The Race to the Finish Line

We all remember a time in childhood when we were given an opportunity to work hard toward a goal—and either claimed victory or missed the mark.

This year, 46 students at Berryhill School earned the bikes Principal Bahnson promised them at the beginning of the school year for maintaining a high attendance rate and passing their standardized testing. On the last day of school, they had the opportunity to ride their new bikes around the bus lot before they were delivered to their homes.

Referred to as "holy moments" by Jane's Fund Development Associate Danielle as she fitted students with new bike helmets, one student described it as "the best feeling of my life." Another shared, "I can finally visit my friend's house for the first time this summer."

The odds were stacked against them being able to reach the attendance challenge. Obstacles such as cold weather, parents already at work when the bus arrived each morning, and a lack of personal resources could have made success difficult. Yet these fearless students persevered, earning not only a new bike, but also a sense of pride, confidence, and accomplishment.

What started as a brainstorming session between Jane's Fund and the leadership team at Berryhill School last fall to address chronic absenteeism ended in celebration in the school parking lot on the last day of school. Students who miss 10% or more of the school year (18 days) have lower reading and math scores and are less likely to graduate from high school.

Please consider making a donation to help fund a bike helmet or bicycle for a hard-working young student who may have never owned a bike before:

Bike: $400
Helmet: $50

A special thank you to Principal Cara Bahnson for riding her bicycle through the halls of the school this year to encourage students to keep going and never give up; to Assistant Principal Natasha McBryde for helping think outside the box of what seemed impossible; and to Beacon Partners for serving as the hands and feet behind bike storage, transportation, and teaching students how to ride their new bikes. Liberty Bicycles and Kathy Izard, thank you for helping this dream come true.