February 27, 2017
Rutherford County Schools
MURFREESBORO — Through a partnership with two local automotive dealerships, elementary students in Rutherford County Schools are being surprised and rewarded with a new bicycle for maintaining good attendance.
Andy Obeissy — who owns both Toyota and Scion of Murfreesboro and Ford of Murfreesboro — visited Blackman Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 24, to celebrate good attendance with students. In front of a gymnasium full of students, Obeissy drew the name of a student — Shawn Clopton — who was awarded a green and white bicycle for having perfect attendance the previous month.
Obeissy attended a similar event at Brown's Chapel Elementary School on Monday, Feb. 27, and drew the name of Darren Boakye, another student with perfect attendance last month.
The partnership is intended to provide an incentive for parents and students to maintain good school attendance, which is invaluable for student academic achievement. The school district hopes to continue the program with Obeissy so bikes can be awarded at other elementary schools throughout the school year.
PHOTO / JAMES EVANS
(TOP) While Principal Kellye Goostree cheers with other students, Brown’s Chapel Elementary School student Darren Boakye hugs Andy Obeissy — owner of Toyota and Scion of Murfreesboro and Ford of Murfreesboro — after Boakye was awarded a bike for maintaining perfect attendance. Boakye said he doesn’t have a bike at home.
PHOTO / KEITH RYAN CARTWRIGHT
(BOTTOM) Shawn Clopton of Blackman Elementary School also maintained perfect attendance and is surprised with a new bike by Obeissy during a school assembly on Friday, Feb. 24. Pictured, from left, are Principal Cynthia Ford, Obeissy and Clopton.