ALAMOSA - On June 21, children enrolled in the HIPPY Program and continuing their education, as well as children who are enrolled and graduating from the program, attended a special ceremony at the Alamosa Family Recreation Center. 

HIPPY stands for Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters and is a free 30-week program. Home visitors of the HIPPY Program come into the home either virtually or in person and bring a weekly curriculum for children to engage in with their parents. 

The center was decorated and had tables and chairs set up; many parents and caregivers were seated and excitedly waiting to see the tiny graduates. The children were also excited and getting ready to march to the front where they would be announced as continuing or graduated and receive a certificate. 

The boys and girls were dressed in blue and pink colors, with kid-sized graduation caps and gowns. Parents and caregivers held hands as they lined up to march to the front.  

HIPPY Program coordinator Beverly Martinez spoke at the beginning of the ceremony and thanked everyone for attending as the kids entered. “Pomp and Circumstance” played in the background as children marched to the front.  

The program specializes in fine motor, gross motor, social-emotional, science, creative arts, and literacy development. 

The curriculum helps children learn their colors, shapes, letters, numbers, days of the week, and provides hands-on activities that help with other developmental facets. Because reading is a core part of the curriculum, each enrolled child receives a new book to keep, every three to four weeks in the program. HIPPY also provides school supplies for children. 

The program is available to children from all over the San Luis Valley.  

After Martinez’s introduction the children came together with the help of two special guests known as Ms. Duck and Mr. Frog who sang “Five Little Ducks” with the children as well as “Five Little Speckled Frogs.” The children danced with Ms. Duck and Mr. Frog as they sang, and everyone cheered.  

Different home visitors of the HIPPY Program were then called up to offer their students either continuation certificates or graduation certificates. Audience members clapped and cheered during the presentation of certificates.  

Saguache County Commissioner Lynne Thompson was also at the ceremony and gave a short speech to the children, “Thank you very much for inviting me. This has been amazing. I am so proud of all of you kids. Good job, everyone. This is a wonderful program. I am going to go back as a county commissioner and to my town meetings and say that we need to continue supporting this.”  

Martinez also announced Fabiola Avalos Arroyo who was chosen as Home Visitor of the Year. She was given flowers and congratulated. 

Arroyo said she was so happy to receive the award, “I love it. I really love what I do.” 

Martinez said of Arroyo, “she is always happy, empathetic and truly outstanding.”  

At the conclusion of the ceremony the parents and staff along with everyone in attendance were invited to lunch, that included sandwiches, a drink and a piece of cake.  

Martinez stated that she felt everything went wonderfully. “We have outstanding children and home visitors. This ceremony was amazing,” she said. 

HIPPY Program Director Ruth Horn attended the ceremony and spoke about the program. 

“We have served 65 children and 64 families, with 16 graduates today. This is an international program. This is one of the strongest home visitor programs there is. The program is evidence based, and we have seen that it really helps prepare and help children with school readiness,” she said.  

For more information on the program, contact Horn at 719-589-4977 or Martinez at 719-298-1572.