Jonathan Sarisky, 11, a sixth-grader at Livingston's Sleeping Giant Middle School in Montana, received $500 for completing his New Year's resolution -- not drinking soda for a year.
Jonathan accepted the challenge on Christmas of 2013. His mother Renee, stepdad Rick and father Jason offered him $100 as a sure gift but said that they will make it $500 if he stopped drinking sugary beverages for a year.
"We called it the no-pop challenge," Sarisky told the Associated Press.
His older brother Andrew got the same offer but chose to take the $100 instead. After all, it wasn't easy to avoid soft drinks, sports drinks, hot chocolate, fruit juices, milkshakes and flavored waters. Jonathan was only allowed to drink either water or unflavored milk.
Jonathan had his last soda on Jan. 3, 2014 on his brother's birthday. He didn't even brush his teeth that day after drinking Fanta Orange knowing that it would be his last sugary drink.
Renee, Rick and Jason made the challenge seemingly "legal." The Associated Press was able to get a copy of the contract that states:
"For the purposes of this contract, the term 'drink' means to take a liquid into the mouth by means of a cup, bottle, straw or any other such device normally used for drinking. Consuming cereal, soup, and other such liquid foods is considered 'eating,' not drinking.'
"Attempts to circumvent the spirit of this agreement are fraudulent and strictly prohibited.
"This is a zero-tolerance agreement. Therefore, under no circumstances will Child receive a 'second chance.' Child takes full responsibility for honoring and upholding this contract.
His mother thought of the "no-pop" challenge to teach his children self-discipline and to make them realize that doing so will reap rewards later on.
The family announced that Jonathan completed the challenge a few days before Jan. 4 and gave him a big check similar to those seen in TV shows and for lottery winners.
Jonathan told the Associated Press that he would drink soda on Jan. 4 but promised to not overdo it.
