LITTLE BOSTON — Each student received a gift bag, a reading book, a certificate suitable for framing, and clear direction for their future.

They are only 5 years old, but the Head Start graduates were introduced by their teacher Kyle Carpenter as their future high schools’ Class of 2026.

The students embark on their future well-prepared. For two or three years, each participated in activities geared to help them grow emotionally, mentally, physically and socially. And they participated in culturally based activities. The children helped collect cockles that were baked traditionally and offered for lunch at the Head Start graduation ceremony June 7 in Little Boston. At the ceremony, they sang and drummed S’Klallam-language songs they learned. They wore red vests decorated by their families, drummed on drums made for them by their families, and wore woven cedar hats or cedar headbands and other articles of traditional clothing.

They’ll enter kindergarten with a healthy sense of identity. That’s what Patricia Selam said she appreciates about her son Jarom’s involvement in Head Start: “Being involved in the culture, the language, the songs. It’s family oriented,” she said.

Twenty students graduated or advanced a level in Port Gamble S’Klallam Head Start June 7. This class had the distinction of being the first to attend class in the new Early Childhood Education Center, which opened in March. A roof garden features native plants, a reflection of the Tribe’s commitment to environmental stewardship. A rain garden and a semi-enclosed mini-ecosystem centered by a large cedar stump supplemented the children’s early environmental education.

Chad Sullivan, who has taught at Head Start since 1993, said many of the students are the second generation of students for him; he taught many of the students’ parents. “They become part of my family,” he said. “Actually, some of them are my family,” he added as another Sullivan was called forward to receive a graduation certificate.

Later that day, in The Point Events Center, a banquet was held to honor 13 students for earning associate degrees this year and 17 students for earning  high school diplomas. The crowd was welcomed by Port Gamble S’Klallam Chairman Jeromy Sullivan. Sonya Redbird, Class of 2013 high school graduate  was the speaker. The S’Klallam Singers offered a dinner song and an honor song.

Earning their associate degrees: Ashley Brown, Devlin Combes, Derryck DeCoteau, Talia DeCoteau, Mickey Fulton, Charin Godbolt, Judith Hunt, Rob Knight Jr., Jake Sullivan, Madison Sullivan, Joseph Tom, Leanne Tom, and Ramona Tom.

Earning their high school diplomas: Cheryl Archambault, Andrea Ashworth, Austin Ashworth, Melia Beckwith, Taylor Buckman, Christopher Charles, Cianna Fulton, Dean Fulton, Lateesha Fulton, Nikole Hendricks, Jalen Ives, Charles Jacobs Jr., Ida Jones, Corey Magdaleno, Sonya Redbird, Tanner Sullivan, and Kyle Theodore-White.

The Suquamish Tribe Education Department hosts its 2013 Graduation Honoring June 20, 5-7:30 p.m., in the House of Awakened Culture.

North Kitsap High School’s graduation ceremony is June 14, 7 p.m.; Kingston High School’s graduation ceremony is June 15, 2 p.m., both at North Kitsap Stadium.