Students at École RW Bobby Bend School had plenty to celebrate on June 25 as five children rode away with brand-new bicycles during the school’s annual Hike or Bike initiative.
The surprise presentation saw bike sponsors travel from classroom to classroom searching for the winning students while teacher Mme. Doll livestreamed the event so classmates could watch the excitement unfold from their own classrooms.
This year’s bicycle winners were Kallie Malosky, Grade 2; Grady Stetch, kindergarten; Maiwenn Chicouene, Grade 1; Addilyn Lavallee, Grade 3; and Emilia Booth, Grade 4.
The Hike or Bike program runs from April through June and encourages students to walk or cycle to school every Tuesday. Each time students participated, they earned a ballot for a weekly draw, sponsored by the school’s Parent Advisory Council, for a free ice cream cone from The Kiln.
All weekly ballots were also entered into the grand prize draw for one of five bicycles donated by Eco-Metallic Industries, The Kiln, Prairie Zen, the Stonewall Rockwood Fire Department and École RW Bobby Bend School.
Students who were unable to walk or bike to school were still able to participate by completing laps indoors or outdoors or by taking part in another physical activity at home.
The annual initiative promotes healthy, active lifestyles while encouraging family participation and giving students the opportunity to stay active throughout the spring. The bicycle draw serves as the program’s grand finale, rewarding students for choosing active transportation and regular physical activity.
