Harney Elementary Students Rev Their Engines For The Annual Kindy 500

The students of Harney Elementary rev their engines in preparation for the Kindy 500.
– Photos courtesy of LCSC

The students of Harney Elementary in Lebanon raced around the school today as they participated in the annual Kindy 500 in preparation for the Indy 500 on May 26.

Every year, all classes of Harney Elementary gather to see the Kindergarten classes compete in the Kindy 500, a race around a short course at the school while adorned with homemade replicas of different cars as if they were participants in the Indy 500. Students gather around the course to cheer on their friends as they race to the finish in an attempt to achieve a top-three finish for a trophy.

This year, the students flexed their creativity when crafting their cars, adorning box-cars with references to popular racing movies, superheroes, cartoons and more. Other students elect to maintain the IndyCar theme by creating standard racecars, trucks and automobiles adorned with various patterns and color schemes.

The winner of the 2024 Kindy 500.

“We’re always blown away by the creativity that goes into making these awesome cars and the sportsmanship shown from our students,” Lebanon Community School Corporation released. “We just love hearing the upper classman cheer for the Kindergarteners.”

As the three top finishers approached the finish line and secured their position on the podium, the cheers and screams of encouragement were palpable on the course at Harney Elementary.

“Congratulations to our winners, and thank you to all of our participants,” the corporation released. “This is truly an event we look forward to every year, and we know it is something our students will remember forever.”

Prior to the race, the students of the Kindergarten classes lined up and stood for the National Anthem as a nod toward the ceremonies conducted at the Indy 500, and the first-place finisher was awarded a floral wreath to commemorate his victory on the racetrack.

The top three finishers of the 2024 Kindy 500.