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photo by Eric Johnson
Hy-Vee store manager Todd Hepler congratulates Peter Conner, a fourth-grader who won a laptop computer as part of the "Smiles for Education" program.
It's all smiles as Banfield wins $5,000
Published Saturday, September 19, 2009
Photo by Eric Johnson
Banfield Elementary students cheer after learning the school receiving $5,000 as part of the "Smiles for Education" contest Friday afternoon.
School kids, like many adults, can be a little antsy at the end of a long week. One local school was feeling a little extra excitement Friday — one lucky fifth-grader in particular.
Todd Hepler, manager of the Austin Hy-Vee, visited Banfield Elementary Friday afternoon to put a $5,000 check in the hands of the school and award a brand new laptop to one surprised 10-year-old, Peter Conner. Conner and his school were winners of the grocery retailer’s “Smiles for Education” contest, which gives these prizes to 10 students and their schools each year. Kids must be nominated, by having someone else enter their name in the drawing at a Hy-Vee store, to enter.
Conner’s mother, Crystal, had nominated him and his school for the contest.
“She was screaming at the top of her lungs,” Hepler said of when he called Crystal to tell her the news.
Peter found out he won the MacBook at school Friday during an assembly in the gymnasium. His schoolmates, who number more than 500, jumped and cheered in excitement when his name was called.
The “Smiles for Education” promotion awards a computer and $5,000 to 10 nominated schools between the weeks of Aug. 26 and Oct. 14.
The Hy-Vee corporate office decides which stores get to draw a winner at random each week of the contest. This is the third consecutive time the Austin Hy-Vee has given the award, and the second time that Banfield has been a winner.
“This is a really fun part of my job,” Hepler said. “We recommend the schools use the money to do something tangible for the students... something the students can see.”
Banfield Principal Jayne Gibson told the students to think about what they want to do with the money and to talk it over with their parents this weekend before bringing ideas to their teachers Monday.
As for Peter and his laptop, he said he would be setting it up Friday to play games. He added that he would be happy to share it with his mom.
Students can continue to enter the contest at Hy-Vee, no more than once per day, until Oct. 14. The total value of prizes is almost $500,000. There is a limit of one prize per school and student.
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Posted by curiousobserver (anonymous) on September 19, 2009 at 2:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
At least there is a $5000 donation to smile about at Banfield. I am amazed at the change in the climate and atmosphere in that building since Deb Meyer left. The tension is so thick you can cut it with a knife. Hmmmm....
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