Third graders at entered the multipurpose room on Monday, Dec. 13, thinking that two students would be awarded brand new bikes for their efforts in essay writing.
Principal Danielle Saldavia Pouncey read two essays and awarded bikes to happy children courtesy of YMCA and Bikes for Kids.
Saldavia Pouncey asked if maybe there was one more bike to be awarded. Sure enough, they found one in a nearby closet and a third student was smiling.
Next came a huge surprise — reminiscent of Oprah Winfrey’s famous TV car giveaway — when YMCA of Greater Long Beach Operations Director, Alvaro Rodriguez, dropped a black curtain to reveal 55 bikes, one for each student.
A roar took over the small room and tears fell from a few students’ eyes. The genuine appreciation and happiness felt by the children was palpable.
Third graders at Aloha Health Medical Academy react as they learn that they are all getting brand new bikes courtesy of YMCA and Bikes for Kids in Lakewood on Monday, December 13, 2021. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Third graders at Aloha Health Medical Academy react as they learn that they are all getting brand new bikes courtesy of YMCA and Bikes for Kids in Lakewood on Monday, December 13, 2021. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Third graders at Aloha Health Medical Academy attend a morning assembly to award two bikes for essays they wrote they wrote last week, in Lakewood on Monday, December 13, 2021. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Soo Yoo, board of education president for ABC Unified congratulates third graders at Aloha Health Medical Academy for the essays they wrote and for being awarded brand new bikes courtesy of YMCA and Bikes for Kids in Lakewood on Monday, December 13, 2021. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Third graders at Aloha Health Medical Academy attend a morning assembly to award two bikes for essays they wrote they wrote last week, in Lakewood on Monday, December 13, 2021. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Third graders at Aloha Health Medical Academy react as they learn that they are all getting brand new bikes courtesy of YMCA and Bikes for Kids in Lakewood on Monday, December 13, 2021. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Third graders at Aloha Health Medical Academy react as they learn that they are all getting brand new bikes courtesy of YMCA and Bikes for Kids in Lakewood on Monday, December 13, 2021. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Third graders at Aloha Health Medical Academy attend a morning assembly to award two bikes for essays they wrote they wrote last week, in Lakewood on Monday, December 13, 2021. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Third graders at Aloha Health Medical Academy react as they learn that they are all getting brand new bikes courtesy of YMCA and Bikes for Kids in Lakewood on Monday, December 13, 2021. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Third graders at Aloha Health Medical Academy react as they learn that they are all getting brand new bikes courtesy of YMCA and Bikes for Kids in Lakewood on Monday, December 13, 2021. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
