Carole Martin, M.A., CCC-A/SLP
Scottish Rite Clinic for Childhood Language Disorders
1820 Capitol Avenue, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001

Spring months are always special times for those of us in the Rocky Mountain region. Every day is a surprise as we transition from winter to spring to summer, sometimes in the same week! After a long winter, we celebrate these signs of change, and at the Scottish Rite Clinic for Childhood Language Disorders we also celebrate transitions at this time of year as children graduate from our program and move on to kindergarten.

Six students of the Childhood Language Clinic received their Graduation Certificates on May 11th. Presenting the Certificates were Ill. Jack E. Nixson, 33°, S.G. I.G. in Wyoming, left rear, and Carole Martin, M. A., CCC-A/SLP, Director of the Clinic, right rear. The students, front row, left to right, are Cody Foster, Katie Lerner, and Casey McKee. Second row, left to right, are Robert Allen, Todd Blanton, and Justin Terry.

For the first few years of the clinic's existence, we recognized all the children at our annual Christmas party by giving Certificates of Participation to every child. Many times the certificates were as important as the holiday gifts the children also received. Then we began to see children complete the program. We needed to recognize their accomplishments. At first we gave Certificates of Completion to our graduates at the Christmas party. It wasn't long before we realized that kids were finishing throughout the year. And what about the youngsters who had been here two or three years and were going into first grade? Would we recognize that change? The child and her or his family had become a part of the clinic family. And what about kids moving away? We need to have some kind of way to say, "You've worked hard, and we will miss you."

Three graduate students from the University of Wyoming received Certificates of Appreciation and a stipend from the Scottish Rite Foundation of Wyoming for their work in the Childhood Language Clinic during the spring semester. Left to right are Carole Martin, M.A. CCC-A/SLP, Clinic Director; Cristy Schaffan; Illustrious Jack E. Nixson, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Wyoming; Susan Brewer; and Heather Perkins.

For many children, the clinic has become "their" school. Leaving one school and going to another can be difficult. Recognizing the need to help these youngsters make this change, the Clinic Board approved a plan of inviting our "graduates" and their families to a special dinner and awarding them their certificates. Now, at the fall and spring Reunions, youngsters eagerly come up to get their "diplomas." Graduates often show up specially dressed for graduation day. Family members take pictures. Families and Masons from around the area enjoy the dinners and the success it evidences. The dinners have become a wonderful celebration of the good things Scottish Rite Masons and parents and children are doing together. It is about celebrating a changing season in the lives of children. We can all find joy in the color they have provided in the life of the clinic and in the way we have touched their lives as they transition to their next "season."