Elementary students at area schools awarded bikes via Masonic Lodge’s reading incentive program

Written by Jeff Richards
May 26, 2019
"Bikes for Books" winners at Three Falls Elementary School, Hurricane, Utah, May 15, 2019 | Photo courtesy of Three Falls Elementary, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — Approximately four dozen children in four Washington County elementary schools received new bicycles the last week of school, courtesy of the St. George Masonic Lodge No. 33’s “Bikes for Books” program.

David Reinitz, the lodge’s senior warden, said after successful implementation of the reading incentive program at Coral Canyon Elementary School last year, lodge members generously donated enough money to bring the incentive to three other area schools, namely Three Falls and Hurricane elementary schools in Hurricane, plus Santa Clara Elementary School.

At schoolwide assemblies held at each of the four schools, Masonic Lodge members presented the bikes to one boy and one girl at each grade level. The more books the students read, the more chances they had to win a free bike.

“The Masonic Lodge (members) were amazing and our kids here at Three Falls Elementary were thrilled,” said Helayna Wheeler, the school’s librarian and media specialist.

“Bikes for Books” winners at Coral Canyon Elementary School, May 16, 2019 | Photo courtesy of Coral Canyon Elementary, St. George News

Winners also received a helmet and T-shirt as part of their prize.

“Our students have read over 4,000 books this year,” added Fran Stucki, learning coach at Santa Clara Elementary. “This is amazing.  Some of our students have filled over 15 passports with seven books per passport.”

Reinitz said the lodge members plan to continue the popular program at the same four schools again next year, plus they plan to add another “two or more” participating schools, thanks to the “fantastic” response they have received.

Check out some of the happy faces of bike winners in the gallery below. Additional photos to be added later as they are submitted.

Click on photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2019, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jeff Richards, a native of Salt Lake City with family roots in Panguitch, lived in Moab for 20 years before joining St. George News in 2017. Jeff is a longtime journalist and secondary school teacher. He and his wife Penny are the parents of five daughters. They also have two young grandsons. Jeff and his family enjoy swimming, camping, sightseeing, reading, and taking pictures.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @stgnews@moabjeff@stgnewssports

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