Elementry Students Get Monster Surprise

Tyler Menninga signed autographs for Oskaloosa 4th grade students on Thursday.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – For some Oskaloosa Elementary students, Thursday’s lunch was a monster of a day for them to remember.

Oskaloosa’s own Tyler Menninga signed autographs and shared his experience of driving one of the most recognizable names in motorsports, Grave Digger.

Grave Digger is celebrating its 35th year as a monster truck in the Monster Jam series.

Menninga encouraged the students to work hard to make their dreams a reality, and that he had dreamed of being a monster truck driver when he was a student at Oskaloosa Elementary.

“You guys can be anything you want,” said Menninga to the group of 4th-grade students. “As long as you work hard and put your mind to it, and you stay dedicated to it, you can do anything you want.

Some of the students said they wanted to be in gymnastics, a monster truck driver, an artist, among other things.

Menninga then shared some video clips of him driving the Grave Digger during competition.

On sharing his dream with the young people at Oskaloosa Elementary, Menninga said, “It’s awesome. I use to be in this elementary school. We came here when the building was new in 2nd grade. It’s awesome to see the kids, and I was in their seat at one time.”

Menninga will be in action this weekend at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids as he pilots Grave Digger for the first time in his home state.

Tickets are available for the three shows, by visiting the following LINK.