LSF Head Start Student Spotlights Fall 2026

Palm Beach – Hens

At only 10 months old, Hens is already reaching some amazing milestones! He began walking at around seven months old and has continued to impress us with his independence, curiosity, and eagerness to learn.

Hens is becoming quite the communicator. He says words such as “mama,” “dada,” and “thank you,” and enjoys back-and-forth interactions with his teacher and friends. He is also a little book lover! Hens independently reaches for books, opens and closes them, turns the pages, and enjoys looking at the pictures.

What makes Hens especially remarkable is how quickly he adapted to our classroom community. Despite being one of our youngest learners, he follows the daily routine right alongside the older children. He eats and naps with the group, plays with his friends, participates in activities, and even helps during cleanup time.

With consistent routines, encouragement, and opportunities to explore, Hens is thriving. We are so proud of our little learner and all he has accomplished!

Okaloosa – Marcio

Marcio Coleman has truly exceeded our expectations with the remarkable growth he has demonstrated since joining McGriff EHS in February 2025.

When he first arrived, Marcio often struggled to use words to communicate his wants and needs, relying instead on nonverbal cues. Over time, through consistent routines, supportive guidance, and intentional teaching strategies, he has developed the confidence and ability to express himself verbally.

Today, Marcio has emerged as a leader among his peers in the Head Start classroom. He eagerly participates in daily activities and has taken pride in becoming a dependable helper, showing initiative and responsibility. His willingness to assist both teachers and classmates reflects not only his growth in communication but also his developing social and emotional skills.

Marcio’s journey is a powerful example of how consistency, patience, and purposeful instruction can make a lasting impact. His progress highlights the importance of nurturing each child’s potential and celebrating every milestone along the way. We are incredibly proud of Marcio and look forward to seeing his continued success.

Palm Beach – Lucas

When Lucas joined our Early Head Start program in October 2024, he was a little over two years old and needed an adult to hold his hands as he worked to walk.

His teachers quickly recognized his unique needs and closely observed his development. Through their dedication and collaboration with program staff, Lucas was referred to Child Find and for private therapy services to support his physical, speech, cognitive, and overall development.

When Lucas transitioned to Head Start this past school year, he began receiving the services and support he needed, and his progress has been truly inspiring. Despite receiving a recent medical diagnosis, Lucas has continued to thrive and show us what is possible when a child is surrounded by caring adults who believe in him.

Today, we celebrate how far he has come and ever beautiful milestone along the way. Lucas is walking, running, talking, and demonstrating problem-solving skills. He has made remarkable strides from where he began, and his growth is a wonderful reminder of the importance of early identification, intervention, and individualized support.

Lucas’s journey reflects the heart of Head Start: recognizing each child’s strengths, connecting families with resources, and providing children with the support they need to reach their fullest potential. We are so proud of Lucas and excited to see all that he will accomplish!

Pinellas – Christopher

Christopher Liranzo is new this year in our center. When he arrive mom mentioned to us her concern about his behavior.

During these few weeks of school we are being working with Christopher creating and safe and positive environment with consistency and routine.

We see a huge behavior change in him. The lady that came to observed him complemented us for the change she is seeing in him.

Hillsborough – Jamir S.

We would like to take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate the growth and accomplishments of a child who was part of our EHS Hillsborough Program.

We would like to take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate the growth and accomplishments of a child who was part of our EHS Hillsborough Program. According to his provider, when Jamir S. first joined the program, he needed additional support in the areas of speech and cognitive development. There were several skills he was continuing to work on, but with patience and consistent support, he continued making progress toward his developmental goals.

Throughout his time in the program, his family and provider worked together to provide guidance and opportunities for learning and development. This strong partnership played an important role in supporting his growth and helping him build confidence and independence.

We are especially proud to share that when Jamir transitioned out of the program, he was talking and communicating more effectively and had become fully potty trained. These accomplishments represent significant milestones in his development and demonstrate the progress he made during his time in the program.

We would like to recognize and thank his family and provider for their dedication, support, and partnership. Their commitment helped create an environment where Jamir S. could learn, grow, and thrive.