These 3 third-graders got the ride of their lives today
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AMMON — Three elementary school students got the ride of their lives Tuesday — the chance to ride to school on a fire truck.
Every October, the Ammon Fire Department works with Mountain Valley Elementary on the Fire Truck Challenge. Second through fifth grade students compete to earn the ride by reading the most books.
The contest ended on Oct. 15, and each day this week, the top three readers from each grade ride the fire truck to school. Tuesday was third grade’s turn.
Cassidy Dilenge, 9, Eden Parmenter, 8, and Garrett Stapleton, 8, were the three third grade students to win the coveted top spots on the truck.
“It was awesome!” Eden said. “I like bumps, and it was really bumpy!”
Cassidy said it was “fun, because I got to ride in the fire truck.”
None of the children remember exactly how many books they read, but said it was “a lot.” They also had to take reading tests to win the top spots.
A third grade teacher, Jarom Judy, also won a ride on the bus by reading a million words. The teachers compete for a spot on the truck to motivate the students and set an example for them.
Judy said about 75 percent of the students, mostly high-level and mid-level readers, compete in the challenge. To win, students read between five to 50 books, depending on how long and complex the books are.
Deputy Fire Chief Keith Banda said this is their eighth consecutive year doing the Fire Truck Challenge.
“We try and inject ourselves in the public in the most positive way possible,” Banda said. The fire department wants to project a positive image so residents will be comfortable around them if they are ever in an emergency.
The ride was on a ladder truck, fitting six people: the three kids, the teacher, a firefighter and one of EastIdahoNews.com’s reporters. Banda rode behind in another car.
When asked what his favorite part of the ride was, Garrett said, “Probably the giant seat belts.”
“We want to say how appreciative we are to the fire department for supporting us,” Judy said. “The kids really enjoy it.”
