"Indpendence Day" at Vienna Elementary

On Monday morning, Winston-Salem Journal reporter Arika Herron and photographer Walt Unks headed to Vienna Elementary School for “Independence Day.”

Here is an excerpt from Herron’s story:

Zach Wilson walked hand-in-hand with his twin sister, Anna, and older brother, Andrew, into Vienna Elementary School Monday morning.

Like much of the rest of the school, all three were bedecked in red, white and blue outfits.

It wasn’t the Fourth of July, but it was “Independence Day” for Vienna’s 145 kindergarten students — including Zach and Anna.

“It’s when you wear red, white and blue,” Zach said.

It’s the day that kindergarten students are supposed to say goodbye to mom or dad at the bus stop or car door and walk into the school on their own.

In its third year, Independence Day has become a Vienna tradition.

“Independence is what we’re trying to teach them,” said Andy Lester-Niles, principal at Vienna. “It’s time to do stuff on your own. Walking from your parent’s car… that’s part of it.”

You will find the full story at Winston-Salem Journal

The pictures are by Walt Unks.