GREENSBORO, N.C. — Third-graders at Clara J. Peck Elementary are squirming in their seats. All 28 students are packed closely together inside the school's auditorium, hanging on the words of a bespeckled man in a navy blazer. Bob Krumroy is about to announce the final winner of this year's Bikes for Kids Essay Contest.
Off to the side, three friends, Elizabeth, Brianna, and Camila can barely watch. The first two bikes they had hoped to walk away with were won by two students from another class. Fast friends since preschool, the trio wants to win the bike for a special reason.
"If I win the contest, I'd give [the bicycle] to Brianna," said Camila.
Brianna blushes.
"Well if I win, I'm giving it to you and Elizabeth!" Brianna replied.
Elizabeth nods.
"We can share it," she said.