PIERCE, Neb. -- On Tuesday students and staff gathered in Pierce Elementary to hear an exciting announcement.

Among hundreds of schools, Pierce Elementary was selected as the winner of the United Healthcare Small Towns Matter giveaway. The event has been put on yearly since 2019 by News Channel Nebraska. The contest expands to schools across the state, where community members nominate their schools for a chance to win. As the winner for 2023, Pierce Elementary will receive $2,500 and the students received a free bike helmet. Elementary Principal Trent Suehl said their win came as a surprise. 

"I was really excited," Suehl said. "I hadn't really heard anything about the winners...it was kind of unexpected but very exciting. I think it's a good way to show appreciation for all the hard work the students have put in this year."

The event was broadcast live on TV Tuesday, where the kids learned about their victory. Thunderous applause was given by those in attendance for each speaker who made the announcement. One such person was Ashley Adam, the director of account management for UHC. She explained why giveaways like Small Towns Matter are important.

"It's important to...have active communities and that starts with our youth," Adam said. "We thought bike helmets are a great opportunity to make sure that these kids have something safe and they're able to stay active this summer."

Kendall Steffensen, the superintendent of schools for Pierce, said the opportunity is all thanks to the community. He said without the area's support Pierce never would have been able to have this opportunity.

"I think it's a very good show of support from our community," Steffensen said. "Our school is only as good as the people who work here and the support of our community that we have. I'd just like to say thank you for the program and the community for their support."

The school is unsure of how to use the money at this time but plans to analyze where it should go in the future. Another Small Towns Matter giveaway is planned for this fall.