By Leigh C. Merrifield
On Saturday, May 16th, at 11 a.m., the stage at Lincoln High School’s auditorium was decorated with balloons and butterflies to celebrate the graduation of 16 four-year olds from Sunny Days Preschool. Family members were treated to a Power Point presentation exhibiting pictures of each of the graduates from preschool entry to the present time.
Speaking of butterflies, the children in fact recently got to watch in their classroom as butterflies transformed from an egg to a caterpillar and then shed their cocoons, spread their wings, and learned to fly. Owner and school director Mrs. Karnis made the comparison that children, just like butterflies, start out small and fragile, but grow and also learn to fly, in a manner of speaking! And just as all butterflies are exquisite, they are also different types, shapes, and colors; and so too are children very unique individuals with distinctive personalities; yet each is a beautiful masterpiece! But recognizing the students’ many differences and meeting each of their needs requires a special passion and commitment to guide and support them during their initial introduction to a school environment.
Mrs. Karnis was anxious to jump right into her profession following her graduation from Fairmont State College in May of 1982. Within just four months of receiving her degree in Child Care and Development, she approached the board of the First Baptist Church in Shinnston with hopeful plans to locate her school in their facility; and with their approval, the doors to Sunny Days opened in September of that same year. Now, 44 years later, she is still in that same secure environment and has been a driving force in helping well over 1,300 youngsters flourish during their formative years – and with the same enthusiasm she had on her opening day in 1982!
Don’t think for a moment that her job is easy; however, with 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, she is accustomed to and tolerant of a little noise and chaos, and she has learned that keeping youngsters engaged typically involves a variety of activities!
Part of Sunny Days’ success is likely due in part to Mrs. Karnis’ endless creativity. She frequently reflects on her curriculum and alters her lesson plans, striving to improve and enrich them to enhance the students’ experience. Sunny Days’ program not only introduces basic concepts such as the alphabet, numbers, shapes, colors, etc., but also promotes kind and respectful interaction with peers, patience, sharing, following instructions, and behavior guidelines. While discipline and manners are not ignored, the program also incorporates art projects, music, physical activity, story-telling, play-time, field trips and holiday parties. And this year, Mrs. Karnis has noticed children taking a real interest in some STEM experiments they have done as well!
Mrs. Karnis commented, “From the very beginning, I have been so blessed. The Baptist church has been very generous and supportive to us. I have also had skilled, reliable teacher’s assistants; Lexie Barnes has been with my school for at least 20 years, and Autumn Sendling joined me 15 years ago. We all work well as a team and we have established a steady routine. Also, the parents of my students have been very accommodating partners. The first of the school year can sometimes be challenging because children in a school setting for the first time often suffer from separation anxiety.” “But, she added, “working together with parental backing, we seem to always handle it quite well within a few weeks.”
Sunny Days Preschool has earned an excellent reputation through the years, and the Shinnston community is fortunate to have this school in its midst. It is a wonderful testimony to the school’s status that enrollees are not just local children, but some have traveled from Marion, Doddridge, Lewis, Barbour, and Monongalia Counties.
Mrs. Karnis concluded, “These 44 years have been a rewarding journey that is not yet ending. I still love doing what I do! It has been and still is a labor of love for me.”
Sunny Days graduates are pictured above (l-rt) in their caps and gowns. (front row) Paisley Sigley, Blakely Goulette, Collins Radcliff, Bristol Sayers, Vivian Harvey, and Lakelynn Bruce. (2nd row) Reese Woods, Kade Garrison, Barrett Corley, Ethan McNemar, and Addy Martin. (3rd row) Oaklyn Anton-Lambert, Henry Maxwell, Harlan Rodeheaver, Dior Smith, and Owen Jefferies.