HARRISON – It didn’t take third-grade student Hope Proctor much thought to keep the news that she had won $5,000 for a new playground secret.

“I forgot,” laughed Proctor when asked how she kept mum for so long.

The affable youngster wearing a wide grin announced to SAD 17 directors on Monday that she had won a contest sponsored by Nickelodeon.

The program, “Let’s Just Play” Giveaway, asks students to give three reasons why the student’s school or club needs more play time. Harrison Elementary School Principal Pat Bradbury decided it might be a fun homework assignment for her students and a chance to win money for a playground.

“I wrote that it is to help your brain get ready for class,” said Proctor of one of her answers.

“We’re so pleased our children did it and so pleased Hope won,” Bradbury said.

The money will be used to pay for the first part of what is hoped to be an expansive playground set. The previous wooden playground had to be removed when it became unsafe.

Other fundraising is now ongoing by the PTO. Donations as large as $10,000 have been received for the project.

Bradbury said the goal is to set up the playground once school is out.

Nickelodeon said it has provided about $2.4 million to 400 organizations through the program to date.