Pingtan youngsters celebrate the first graduation in lifetime

Not many graduates arrive for their commencement dressed in a Spongebob Squarepants costume. But this ceremony in Pingtan, Fujian province on June 23 was no ordinary graduation.

The pint-sized students arriving for the ceremony in their homemade costumes were not finishing college, but Pingtan Experimental Kindergarten.

Watched by an audience of 400 family members and teachers, the young graduates put on a series of performances to celebrate completing the first stage of their academic careers, including shows integrating local folk arts like Pingtan tengpai dancing.

Tengpai is a kind of cane shield, which became a popular alternative to armor during the late Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) campaigns against pirates in southern China. Over the century, the shield evolved into a prop local people use in traditional dances.

"I got to know tengpai after attending the kindergarten, and I had a lot of fun learning the tengpai dance," said Xiao Yufeng, a graduate from the school.

Xiao is from Pingtung, Taiwan, and he hoped the kids from his hometown will be able to get know the dance as well.

The students also held a fashion show featuring garments they had made themselves from recycled waste including plastic bags, poker cards and cartons.

"I feel extremely happy to take to the stage with my classmates before the graduation, and that is going to be my most treasured memory," said Huang Yunduo, the proud wearer of a yellow Spongebob costume.

Yu Yangyang, a teacher from the kindergarten, offered her best wishes to all the graduates.

"I have watched them slowly grow up in the past three years, and it's really hard to say goodbye. I wish them a happy graduation," she said.

Youngsters from Pingtan Experimental Kindergarten celebrate their commencement with a joyous celebration of singing, dancing and fashion shows on June 23. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Young graduates wearing handmade clothes made from recycled waste pose for a group photo like super models on the mini-catwalk during their graduation ceremony in Pingtan, Fujian province on June 23. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]