Straight A students got an education of a somewhat different sort Monday; no pencils, pens, or assignments – just music, bowling, air hockey, laser tag, roller skating and pizza.

Tuesday, May 16, 2000

Straight A students got an education of a somewhat different sort Monday; no pencils, pens, or assignments – just music, bowling, air hockey, laser tag, roller skating and pizza. Lawrence County students were treated to a day of fun at the Spare Time Recreation Center on South Third Street by the Lawrence County Educational Service Center.

The event and allowed sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-graders from Fairland, Rock Hill, South Point, and Dawson-Bryant middle schools, as well as Symmes Valley Multi-Level School, to take the day off.

"This is an incentive for students to get straight A’s," said Harold Shafer, Lawrence County superintendent. "We think it is a great thing to reward them for performing well academically. They’ve worked hard to get here."

The field trip, originally proposed by county board member Gerald Love, was implemented five years ago to reward hard-working students for their efforts, Shafer said.

Spare Time has been the ideal place for special events like this, he added.

"The last three or four times we have done (this event) here," Shafer said. "Before, the students have been taken to Ashland Central Park, but there are more activities here."

A total of 69 students made the grade for fun and games this year, and according to Shafer, this is a substantial increase over the last five years.

"There were 30 (students) the first year we did it, so it has more than doubled," Shafer said. "Word gets around in the schools, and students know if they get straight A’s, they get to do this."

Hannah Fuhr, 12, of Rock Hill Middle School said she has made straight A’s since she was in first grade. Miss Fuhr said she bowled most of the day with her friend Ashley Davis, 12, who Miss Fuhr referred to as a "pro."

"I used to bowl in the Blue Ribbon League in Kentucky," said Miss Davis, who also is a student at Rock Hill. "I’ve been bowling since I was 4 years old, but I started in the league in the fourth grade," she said.

Bowling was the popular choice among the activities, as the majority of students spent their time striking pens and keeping score instead of doing the "hokey-pokey."

Bowling is more up Kayla Hankins’ alley. The 13-year-old Rock Hill student scored 102 in her best game of the day.

But not only pros approached the alleys. Symmes Valley student Heath Wiseman, 14, wanted a change Monday. He decided to take up a ball instead of playing his usual round of laser tag.

However, his friend Seth Colegrove, 14, also a Symmes Valley student, preferred laser tag.

Although bowling was not his first choice, Colegrove decided to join Wiseman in a game.

"(Bowling’s) OK. I’m not that great," said Colegrove as his turn approached. "I’ve got to bowl now."

None of the students would have been able to enjoy the day, however, if not for the dedication of Linda Dickess, the county’s program coordinator for gifted children, Shafer said.

Mrs. Dickess sets up most of the activities and provides the transportation of the kids to and from the recreation center.

"Our hats are off to Linda," he said. "She has done a super job."