Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Wednesday, June 03, 2009

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The limos' lights and audio equipment and televisions were a big hit with the Harrison students.

Steamy temperatures couldn’t wilt kids’ high expectations Tuesday at Harrison Elementary, where fifth-graders climbed into limousines for a short ride down the street to deSha’s restaurant.

“I feel famous!” Jessica Perez said as she and her classmates lined up next to the pair of 16-passenger stretch Hummers parked in front of their school.

The treat capped a successful year for Harrison’s oldest students, who earned the special ride and lunch outing for their hard work in the classroom.

“Our kids have put in more effort than I’ve ever seen,” said teacher Amelia Briscoe. “We have good students who want to work and achieve high goals.”

Thanks to their diligence, about three dozen kids enjoyed the end-of-the-year surprise – well, it was supposed to be a surprise.

“We kept it a secret for a while, but it leaked,” said PSA Leigh Ann McLaughlin, who helped organize the outing.

Kyla Beasley said once word got out, she and her classmates circled the big day on their calendars. “We’ve been looking forward to it,” she said, adding, “We earned it because we tried our best.”

The shiny Hummers, complete with light and audio systems and televisions, were a hit.

“I’ve been in a limo before but never in a Hummer,” Khalif Best said before leaving for deSha’s, which is downtown a few blocks from the school.

McLaughlin lined up the rides courtesy of Affiliated Computer Services, where her husband works. “We wanted to do something way far above their wildest dreams,” she said.

The school staff paid for the kids’ lunch.

The treats were part of an ongoing effort at Harrison to reward students for demonstrating “good faith efforts” such as having a positive attitude, turning in their best work and giving 100 percent.

Tuesday’s outing wasn’t the only end-of-school celebration for this school, where more than 90 percent of students receive free or reduced lunches. Last week, the entire student body took in a screening of the animated film “Bolt” at the Kentucky Theatre.

“It was such a treat because some of our kids had never been to a movie theater,” McLaughlin said.