The staff at Riley Elementary School had a dilemma; local donors were providing four bikes to give away for perfect attendance, but the school had five students who never missed a day of school, showed up late or left early. So, the staff pitched in and purchased a fifth bike.
All five of Great Bend USD 428’s elementary schools were given four Trek 200 mountain bikes from local donors. The black and silver, 7-speed bicycles have 24-inch wheels and come from Golden Belt Bicycle Company in Great Bend. The store is among the list of donors.
The schools were invited to hold drawings for the bike. Only students with great attendance could have their names in the drawing.
Some schools allowed one absence or tardy, but getting a chance at a bike required a real commitment from students and parents too.
“These folks should be commended for all their hard work,” said Dale Pullman, who oversaw the drawing Tuesday at Lincoln Elementary.
The following Riley students went home with new bicycles last week: Manuel Ayala, sisters Ashlyn Weber and Lydia Weber, Alaunuh Ybarra and Hector Barrios.
Winners from Jefferson Elementary were Karley Stukey, Konner Holinde, Matt Schroeder and Eliana Teri.
Winners from Park Elementary were Robert Calderwood, Jesse Jackson, James Valdovinos and Liberty Abarca.
Winners from Eisenhower Elementary were Denver Crenshaw, Joseph Bennett, Kristi Wittig and Degan Ellis.
Winners from Lincoln Elementary were Brady Burnham, Dustin Fuggitt, Paige Thexton and Ethan Hammeke.
The following donors were acknowledged: Dale and Chris Klima, Maggie Reinhardt, Ron and Kathy Straub, Candace and Fred Nuss, Don and Susan Young, Roger Krier, Rick and Lois Ball, John and Nancy Francis, Craig and Kari Smith, Dale and Karen Shaner, Gail Carpenter, Jane Isern, Art Jr. and Kristen Baker, Larry Zinn Memorial Golf Tournament and Golden Belt Bicycle Company.