East Auburn Community School Principal Michelle Gagne interviews Simon Sweet and Lily Knight on Thursday in Auburn. Sweet, a kindergartner, was chosen to receive a bicycle through the Maine Department of Education Read to Ride program, but Sweet decided that since he received a new bike for his 6th birthday, he would pass along the bicycle to another student. Knight, a third grader, was one of 18 students who participated in the school’s summer reading challenge and her name was drawn to receive the bike. Gagne and Deputy Fire Chief Matt Fifield of the Auburn Fire Department decided Sweet deserved a ride on a firetruck for his pay-it-forward gesture. He will receive his ride after the holiday break. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Deputy Fire Chief Matt Fifield of the Auburn Fire Department presents Simon Sweet with a certificate for a ride on a firetruck Thursday during an assembly at East Auburn Community School in Auburn. The kindergartner was chosen to receive a bicycle through the Maine Department of Education Read to Ride program, but Sweet decided that since he received a new bike for his 6th birthday, he would give it to another student. Fifield and school Principal Michelle Gagne decided that Sweet deserved a ride on a firetruck for his pay-it-forward gesture. Third-grader Lily Knight was one of 18 students who participated in the school’s summer reading challenge and her name was drawn to receive the bike. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal