Children enjoy activities, win prizes at last day of school event

SIKESTON — The Sikeston R-6 School District’s regular school year concluded with an early dismissal on Friday, and some children celebrated the milestone where numerous children have gone for the past 15 years on the last day of school: Ms. Rita Savage’s home in Sikeston.

From playing games like basketball, volleyball, tug of war and pool to riding bikes, dancing, hula hooping and hitting a pinata in addition to winning prizes, children kept busy during the four-event which began at 12:07 p.m. Friday.

“It went superb and outstanding,” Savage said. “It seems to grow each year. I believe we had 250-plus children there this year.”

A group of boys who attended the 15th annual “Ms. Rita’s Last Day of School Giveaway” on Alabama Street in Sikeston compete in a game of tug of war Friday in Sikeston.Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat

A group of boys who attended the 15th annual “Ms. Rita’s Last Day of School Giveaway” on Alabama Street in Sikeston compete in a game of tug of war Friday in Sikeston.Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat

This year community individuals also donated money to purchase 35 new bicycles which were given away at Friday’s event.

Sikeston Department of Public Safety’s firetruck, an ambulance and a motorcycle club were on hand, along with members of P.A.C.T. (Police and Community Together). Skyy Jammer Sounds provided music for the occasion.

“I think they just enjoy it all. They can come at liberty and eat all they want to eat,” Savage said.

Family and friends of Rita Savage’s son, Jeromy “JJ” Hunt, who passed away in 2018 and always helped with his mother’s event, released balloons in his memory Friday during Savage’s 15th annual “Ms. Rita’s Last Day of School Giveaway” in Sikeston.Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat

Family and friends of Rita Savage’s son, Jeromy “JJ” Hunt, who passed away in 2018 and always helped with his mother’s event, released balloons in his memory Friday during Savage’s 15th annual “Ms. Rita’s Last Day of School Giveaway” in Sikeston.Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat

This year’s menu included barbecued hot dogs, sausage, hamburgers, brat worst and other sweet treats.

T-shirt, sock, candy and toy giveaways were conducted periodically throughout the day and children would gather around and catch items tossed to them. This year’s theme was “Hawaiian-style” in memory of Savage’s aunt, Estella.

Savage also had a balloon release and lemonade toast in memory of her son Jeromy “JJ” Hunt, who passed away in 2018 and always helped his mother with the event.

For the past 15 years, Savage has opened her home at 204 Alabama St. on the last day of school to provide fun, food and prizes to children in the Sikeston community.

“This is how it came about: One day the Lord spoke to me to do a last day of school giveaway because so many other people do back-to-school events, so I sat on it for a few years and then I decided to do it,” Savage recalled.

Savage and her son, JJ Hunt, organized the first event where she estimated 10 children attended. She said the first event they offered hot dogs, chips, treat bags, drinks and a few activities. The event grew the next year.

“I said yes to the Lord and started doing the last day of school giveaways, and it’s been progressing ever since,” Savage said.

Savage said she pays for some things out of her own pocket, but she also receives donations from the community to put on the event. Other family members and individuals also volunteer to assist with the event.

Retikeo Buchanan attended Friday’s event with her 8-year-old son, Cameron Buchanan. She said she appreciated all the work Savage and others do to put on the event.

“It’s such a heartfelt event,” Buchanan said. “It’s fun for the kids. Ms. Rita is an amazing woman.”

Buchanan said it’s a great way to kick of the summer by celebrating the last day of school.

“I would like to thank the community for coming out to support the Last Day of School Giveaway,” Savage said. “I enjoy doing it and am looking forward to doing it next year on the last day of school.”