Published February 23. 2026 05:17PM
Tiny elderly filled kindergarten classrooms at Northwestern Elementary on Feb. 6 as students celebrated the 100th day of school by dressing up as centenarians.
The annual tradition allows kindergartners to wear creative costumes including suspenders, caps, bow ties, shawls, gray wigs, curlers, and oversize glasses.
The 100-year-olds proudly paraded from classroom to classroom visiting older siblings, friends, and teachers celebrating the milestone while lighting up the entire building.
Students waved and giggled as they shuffled down the halls practicing their best slow-motion walks with aches and pains using canes.
Older students cheered them on and offered high-fives and hugs to their little visitors.
For many, the 100th day celebration has become a favorite tradition and a fun way to recognize how much learning has taken place since the first day of school.
Teachers often incorporate counting activities and writing prompts about what students will be doing at 100 years old.
Jordan Wessner along with her daughter Kendall dressed up as 100-year-old ladies complete with gray wigs and glasses. Kendall even wore a medical alert necklace to go with her cane for their walk through the building celebrating 100 days of learning.
Lovely Althea B. happily posed with her old lady purse as she prepared for the classroom parade. She looked very grandmotherly to mark the 100th day of school.
Kindergarten centenarians visited older siblings during the school’s annual 100th day parade. There were several proud brothers and sisters as they waved, hugged, and snapped photos while mini centenarians showed of their outfits and acted elderly. Maddie K. gives her sister Mallie a hug.
PRESS PHOTOS BY ERICA SEITHERSarah Bocella, Olivia Estrella, Kathleen McDonald, Mel Fink (Wendy White’s class), Jordan Wessner, and Loribeth Knauss, with all of their kindergarten centenarians and the school’s support dog Baxter. Teachers led their 100-year-old students through the halls during the annual parade.
Sporting assorted glasses, suspenders, pearls, and bow ties, with canes in hand, Kindergartners Baker S. and Harper B proudly share their creative costumes.
The parade was tiring for old ladies Norah M. and Liv Estrella. They took a moment to catch their breath and snap a photo before getting back into the classroom routine after the parade.
Loribeth Knauss and Grace D. practiced slow shuffling with canes while visiting classrooms during the 100th day celebration.
Kindergarten centenarians visited older siblings during the school’s annual 100th day parade. There were several proud brothers and sisters as they waved, hugged, and snapped photos while mini centenarians showed of their outfits and acted elderly. Ella V. joins her sister and Olivia V. for a photo.
Kindergarten centenarians visited older siblings during the school’s annual 100th day parade. There were several proud brothers and sisters as they waved, hugged, and snapped photos while mini centenarians showed of their outfits and acted elderly. Eli and Phin Y. during the 100th day parade through the school.
Kindergarten centenarians visited older siblings during the school’s annual 100th day parade. There were several proud brothers and sisters as they waved, hugged, and snapped photos while mini centenarians showed of their outfits and acted elderly. Tanner and Everly B. during the 100th day parade.
