THANKS, WE’RE GOING TO UNIVERSAL!:
Daily News gives class a trip
THESE BRONX kids just punched their ticket to Universal Studios Florida.
A sixth-grade class at St. Helena School was stunned — and ecstatic — when it was announced they’d be going to the Orlando theme park, courtesy of the Daily News.
But it took a few minutes for the good news to sink in.
Told they’d won this year’s sweepstakes, which awards one class with the dream-come-true adventure every year, the surprised students couldn’t believe it.
“This is a joke?” asked a cautious Jahli Ward, 11, while other classmates laughed and exchanged bewildered looks.
Then they saw the signs declaring them the winners — and it all hit home. The kids erupted in cheers and claps, waving their arms excitedly.
The contest prize is usually awarded to the class that collects the most barcodes from News covers, but teacher Faviola Soto revealed she’d gathered all the codes herself. “I did it for them,” she said.
“They are a great class. They performed very well all school year and they deserve it,” Soto said.
St. Helena principal Richard Meller suggested the students thank Soto, and as the delighted kids surrounded their teacher, they chanted: “Sixth grade! Sixth grade!”
“We’ve never been anywhere far away!” gushed Shayla Porter, 12.
Gabriel Ramos, 11, already has his big plans laid out. “I want to go on the roller coasters,” he said. “And maybe, just maybe, I’ll go on a water slide.” Told it would be hot in Florida in August, he added, “Maybe I’ll see someone who’s selling ice cream.”
Andrea Belotto, 11, has one destination in mind. “I’m excited to go to Harry Potter Land,” she said, noting she’d read the first three books and seen the first movie.