Mock wedding held at school for inseparable alphabet letters
By BRANDY PETTY
Special to Leader-Press
While couples across Texas are preparing for their upcoming June weddings, four-year-old students at Mae Stevens Early Learning Academy were preparing for a very special wedding: the marriage of the letters Q and U.
Teacher Love-Ann Feather has been known for her quirky lessons. But as news spread that this event was taking place, the wedding party got a whole lot bigger. Dozens of students watched excitedly as children from Feather's class ascended down the steps and in through the doors of the science lab dressed in their finest clothes. The boys sported fancy bow ties and boutonnieres, while the girls donned mini veils and carried bouquets all made by their teachers.
The lesson served as a unique teaching tool for Feather's new readers to understand that the letter Q is always followed by the letter U. Morning classes enjoyed nuptials lead by Joann Griffin, while the afternoon classes watched Mary Derrick, the school's principal, join the two in matrimony. Holding a Webster's Dictionary, Derrick officiated the ceremony,
"And now, by the power vested in me, by the school district of Copperas Cove, Texas, I now pronounce you letter and letter,” Derrick said. “What phonics has joined together let no spelling mistake ever separate."
Teachers and students cheered as members of the wedding party made their way to the reception being held in the preschool's cooking lab. Four year old Elizabeth "Gracie" Hartzell was already planning the new couple’s family.
"The Q and the U are going to have babies and make little queens," she said, smiling broadly.
As the newly married couple entered the room, students blew bubbles in the air. The students enjoyed an after-wedding dance. Pre-K students Audra Feist twirled around in her cream-laced dress and mini heels.
"I can't wait to dance," she said excitedly, echoing the students’ excitement for the big celebration.
A neighboring bilingual class even brought the pair a wedding gift of queso and two quarters to share. MSELA paraprofessional MaryKay Richmond was overjoyed with how the lesson turned out.
"I am truly honored to work with teachers who go above and beyond with such innovative learning techniques that inspire and ignite the love of learning," Richmond said. “This was truly a lesson the kids will never forget.”