Pershing Elementary School students Kaylie Withrow and Allison Murphy, both 5, sit together quietly in a corner booth at Culver’s Frozen Custard in St. Joseph. Although the restaurant is warm, the girls are still bundled in their coats.

As other students slide into booths, an adult voice says, “Do you guys want to take your gloves off and your coats off so you can eat?”

While the majority of Pershing’s students are having lunch at the school, about 16 classmates are being treated to a meal at the fast-food restaurant for being named Character Students for October for showing self-control, the trait chosen for that month.

“It provides a little bit of incentive,” Cheryl Thacker, school counselor, says of the meal.

One student is chosen from each class in kindergarten through sixth grade to attend the lunch. Ms. Thacker explains that each class has its own method for determining the student honored. Winners also are honored at a monthly assembly. The school also has a character class, Ms. Thacker says.

Culver’s was the natural choice for the lunch because the restaurant is the school’s business partner. This is the first year that students chosen for demonstrating good character traits are treated to lunch away from the school.

Blonde-headed Kaylie and brunette Alison, along with the rest of the students, are still demonstrating October’s self-control trait in November. All wait patiently for their meal. Kaylie and Allison both ordered the same lunch. It’s their favorite.

“Chicken tenders,” both girls say.

And how did Kaylie and Allison demonstrate self-control and earn the honor of lunch away from school?

“I was showing respect for my teacher,” Kaylie says.

How?

“I was listening,” she says.

And Allison?

“I was being nice to my teacher,” she says.

Both Kaylie and Allison, who became friends when they met in kindergarten, say they like school. Kaylie says she likes science “because we get to do math problems.” Allison says she likes to play.

But self-control can only last so long, especially when there’s chicken tenders. And don’t forget the free ice cream.

“I’m going to get vanilla,” Allison says.

“I’m going to get vanilla, too,” Kaylie adds.

Self-control never tasted so sweet.

Lifestyles reporter Cathy Woolridge can be reached

at cathyw@npgco.com