Back from left: bus drivers John Mitkus, Camille Chadwick, Charlotte Simmons, Debby Newell, Maggie Quinlan, and Allan Ray with volunteers Dylan DeFosses, David DeFosses, Gordon Benner, Hanna Fake, Rachel DeFosses, and Rowena DeFosses. Front from left: bicycle winners Madox Gregory, William Nery, Ava Ward, Rosie Adams, Maggie Thompson, Brooke McFarland, Atticus Donaghy, and Camden McCool. (Remy Segovia photo)
Great Salt Bay Community School’s annual Bike Rodeo took place Wednesday, May 24, with bike giveaways, fun activities, and safety education. With the help of local businesses, the school’s bus drivers, who organize and raise funds for the event, highlighted the importance of proper bike safety.
In addition to giving away eight bikes – one each to a boy and a girl from each of grades K-3, the event included an outdoor skills course for students and any adult volunteers brave enough to endure its challenges. Students could also visit with firefighters and police officers.
The Bike Rodeo is a special day for the bus drivers. They wake up extra early to set up before going on their regular routes and teach in-class bike safety lessons during the day.
The bus drivers raise money for the event throughout the year, with a dinner and silent auction, as well as a dollhouse raffle. For the first time, their fundraising activities will include a lobster bake on Aug. 5.
The funds go toward bike helmets for every kindergartner and every student in any grade who cannot afford a helmet, as well as the bike safety programs.
The bus drivers have taught students bike safety for 18 years.
“Debbie (Newell) and I were the ones that put it all together,” said bus driver John Mitkus.
“We took it over from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office,” said fellow bus driver Newell.
Anyone can help out through participating in any of the fundraising events. For more information, call the school’s office at 563-3091 or contact one of the school’s bus drivers.
