Kindergartener Celebrates 100th Day of School With 100-Year-Old Great-Grandpa

A kindergartener celebrates the 100th day of school with 100-year-old great-grandpa, and the kids are all better for it! The classroom at Saint Thomas More School in Decatur, Georgia, was buzzing with excitement as kindergarteners celebrated the 100th day of school—a milestone marking the halfway point of the year. Most children arrived carrying collections of 100 small objects, carefully counted and proudly displayed. But one student brought something no one else could.

K.J. Schmansky brought her 100-year-old great-grandfather, and they even dressed alike!

When Sonny Ragan walked into the classroom, time itself seemed to follow him. At 100 years old, he wasn’t just a guest—he was living history, standing in the middle of a room full of five- and six-year-olds dressed up as centenarians for the occasion. What began as a simple show-and-tell quickly became something much more meaningful.

The Kindergartener Brings Her Great-Grandpa to School

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“I was born October, the 8th, 1925, in Grant Park. Well, not in the park…,” Sonny joked, instantly winning over the room.

For the students, it was a rare chance to ask questions that stretched far beyond math lessons and reading circles. They wanted to know what life was like “back then.” Did he have a car? Were there grocery stores? What was different?

Other than three years serving in the U.S. Navy, Sonny has lived in Atlanta his entire life, witnessing a century of change unfold around him. From quiet streets to bustling highways, from handwritten letters to smartphones, his life has spanned generations that most of his great-granddaughter’s classmates can’t yet imagine.

Faith and Family Keeps Him Going

K.J.’s mother, Katie Schmansky, watched as the children listened closely, soaking in stories that felt almost unreal. For Sonny, the moment was simple and sweet—sharing memories with a room full of curious hearts and one very special great-granddaughter beaming beside him.

When asked what’s kept him going for 100 years, Sonny didn’t hesitate. He pointed to faith and family.

“I’m not good with that many words, but she’s the best. I tell you, I love her with all my heart,” he said, speaking of his great-granddaughter.

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In that classroom, surrounded by paper projects and tiny desks, generations met in the most ordinary—and extraordinary—way. A milestone lesson turned into a reminder that love, faith, and family are what truly endure.

As Sonny looks ahead, he says he hopes to live to 105, just to watch K.J. keep growing. And for one unforgettable school day, a century of life became the best lesson those students will ever learn.

“One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.” Psalm 145:4

WATCH: Kindergartener Celebrates 100th Day of School With 100-Year-Old Great-Grandpa

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h/t: CBS NEWS

Featured Image Credit: YouTube/CBS Evening News

Heather Riggleman is a believer, wife, mom, author, social media consultant, and full-time writer. She lives in Minden, Nebraska with her kids, high school sweetheart, and three cats who are her entourage around the homestead. She is a former award-winning journalist with over 2,000 articles published. She is full of grace and grit, raw honesty, and truly believes tacos can solve just about any situation. You can find her on GodUpdates, iBelieve, Crosswalk, Hello Darling, Focus On The Family, and in Brio Magazine. Connect with her at www.HeatherRiggleman.com or on Facebook.