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Justin Bieber has a Central Illinois 'epiphany'

By Anna Yee
March 12, 2013 Updated Mar 12, 2013 at 6:44 PM CDT

 NORMAL, Ill. --  Justin Bieber is having a Central Illinois 'epiphany.'

Thanks to some hardworking fans, the mega star will be visiting a local school.

 

Five eighth grade students from Normal are the winners of the Pencils of Promise "Schools 4 All" raffle drawing.

Sarah Thakral, Kelly Harris, McKenna Crouch, and Julia Nelson from Epiphany Catholic School and Christine Travis from Chiddix Junior High raised nearly $22,000 over the past few months, all going towards building schools in third world countries.

For every $25 the girls raised, they were entered for a chance to win a visit from Justin Bieber.

Thanks to their hard work and a little luck, Bieber is expected to make a trip to Epiphany Catholic School in Normal sometime within the year.

 

"Right when we heard 'Epiphany,' we were like, 'Oh my goodness! I can't believe we actually won,'" said Thakral, 14. "We didn't even think we would. It was amazing. We're just still in shock."

"Most kids, when they're our age, they don't think about what other people in other countries don't have, because we have so many blessings," said Harris, 14. "But, when you wake up and know they you've helped hundreds of kids get an education, it's the best feeling in the world."

 

This is the second time the girls have entered the contest. 

In total, they have raised nearly $35,000, more than enough to build a full school, according to Pencils of Promise.

For more information on the contest and organization, visit schools4all.org or pencilsofpromise.org.

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