By Josh Miller

Marshfield City Planner

MARSHFIELD — As part of the city’s Safe Routes to School Program, three local students were surprised during the school day with brand new bikes as the grand prize winners of the Walk/Bike to School Challenge. The presentations took place the first week of December.

The Walk/Bike to School Challenge is a month-long contest that takes place in October where students are encouraged to walk or bike to school or to get involved in a similar activity throughout the month. For each school day during October, teachers and parents recorded the students’ participation and then submitted the results at the end of the month.

Over 900 students took part in the contest this fall. Students that participated 20 days or more were entered into a drawing for a brand new bike, and more than 240 students qualified. This year through generous donations from local businesses, the program raised enough money to give away three bikes. Winning students will get to pick out a new bike from the Sports Den.

This year’s winners were Jenna Lindow, Nasonville Elementary; Annabelle Dick, Lincoln Elementary; and Janelle Haupt, Our Lady of Peace.

Sponsors for the program include Nasonville Dairy, Ministry St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, Re/Max American Dream, TEAM Sporting Goods, Laura Schmitt Photography, Cavu Landscaping, Forward Financial, Felker Brothers, Marshfield Insurance, Marshfield Clinic, Healthy Lifestyles, and the Sports Den.

The Walk/Bike to School Challenge has been a part of the city’s Safe Routes to School Program since 2010. Events such as this are intended to encourage students to walk and bike to school and bring awareness to such issues as increasing students’ physical activity, pedestrian safety, and reducing traffic congestion around schools.