A special group of people were recognized at two schools Friday for their role as grandparents. It’s a fact grandparents play a huge part in the lives of their grandchildren, with many saying it’s more rewarding to be a grandparent than it is to be a parent.
Irving College School and Morrison School both held activities for the grandparents with crafts, reading, sharing a meal, and other fun projects on the agenda.
The first-grade classes at Irving College invited their grandparents to their rooms, with the guests introducing themselves with a favorite school memory of theirs. Teacher Angelica Terrazas assisted them with the art activity where they designed their own family tree using their fingerprints dipped in colorful paint.
“We want to stress the connection of family to school,” said Terrazas. “The children have been very excited about the day and are proud to have their loved ones here.”
The group enjoyed a book video titled “How to Babysit Grandpa,” with young and old alike finding humor in the presentation.
Next door, teacher Gina Holt also had the art project, then the group gathered outdoors to blow bubbles from huge bubble wands, before having lunch together.
Grandmother Deborah Gentry attended with her granddaughter Brookelyn Fincher, one of her nine grandchildren.
“Being a grandmother is wonderful,” said Fincher. “Six of my grandchildren are in Nebraska, and I try to visit them at least twice a year. They think I’m the grandmother that lives in the airport because that is where they pick me up and take me back.”
Rachel Graves is enjoying her inaugural year as Irving College principal, and took time to drop in on the classrooms.
“The children have been excited all week about today because grandparents and children have such a unique relationship,” said Graves. “They are a very big part of their lives.” 
Morrison holds a Grandparents Day observance each year with 240 grandparents attending, featuring a meal in the cafeteria followed by a photo session. Guests enjoyed barbecue sandwiches, chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, baked beans, salad, slaw and fruit.
Lana Benner attended to have lunch with her granddaughters, Hannah Muncey and Natalie Muncey.
“I’ve been coming to the school to have lunch with my grandchildren for three years,” said Benner. “It’s fun. The food is good. It’s a lot better than when I attended school.”
Morrison student Aiden Ely, 5, was happy to have his grandmother, Angelia Ely, at his school for the first time. She is employed at Yorozu and had to ask for time off to attend.
“To be honest with you, this is wonderful,” said Angelia. “They didn’t have this when his mother was in school. This is a good idea for grandparents, as well as their grandchildren. Sometimes it’s difficult to find one-on-one time with them. We get time together, just the two of us.”