Blendon Renaissance celebrants included (top row, left to right) Claire Guinan, John Trimble, Lilah Benjamin, and Ryan de Nijs. Front row: Elise Aultman, Adrain Self, and Dylan Bertelsen
On January 22, 240 Blendon Middle School students enjoyed an afternoon of roller skating at Skate Zone 71 because they qualified for the 2nd Quarter Renaissance Awards program. To earn the reward, pupils had to meet stringent goals set in academic achievement, community service, attendance, attitude, and school spirit.
Each quarter, at an awards ceremony, qualifying students receive both a certificate for their accomplishment and tangible rewards, which are donated by various local businesses. This time the youngsters received coupons from First Watch, Little Caesar’s Pizza, Skyline Chili, and Gahanna Lanes Bowling.
Blendon continued the celebration with a variety of wonderful raffle prizes – again donated by local businesses and PTO parents – including Spiritwear from the Blendon PTO, and gift cards from BJ’s Brewpub, City BBQ, Cold Stone Creamery, Columbus Square Bowling Palace, Dairy Queen, Fazoli’s Italian Restaurant, Little Caesar’s, Marcus Theatres, Marie Scrambler’s, Noodles & Company, Old Skool Skateboards, Rita’s Italian Ice, the Chiller Ice Rinks, the Westerville Parks & Recreation Department, and former student Christopher Tedeschi – just to name a few. This quarter, Blendon students also had a chance to win two Grand Prizes - a Birthday Party for 10 from Skate Zone 71; and a seven-inch Digital Tablet with Wi-Fi.
Following the awards presentation, the children spent the rest of the day enjoying the amenities at Skate Zone 71, courtesy of the Blendon PTO.
This marks the 5th successful school year for the Blendon Renaissance Awards Program, which would not be possible without the continued support of local and national businesses, Blendon parents, and the Blendon PTO.