Thirty bicycles were given away to students at Eugene Field prior to the holiday through a newly forged partnership between Academy Sports + Outdoors and the Poplar Bluff Police Department.

Police officials selected the elementary school, and educators worked in a roundabout way to identify students based on need. Principal Jennifer Taylor factored in attendance and behavior in order to make the final selections. 

The lucky recipients were surprised during a special assembly held Tuesday, Dec. 18, in the gymnasium featuring a musical performance by the GLEEders. Families were invited to help celebrate and transport the bikes home.

This is the second year Academy Sports included Poplar Bluff Schools in the holiday bike donation program, which dispersed over 5,500 Ozone 500 bikes and helmets across its service area, according to store manager Gene Hux. The national sporting goods chain chose Lake Road Elementary to incentivize in 2017. 

Winners included: Janet Battles, Alison Bell, Savannah Bell, Jordan Boening, MacKynzie Cluck, Harmony Cornett, Natalie Daves, Olivia Doernhoefer, James Foreman, Jeanie Harget, Jamaria Johnson, Raven Johnson, Emma Lindsey, Noah Longhibler, Rayne Luellen, Brycen Lutman, Madelynn Martin, Justin May, Bryden McElhaney, Jasmine Odle, Adyn Payne, Kale Pearman, Brianna Reed, Makenzie Schrimsher, Roy Schrimsher, Ali Skinner, Damarion Sutton, Payten Thurner, Manuel Tutor and Kaylin Walker. 

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Cutline: Alison Bell of the first grade is called forward to receive her new bike.