ST. GEORGE - A local middle and elementary school received a bonus of $400 each Tuesday morning, in addition to the nearly $1,000 each earned through a box top drive, from General Mills representatives for their exceptional participation in the company's education program.
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Rob Stevenson, principal from Little Valley Elementary, and Brian Stevenson, principal from Desert Hills Middle School, have been participating in the program for as long as the schools have been operating. Little Valley has been open for four years and Desert Hills Middle has been open for two years.

Box tops for education started in 1996. It's a program designed to help schools K-8 earn money by having students bring in the tops of boxes from participating products. The more box tops students bring in, the more points the school receives. In the end, the points turn into dollar signs for those who collect the most points.

Harmon's grocery store is a supporter and participant in this program in that it carries the products students need to buy to turn in to earn points.

"This has been a great program across the country," Don Fisher, a retail sales representative for General Mills, said. "Participation is good in this area (St. George) especially with PTA in elementary schools pushing it."

Rob Stevenson said his school participates because it's a way to bring in additional funds.

"The money will go toward additional level-reading books," he said.

Fisher awarded the two principals their money at Harmon's along with an extra $400 for their exceptional participation.

"We just expected to come here and take a picture, this is great," Rob Stevenson said.

Brian Stevenson said this year the students in the middle school really came together to earn the points.

"With the student council and home room competitions, the whole school came together to help the school," he said.

Rob Stevenson said even his students at the elementary school understand turning in box tops helps the school.

Both principals were very appreciative for the award but also the surprise bonus.

"I wish it (award money) was more but we do thousands of schools over the country," Fisher said.

Lyman Owens, grocery manager at Harmon's, said the store is proud to be a part of box tops for education.

"We work with General Mills, run ads with them and we donate box tops to schools we adopt," he said. "We enjoy it because it's nice to get the sales, but it's nice to help the schools."