Santa Claus left an early Christmas present for 23 straight A students at Meadowview Elementary School.
Principal Shelley Barrett recognized the group during an assembly Friday afternoon and praised them for their hard work in each course and subject during the first half of the school year. The students each received brand new bicycles and helmets, courtesy of Academy Sports + Outdoors in Bossier City, as a reward for their excellent academic performance.
The students were surprised earlier that morning in Barrett’s office, but kept it a secret from the rest of the school until it was time for the assembly. The 23 students were allowed to pick their bicycle before the presentation and custodians, Calvin Bell and Joe Battles, adjusted seats and pedals to each child’s specific measurements.
“They were very excited. It was almost like Christmas day,” Bell said. “It’s very nice to see them rewarded in this way.”
Not only was it a proud moment for school faculty and administrators, but for the parents and family members in attendance. Arthur and Benita Underwood were beaming with pride as their granddaughter, first grader Deondra Bolden, received her bicycle.
“We have worked really hard with her,” Arthur said, smiling as he looked at his granddaughter.
It was an exciting moment for Stephanie McCray, too, as her son, Dillon McCray, wheeled his new bicycle and helmet out of the gym. Stephanie said the bicycles send a positive message to all of the students – there is a reward for working hard in school.
Meadowview Elementary students who received bicycles were Deondra Bolden, first grade; Brisa Cardenas, first grade; Natalia Mata, first grade; Dillon McCray, first grade; Jaycee Summings, first grade; Kapmun Khup, first grade; Luis Nunez-Gonzalez, first grade; Kyndal McWilliams, first grade; Tatiana Scott, first grade; Ashton Coleman, second grade; Alaysha Sparkman, second grade; Ian Morton, second grade; Brianna Winzer, second grade; Charles Murphy, second grade; Joy Tillman, third grade; Shayla Morris, third grade; Christopher Kouba, third grade; Layanna Joseph, third grade; Trevon Chitman, fourth grade; Kevin Aguillar, fifth grade; Joel Cardenas, fifth grade; Victoria Corona, fifth grade; and Malia Morton, fifth grade.
Representatives from Academy Sports + Outdoors said Friday’s event is a way to give back this holiday season by awarding bikes and helmets to 90 total children in the Ark-La-Tex during Academy’s 11th annual bike donation program. With a swift thumbs up, Dillon said he couldn’t wait to get home and ride his new bicycle.
