HPU Freshmen Work in Teams to Build Bikes for Local Children

High Point University freshmen celebrated their new community by working together inside the Millis gymnasium on Aug. 23 to build 150 bicycles and surprising local children with new bikes to take home. Two freshmen smiled as they helped a girl ride her new bike. 

HIGH POINT, N.C., Aug. 24, 2026 – High Point University freshmen celebrated their new community by working together to build 150 bicycles and then surprising local children with new bikes to take home on Aug. 23.

The new HPU students presented red-and-blue bikes to elementary school children from several local nonprofit organizations: Big Brothers Big Sisters, C3 (Community Collaboration for Children) and the Family Justice Center of High Point.

The children were excited when they saw new bikes waiting for them inside the James H. and Jesse E. Millis Athletic and Convocation Center on HPU’s campus. HPU freshmen helped as the children put on their safety helmets and began riding their bikes inside the Millis gymnasium.

“This project offers our students a meaningful way to give back to the community and get acquainted with their new home at High Point University,” HPU President Nido Qubein said. “It immerses our new students into our culture of service, teamwork, communication and responsiveness.”

This is the eighth year that HPU freshmen have built and surprised local children with new bikes. It is one of many ways that the university supports the local community. HPU students, faculty and staff contribute 500,000 hours of service each year. Those hours translate into an impact of $15 million in the community, according to the United Way’s calculations.

“There is something so special about watching our freshmen begin their HPU journey by giving back,” said Lyndsey Ayers, vice president for university relations. “They are building bikes for local children, working together, making new friends and learning that being part of HPU means being part of the High Point community. What a beautiful way to start their college experience.”

“I thought it was really special seeing the kids walk in, seeing the joy on their faces and seeing them ride their bikes around everywhere,” said Hannah Trouwborst, a freshman nursing major from Schenectady, New York.

Rebecca Trapasso, a freshman elementary education major, said the bike-building exercise promoted connectivity as students worked together in teams. Learning the bikes they built were going to local children made it even more special.

“When they saw the bikes, it’s a simple thing, but to them it’s their whole world,” said Trapasso, who is from Middletown, New Jersey.

Risa Penney, a freshman international business major from Lexington, Virginia, said the event taught her that teamwork is needed to build something substantial.

“I really enjoyed getting to work as a team and introduce myself to a couple of other students that I hadn’t met so far,” Penney said. “I loved giving to local children because I’m from a very small town where a lot of people don’t have a lot, and so helping the community is something I’m used to and I really enjoy.”

Shep Andrews, a freshman public relations major from St. George, Utah, said building bikes for local kids inspired him more to be a servant leader and look out for people around him. It also showed him that collaboration enhances productivity.

Viggo Diaz, a microbiology major from Vestal, New York, described the service project as an exciting opportunity to meet new friends as they worked together to build bikes.

“Working with a group of people you don’t know, taking on a not-so-easy task and getting it done provides a sense of accomplishment,” said Lane Swaim, a business major from Randleman, North Carolina. “Giving back to local children is beautiful. I loved every bit of it. It gives me a sense of accomplishment and purpose, and then when they get here and seeing smiles on their faces is a wow.”