“We all thought it was a bit of a scam, to be honest,” Centennial Principal Andy Luebbe said.
Who doesn’t think that when a check for $10,000 arrives in your mailbox? “It’s all been a big surprise, really.”
It was even more of a surprise to fourth-grader Kaden Hammons, who’s video entry won Centennial Elementary one of the one hundred $10,000 prizes awarded in the KidoodlED Million-Dollar School Giveaway. “If it was a scam, they got me good,” he said.
Two days after Centennial received the “check,” or notification of their winnings, a box containing a certificate and additional prizes arrived.
“We went out right away to find out if, first, it's real, and second, who submitted it,” Luebbe said. They reached out to teachers and staff, and eventually found the video listed with the other winners.
“We scrolled down and there he was, Kaden’s face, asking for playground equipment and school supplies.”
Luebbe said the school reached out to Kaden’s mother, Lisa, the treasurer of the Centennial PAC.
“She was just as surprised as we were,” Luebbe said. “They had some issues uploading the video, and they weren’t even sure it made it.”
Kaden’s video is a 16-second clip nominating Centennial Elementary, saying, “It would give us free school supplies and fun recess stuff.”
The school is currently surveying students on what items they like to see added to the playground or what new supplies they could need. It’s more than that, Luebbe said.
“There’s a need for winter clothing this time of year, and getting students coats and hats,” he said. “Whatever we do, we’ll help the most students and work to get them what they want.”
Kaden’s video and the $10,000 check in the mail may have surprised Centennial, but Mr. Luebbe could expect a few boxes delivered if Kaden’s speculation is true. “I feel like every kid could get the 94 Crayola (crayon) pack with that much.”