Bainbridge Elementary supports a neighbor from Deer Meadow
BAINBRIDGE -- A special awards ceremony Friday morning at Bainbridge Elementary School was first of all a way to honor the students' achievements during the first nine weeks.
However, it was also a way for the school to show its support for a fellow young person in need.
Over the past year, the school has collected more than 211,000 pop tabs to donate to the Ronald McDonald House of Indiana. With the recent hospitalization of Deer Meadow first grader Eli Hardwick, Bainbridge donated the tabs in honor of Eli.
"This is the best time we thought we could send them in since it's someone local," said Bainbridge teacher Kristie Hankins. "It's changed our lives as parents and as drivers. You look at things a little different."
Hardwick was seriously injured when he was struck by a car at Big Walnut Sports Park on Sept. 30. After nearly a month at Riley Hospital, Eli was slated to come home on Friday.
Ronald McDonald House uses the funds raised by the recycling of pop tabs to help with operational costs throughout the year. The facility provides a place to stay for the families of sick and injured children at Riley.
Besides the donation in honor of Eli, the school also honored its own students. The faculty decided this year to have an awards ceremony following each grading period to reward students and encourage them to keep working hard at their studies.
Students were honored for attendance, citizenship and academic accomplishments. October's students of the month were also honored at the event.
As an added bonus to the students, the convocation opened with a visit from North Putnam High School football coach Greg Barrett and a number of Cougar players. Barrett and team captain Nate Bryan each gave some words of wisdom and encouragement.
Barrett gave the students the three rules he has his players live by:
1) Do what's right.
2) Do your best
3) Treat people the way you'd like to be treated.
The coach and players also handed out the perfect attendance awards to the students.