01/21/2026
Congrats to 3rd grade Mariah Moreno and her teacher Angela Lopez of Maldonado Elementary School!
Last September, Ms. Lopez’s class was among the many classes to receive a visit from our partners at Environmental Education Exchange, delivering an interactive presentation to 3rd and 4th graders on walking and riding safety. After the visit, students take home a short walking survey and are encouraged to go on a walk
with their families and reflect on the experience together.
Students who returned their completed surveys were entered into a raffle to win a bicycle and helmet—and Mariah was one of the lucky winners! This bike is especially meaningful because it’s her first bike without training wheels. When asked where she was most excited to ride, Mariah didn’t hesitate: “home from school.”
Mariah’s first ride was a family affair. She was joined by her dad and her younger sister, who rode alongside her on a smaller bike. And when Mariah outgrows her new bike, she already has a plan to pass it on to her sister.
Mariah’s new bike was provided by Wheels for Kids, a volunteer-run non-profit organization that collects used bikes, overhauls them, and redistributes them through partner organizations. Thank you WFKs for supporting Tucson kids!
