Seven students from Sir John A. Cumber Primary School received new bicycles as a result of a 14-year effort by West Bay resident Floyd Bush to reward the youths for excellence both in the classroom and on the sports field.

Although Mr. Bush graduated from what is now known as Sir John A Cumber Primary School more than 25 years ago it hasn’t stopped him from staying involved in the development of well-rounded boys and girls at the school.

For the 14th straight year, Mr Bush found sponsors to donate new bicycles to the Sir John A. Cumber Year 6 students who excelled in both academics and sports. What started out as a reward for just one boy and one girl in 1999 has grown over the years, with seven students receiving new bicycles to help keep them active over their summer break.

Sir John A. Cumber Primary School, which has students from Reception through Year 6, had a student body of 563 children. Eighty-eight of those children were Year 6 students.

Students selected by school teachers and Principal Joseph Wallace to receive bikes for their achievements in the classroom as well as on the sports field included Daniella Gourzong, Ericia Burke, Mishaye Ebanks, Thea Powell, Cam’ Ron Solomon, Barry Dre Tibbetts and Brian Taylor.

The young students received their new bicycles during the school assembly on the final day of school on Friday, 28 June.

Those persuaded by Mr Bush to donate one or more bicycles included West Bay MLA Bernie Bush, Brigitte Kirkconnell-Shaughness, Curtis Bush, Melanie Ebanks and Judy Deslandes.

In recent years Mr Bush also started finding sponsors for special rewards for outstanding teachers at Sir John A. Cumber Primary School. This year, two teachers –Gerriann Foster and Rhuel Smith – received $250 Cayman Airways gift certificates donated by AtWater Consulting Ltd., the company owned by Mr Bush’s daughter, Pilar. Four other teachers were also recognised for their outstanding contributions with restaurant gift certificates. These teachers included Maggie Hurley, Delbert Griffith, Valrie Williams and Dwayne Bennett.