets preschoolers and their families at Fellowship Preschool's Parking Lot Graduation.
Preschool Director Becki Rossi greets preschoolers and their families at Fellowship Preschool's Parking Lot Graduation.
Families practiced social distancing during Fellowship Preschool's Parking Lot Graduation.
Families practiced social distancing during Fellowship Preschool's Parking Lot Graduation.
Teacher Jennifer Overman addresses preschoolers and their families during Fellowship Preschool's Parking Lot Graduation Ceremony. The socially distanced celebration recognized each child with Overman reading a short paragraph about each child.
Teacher Jennifer Overman addresses preschoolers and their families during Fellowship Preschool's Parking Lot Graduation Ceremony. The socially distanced celebration recognized each child with Overman reading a short paragraph about each child.
Graduating preschooler Ayla Poulsen colors a heart in her family's socially-distanced circle during Fellowship Preschool's Parking Lot Graduation.
Graduating preschooler Ayla Poulsen colors a heart in her family's socially-distanced circle during Fellowship Preschool's Parking Lot Graduation.
Five-year-old Sullivan Livingood, left, and sister London, age 3, peek down on their parents from their sunroof seats during Fellowship Preschool's Parking Lot Graduation Ceremony.
Five-year-old Sullivan Livingood, left, and sister London, age 3, peek down on their parents from their sunroof seats during Fellowship Preschool's Parking Lot Graduation Ceremony.
Age-appropriate graduation gifts were given to 4-year-old graduates at Fellowship Preschool Parking Lot Graduation Tuesday in Cary.
Age-appropriate graduation gifts were given to 4-year-old graduates at Fellowship Preschool Parking Lot Graduation Tuesday in Cary.
Ayla Poulsen removes her face mask just long enough to have a graduation photo taken at Fellowship Preschool's parking lot graduation ceremony.
Ayla Poulsen removes her face mask just long enough to have a graduation photo taken at Fellowship Preschool's parking lot graduation ceremony.
Petra Fragedakis poses for a graduation photo.
Petra Fragedakis poses for a graduation photo.
Isaac Fragedakis follows his mom, Tami, carrying his event chair at Fellowship Preschool's parking lot graduation.
Isaac Fragedakis follows his mom, Tami, carrying his event chair at Fellowship Preschool's parking lot graduation.
Blake Reese, 4, smiles for a graduation photo at Fellowship Preschool's parking lot graduation.
Blake Reese, 4, smiles for a graduation photo at Fellowship Preschool's parking lot graduation.

Fellowship Preschool celebrated some of Cary’s youngest graduates Tuesday, May 26, with a parking lot celebration that brought together rising kindergartners and their families for a socially distanced, individual certificate presentation.

When the school closed its doors March 13 due to the pandemic, no one anticipated that it would be the last time the preschool children and their families would be there for the school year.

“Many of the children in our 4-year old class progressed through the preschool program, so we’ve known them for a couple of years. A few of them we have known since birth,” said Becki Rossi, director of the Cary preschool. “How could we bring closure to the abrupt and unexpected end to the preschool year for these children who are so special?”

So before the children transition to kindergarten next year, the school decided to throw a party.