Surprise! Third Graders Get Shiny New Bikes

By Ivan Saul Cutler, Carolina Peacemaker — December 12, 2025

Originally published in The Carolina Peacemaker.

Across Guilford County, thousands of surprised third grade students shouted with unexpected delight when they learned a gleaming new bicycle will be rolling their way.

Again, this holiday season, Bikes for Kids Foundation arranged for economically at-risk students attending Title 1 schools to receive bicycles. On December 9, 10 and 11, the eager students attended high-energy, pep rally-style special assemblies at three Guilford County high schools: Dudley High, High Point Central and Southeast Guilford High.

While attending the assemblies, students believed they could win a bicycle if their essays on thinking big, working hard, being kind and respectful were chosen. Squirming in their auditorium seats, students heard testimonies from accomplished high school students and professionals who said they achieved success in school by studying and earning good grades.

With several new bicycles in view, Bikes for Kids President Bob Krumroy asked a sponsor to read an essay, identify the student writer and present the student with a bike. After a few "winners" were announced, the students were encouraged to chant "one more bike," which was dramatically rolled into the auditorium to cheers, prompting Krumroy to call a strategy meeting with several sponsors to solve the "problem" of what to do next.

After the ruse "huddle," he announced, "bad news and good news," with the bad news that only a few more bicycles were available, and the good news that all the students would receive a new bicycle. At that moment, curtains on the auditorium's stage opened to reveal scores of bicycles, with students erupting in joy.