MASON CITY — The morning air at Harding Elementary was filled with high-flying stunts and infectious energy as the Bully Free BMX USA team rolled onto campus to deliver a powerful message of character and community. The event combined gravity-defying tricks with life lessons, educating students on the fundamentals of BMX riding while illustrating what it means to be a respectful and responsible member of the community. Between the jaw-dropping backflips and tailwhips, the playground was a scene of pure joy, filled with laughter, singing, and students loudly cheering each other on.
The core of the presentation focused on personal empowerment and the importance of chasing one’s dreams despite obstacles. The professional athletes used their “instant celebrity” status to build a deep rapport with the children, sharing personal stories about resilience and the importance of kindness. By the end of the assembly, students weren’t just excited about the extreme sports; they were motivated to take a stand against bullying and support their peers in creating a positive school culture.
Bully Free BMX USA is one of the nation’s most-booked motivational stunt teams, consisting of world-class pro athletes who travel across the country to inspire young people. Their mission is simple but profound: to use high-action BMX as a tool to connect with students on topics like respect, confidence, and bullying prevention. Every rider on the team has faced their own challenges—often being told they “weren’t good enough”—and they now use their platform to show students that hard work and a positive attitude can lead to extraordinary results.
The host of the morning’s excitement, Harding Elementary School, is a central part of the Mason City Community School District. Serving nearly 400 students from preschool through fourth grade, the school is dedicated to providing a safe, welcoming, and high-level learning environment for every child. Events like the BMX visit align with the school’s commitment to meeting the social and emotional needs of its diverse student body while fostering a strong partnership with families and the broader Mason City community. It was, by all accounts, an absolute blast for the students and staff alike.
This morning of celebration comes at a significant time for the neighborhood landmark. The current Harding Elementary building, which opened its doors in 2000, stands as a relatively modern addition to the community. It was built to replace the original Harding school that was situated nearby—on the site of what is now the school’s parking lot—before it was torn down in 1999.
As the district looks toward the future, another major transition is on the horizon. Starting with the 2026-2027 school year, Harding is set to close as a traditional elementary school and be repurposed. Under a district-wide reconfiguration plan, the building will reopen as a hub for the Mason City Alternative School and the Pinecrest Center. While teachers and students will relocate to the district’s other elementary schools, the Harding building will continue to serve local families by providing specialized learning environments and housing administrative offices.
Despite the upcoming changes, the spirit of the school remains as strong as always. Harding Elementary has long valued its partnership with families and the local community, a bond that was on full display as students cheered each other on during today’s unforgettable blast with the BMX team.
(PHOTOS via MCCSD.)