Mini Mustangs graduation a big moment for Lakewood Ranch High seniors

Lakewood Ranch High School seniors Britlee Yant and Grace Kelly watched as the pre-K students they’ve come to know received their diplomas. 

Yant and Kelly spent their senior year in the early childhood education program at Lakewood Ranch High in which they taught the pre-K students in the school’s Mini Mustangs program. 

Yant, Kelly and at least 10 other seniors spent their days putting together lesson plans and being an integral part of the educational foundation of 17 Mini Mustangs. 

Kelly said spending her senior year getting to know the pre-K students has made their graduation May 17 a special moment for her. 

“It’s a cool experience because we’ve done this while still in high school, so while we were learning and developing new skills, we were also shaping young kids and teaching them the basics of what their education is going to be built on after this,” Kelly said.

The Mini Mustangs graduated May 17 at the high school, and the Lakewood Ranch High seniors received their diplomas the same day at LECOM Park. 

“It’s emotional because we have done all of these years of school, and watching the little ones graduate on the (same) day brings you back and shows you how long we’ve actually been in school,” Kelly said. 

Yant said working with the students in Mini Mustangs has inspired her to study child psychology. 

“(Mini Mustangs) has definitely shaped my career path,” she said. “The first time I got up to teach, I saw the way they looked at me. I knew that what I was teaching them was making an impact on their life. I know I want to continue to work with children.”

The seniors have loved seeing the progress the pre-K students have made throughout the year. Kelly said she’s seen the students start out by not being able to write their name to writing full sentences by the end of the year. 

Cass Schutte, the Mini Mustangs teacher, said she’s proud of both her pre-K students and the seniors for all their accomplishments. She hopes all the students believe in themselves and embrace their individuality because it’s what makes them special.