London Bravard, 9 was understandably happy and excited when they called her name to receive a bicycle on Wednesday.
The fourth grader was one of about 270 who received bikes, a helmet and a bike lock as part of the The Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation (EVSC) Summer Program.
“The kids are chosen during the site, summer programs (for) good attitude, good behavior and good attendance,” said EVSC Board President Chris Kiefer. “And so if they have those things, then their site leaders nominate them to win a bicycle.”
He added that the students didn’t ‘win’ the bikes — they ‘earned’ them for an outstanding effort.
About 700 attended the summer program, and the assembly Wednesday. They cheered for their schoolmates who earned bikes
EVSC spokesperson Jason Woebkenberg said the program started small, 18 years ago. It has grown through donations and community support.
“It's a great motivating factor for them to do their best and to show up every day because kids enjoy summer, and so for them to do that, this is a great way at the end of the program to reward students for doing a job well done all summer,” he said.
Kiefer said Ivy Tech Community College accepts and holds donations for the bicycles, which are purchased from Pacific Cycle.
While the hands-on safety component is no longer part of the program due to COVId-19, the children did watch a safety video before receiving the bikes.
