By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
A huge majority of Union City Middle School students received a little cash for their pockets on Friday.
Rewarded for their performances on 2024-25 TCAP tests at the end of the 2024-25 school year, 375 students who were enrolled at UC Middle School collectively received nearly $10,000 worth of cash and prizes in a unique incentive-based program.
UCMS Principal Cole McAdams, Vice Principal Allison Kail, and Guidance Counselor Mary Wiggins presided over ceremonies at the Civic Auditorium that saw more than 83 percent of last year’s enrollment recognized for their body of stellar work.
Students received $15 for earning a ‘4,’ $10 for a ‘3,’ and $5 for a ‘2’ or ‘1’ if they improved from their projected performance. With each exam’s success, their names were also added to a random drawing for several prizes, including a PlayStation 5, a hoverboard, a 50-inch Roku television, Beats wireless headphones, a Razor electric scooter, and a Bluetooth Party Speaker.
Thirteen students made all ‘4s’ on the tests and received either $60 or $45 – depending on the number of tests taken. Among those were Kipton Powers, Dexter Graham, Stella Graham, Houston Dean, Molly Dean, Owen Shannon, Shaun Warren, Mia Thompson, Aaron Nipp, Treyce McCadney, Layne Jorge, Lillian Custer, and Zaire Bishop.
Winners in the random prize drawing were:
Clara Custer – Hoverboard
Payton McElrath – Bluetooth Speaker
Madix Turner – Razor Electric Scooter
Stella Graham – Beats Wireless Headphones
Austin Powell – 50-inch Roku TV
Jayceon Courtney – PS5 gaming system
“What a great accomplishment for these students,” McAdams said. “It certainly showed that hard work and preparation pay off, and we were happy to reward them for their efforts and their commitment to do their best.
“I’m equally proud to be a part of a school system that makes reward incentives like this possible. There truly is no better place to be than Union City Schools.”