As the school year heads into the second semester, several students at Mt. Hope Elementary School are still in the running to receive a free recliner from Homestead Furniture.

The furniture store has committed to offering any eighth-grader who ends the year with an average of all A’s on their report card through this school year a free La-Z-Boy recliner. Homestead Furniture is located directly across the road from the school.

Dan Troyer, a sales staff member at Homestead Furniture, is heading up the rewards program under the theme “Homestead’s All A’s Challenge.”

“We believe that a student’s education is very important,” Troyer said. “We thought offering this prize of a recliner would be a challenge to strive for all A’s throughout the year.”

“We are really appreciative of this kind of support and encouragement for the students,” said Dan McKey, principal of the school. “Homestead Furniture has been very supporting of the school and this is just one more creative example.”

In addition to the contest, McKey said the store has been helpful to the school financially, provided volunteer reading tutors, and allowed the school’s Christmas program to be held in its manufacturing plant where more people can attend.

Homestead Furniture also donated land to East Holmes Local Schools so the playground at Mt. Hope School could be expanded.

McKey reported that Mt. Hope School has 38 eighth-graders in two classes.

Bruce Hershberger, the eighth-grade language arts teachers at the school, said the results of the chair for grades contest really depends on the students.

“It’s a difficult thing to do,” Hershberger said. “A student has to be well-rounded and consistent to be able achieve this goal.”