San Pancho Graduations
By Elvia & Geno Lamphiear
This time of the year, San Pancho enjoys and works hard on their children’s graduations.
There are only three schools in town; Kindergarden (three years), Elementary (six years) and Secondary School (three years).
There are weeks of planning and practicing the different dances, comedies and music for the big day. Each Graduation Day, no matter if it is for the Kindergarden or Secondary School, is a big event and everyone is dresses up to kill! The location where the graduation takes place is decorated in such a colorful way to leave you breathless - it is almost as if you are at an awards ceremony in Hollywood! Days of activity and joy along with proud parents fill the town with a festive spirit.
 Everyone gives in to the celebration. The Kindergarden Graduation is my favorite. There is something about that age. The girls are like little princess and the boys are like princes and all the performers in the different shows are so much fun to watch.
The graduation ceremonies last for about three hours. There are the speeches (of course…), the performances by the children singing, dancing, doing skits, the diploma awards - and the saying of goodbyes.
The Kindergarden does not have a big graduation party after the traditional three well organized hours - but the Elementary School as well as secondary school sure do for family & friends! It is usually held at the plaza and consists of dinner and music and could last from 8 pm to 2 am. It all depends on the mood of the people how long it goes on.
What I like about the graduations in San Pancho is that all day long you see a parade of dress up people all over the town coming and going and everybody knows everybody and everybody’s kids. It is so special to still have that kind of ambience here.
 This year, 20 Elementary School girls have been taking gymnastic classes with Luz Maria de Islas (a very nice lady in our community and also one of the school teachers). At graduation time they treated us all to four gymnastic/dance numbers that were so unique and added so much to the Graduation Ceremony! I am very glad that these smart and beautiful girls have the chance to experience this. Thank you Luz!
Things are slowly changing in San Pancho as far as education goes. Our parents fifty years ago could only study in town up to the sixth grade Elementary Level. Now we have three schools and the options to go to the schools that are near by such as the High School and College at La Cruz de Huanacaxtle. The High School used to be here in San Pancho but was moved to a better location for all the students.
 Every country has their own ways to show their patriotism. One of the ways in Mexico is through the Escoltas. It is a group of six or seven children. One of the children carries the flag and the rest of the children are guards. These are the students with the best grades. Every Monday at school they honor the flag with a short ceremony that contains a speech to remind everyone that we are Mexicans. Months of marching practice takes places before they march in public. They are trained sometimes by someone who was in the military. In special events the Escoltas march in front of the crowds carrying the flag and at graduation the graduating six graders pass it on to the fifth graders who are becoming the new Escoltas - and on and on.
We truly enjoyed all the graduation ceremonies the last few days here in beautiful San Pancho.
Until next time!
Elvia & Geno Lamphier -
genolamphiear@hotmail.com
* This information is provided by María Elvia Garcia Palomera & Geno Lamphier, owners of Calandria Realty in San Francisco (San Pancho), Nayarit, Mexico
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