A record-setting total of 267 Blendon Middle School students celebrated their academic and community service achievements by enjoying an afternoon of bowling at Gahanna Lanes on November 5. To qualify for the 1st quarter 2015-2016 Renaissance Awards program, pupils had to meet high standards in academics, community service, attendance, attitude, and school spirit. In the six years Blendon has been celebrating Renaissance, this marks the most pupils to qualify.
Each quarter, at an awards ceremony, qualifying students receive both a certificate for their accomplishment and a tangible reward, which is donated by local businesses. This time, each child received coupons from First Watch, Raising Canes Chicken, Skyline Chili, and Little Caesar’s Pizza.
A variety of wonderful, donated prizes were also raffled, including Renaissance t-shirts from Principal Kendall Harris and gift cards from Anthony Thomas, Cheryl’s Cookies, Chiller Ice Rink, City BBQ, Cold Stone Creamery, Columbus Square Bowling Palace, Dairy Queen, Donato’s Pizza, Graeter’s Ice Cream, Fazoli’s Italian Restaurant, Little Caesar’s, Marie Scrambler’s, Noodles & Company, Old Skool Skateboards, Rita’s Italian Ice, Westerville Recreation Center, and former student Christopher Tedeschi – just to name a few. The Grand Prize was a Birthday Party for 10 from Skate Zone 71 and a Balloon Arrangement from Cook’s Balloonery.
Following the awards presentation, students spent the rest of the day enjoying bowling, miniature golf, and video arcade games at Gahanna Lanes Bowling.
Blendon’s Renaissance Awards Program would not be possible without the continued support of local and national businesses, parents, and the Blendon PTO.