AWANA kids build, race cars

Gentry club members enjoy annual Grand Prix event, receive trophies and hear devotional message

Autumn Baker carefully places her car on the track to race it in the AWANA Grand Prix held at Gentry First Baptist Church on Feb.1.
Autumn Baker carefully places her car on the track to race it in the AWANA Grand Prix held at Gentry First Baptist Church on Feb.1.

— Starting with an unfinished pine block and a set of wheels, children at the AWANA Club which meets at Gentry's First Baptist Church crafted their own unique race cars and put them to the test on the race track last Wednesday at the club’s annual Grand Prix.

Cars were of various shapes and colors, some shaped like pop bottles and others painted with faces. One had a flashlight mounted on top which was turned on for the downhill race.

No doubt, parents helped their children carve and paint their cars, but some children had the paint on their hands to prove that they played an active part in the final design.

With car numbers drawn from a hat, the competition began. Children brought their cars to the starting gate and carefully placed them in their lanes, making sure the cars were straight to avoid dragging against the rail and slower speeds. Richard Kinser dropped the starting gate,releasing the cars to race down the track and to the finish line.

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Sidney Hanson (left) and Richard Kinser watch as Sophie Robinson places her car on the track to race in one of the many heats in the AWANA Grand Prix held at Gentry First Baptist Church on Feb 1.

Heat by heat, the cars took their runs down the track until a first-place speed winner was selected. Following a devotional, the competiton continued for second- and third-placespots and trophies for both speed and design winners.

Speed winners were: First - Madison Lopez; Second - Dallas Brigance; and Third - Robbie Leroy. Design winners were: First - Dallas Brigance; Second - Autumn Baker; and Third - Sidney Hanson.

In the end, all had a great time racing their cars, parents had opportunity to work together with their children in a project they probably won't forget soon and families came together for an evening of fun and a devotional message from the book of Psalms.

For those who won, there was the satisfaction of working together and winning a trophy. For those who finished but not at the head of the pack, there's always next year and another opportunity to build a new car and race again.

School News, Pages 8 on 02/08/2012