LEWISTON — Whether their team wins or loses, Lewiston High School community members will have lots to cheer about at Saturday night’s basketball game at the school.
Just before the tip-off for the boys’ varsity game against Edward Little High School of Auburn, LHS will be presented with a check for $25,000 from State Farm insurance after the school community rallied to come up with thousands of safe driving pledges in the fall.
The “Celebrate My Drive” nationwide State Farm grant program was held Oct. 18-26. Students, staff and community members made online pledges to follow safe driving tips. The top pledge-getter schools in the nation won grants.
“Lewiston High School is the only Maine school that won,” Lewiston Superintendent Bill Webster said Friday.
“The faculty and students at Lewiston High School are very grateful for the generous donation,” high school Principal Linda MacKenzie said.
Promoting safe driving is a worthwhile endeavor, she said. “It is heartbreaking when a student is involved in an accident.”
About 90 precent of the $25,000 grant will go toward fundraising to build a comprehensive athletic complex for the community, the Franklin Pasture Sports Complex, Athletic Director Jason Fuller said. The remaining 10 percent will be used to develop a safe driving program for students.
Getting enough pledges to win “is a huge accomplishment,” Fuller said, adding that the safe driving tips from State Farm are a good education for everyone.
“It’s a great example of what the community is capable of doing when everybody is working together,” Fuller said. “It’s the result of a lot of hard work by teachers, administrators, students and the rest of the community.”
The nationwide competition was tough, Fuller said. “Lewiston almost fell out of the running, but people rallied at the last second.”
The check will be given by Lewiston State Farm agent Lisa Laliberte after the girls’ basketball game and before the boys’ varsity game, at about 7:45 p.m.
For more information: www.celebratemydrive.com.
— Bonnie Washuk, Staff Writer
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