Students at Lake Road Elementary are riding in style after a donation of 30 bicycles from Academy Sports and Outdoors. The giveaway was part of Academy's annual holiday bicycle donation program, a 15-year tradition for the company which spreads cheer during the Christmas season.
Earlier in the semester, Lake Road staff decided to use the donation as an attendance incentive. Twenty-four students who did not miss a minute of school from August through December received a new, 20-inch Ozone bicycle and helmet during last week's morning celebration. The remaining six were raffled to any student who had completed an entire week with no absences or tardies.
Third-grader Izayah Dugger was so excited when he received his bike that he was lost for words, according to his mother Brittany.
"He thought he would just get a paper award, which he was fine with," she said. "It just made him feel good to get an award. But the bike topped it all off. He was so happy he was speechless."
Dugger lives near his elementary school and the bus stops in front of his house, which made earning perfect attendance a convenient task for the nine-year-old.
"I felt really, super happy," said Dugger, recalling the moment he was given his prize.
Brittany Dugger said though this is not her sons first bicycle, his original is in need of repairs.
"So he's glad to have a new one and it's bigger," she added.
Academy Sports and Outdoors Poplar Bluff Store Director Gene Hux said the bicycle donation program is a great way for the retailer to make an impact during the holidays.
"It's an opportunity to give back to the community around Christmas time," Hux said. "This year, Lake Road was first on our list."
The 30 bicycle winners are: Dugger, My'Kia Blackmon, Kaden Calvin, Shane Clatt, Tobi Duncan, Kendryck Dunkin, Gage Earnheart, Malik Gulledge, Michael Harris, Damon Hickson, Makenzie Hovis, Steffine Lacy, Gracie Laughlin, Daryise Lee, Aaliyah Mitchell, Abigail Nguyen, Alasia Sanford, Damien Sexton, Aiden Shearin, Austin Shearin, Avery Shearin, Somaria Simpson, Iazzack Starks, Sarah Stokes, Krista Thomas, David Tidwell, Payton Timothy, Geni Trial, Bristol Weadon, and Eric White.