The Horizon Science Academy of Lorain recently hosted a BMX event on its campus.
The 850 students who attend the Horizon Science Academy, 760 Tower Blvd. in Lorain, just returned to class this week following their spring break and witnessed daredevil stunts by 13-year BMX rider Juan Fernandez.
This week, Ohio’s State Tests in English Language Arts was scheduled to start for grades three to eight and high school, and will continue until the end of the month, said Jessika Varner, business manager and community engagement coordinator for Horizon Science Academy of Lorain.
The tests will include reading comprehension and writing, and usually take over one and a half hours, and will show the students’ proficiency, Varner said.
“Our theme for this year’s tests was BMX (bicycle motocross), with the hallways fully decorated with checkered flags and pit stop areas, to help to lessen the students’ anxiety about the upcoming tests,” she said.
The students were treated to a 45-minute BMX stunt show with a positive message from Fernandez that encouraged them to: always follow their dreams and to never give up; to be respectful and kind to everyone; to have motivation and to stay motivated to be the best at everything that you do every day; that they will stay in school and educate themselves every day; and that they will say no to negative things.
The BMX ramp jumps included jumping over teachers and amazing spins, which held everyone’s attention while delivering a positive message, which helped lessen the students’ dwelling on their upcoming tests, Varner said.
Also, the students went home happy, and were anxious to tell their parents about what they had just seen at the academy, she said.