Wonderful Halos Celebrates Back-to-School With National Contest to Support Teachers

LOS ANGELES, CA - This back-to-school season, Wonderful Halos celebrated the everyday heroes who make a lasting impact on students’ lives through a nationwide contest to help fund classrooms and support educators.

According to the National Education Association, more than 90% of educators buy their own classroom supplies, and inflation has driven those costs up nearly 24%. Wonderful Halos stepped in to ease the financial burden of the new school year, awarding one grand prize $10,000 cash winner, and five second-prize winners, who received $1,500 Amazon e-gift cards, to help benefit their schools.

After a tremendous response and hundreds of nominations from coast to coast sharing heroic stories of how teachers are making a difference in students’ lives every day, Mrs. Bradshaw from Mulcahey Elementary School in Taunton, MA was named Wonderful Halos’ Sweetest Teacher. From housing insecurity to generational trauma, custody battles, and substance abuse, Mrs. Bradshaw understands the complex realities many of her students face and how these challenges show up in the classroom.

Five incredible honorees, who received a $1,500 Amazon eGift card, were recognized as our second-prize winners for their sweet contributions to their schools:

• Mrs. Hornberger of Middleburg Elementary School in Middleburg, PA, creates a welcoming, inclusive classroom, even keeping a Halloween costume bin on hand to ensure no child ever feels left out.
• Chef Anthony of Indian Trails Middle School in Winter Springs, FL, leads the school’s culinary program, where students gain confidence, explore creativity, and develop a love for healthy eating.
• Mrs. Miller of Carroll High School in Southlake, TX, is a compassionate listener who works tirelessly to prepare her students for success in higher education – while remaining their mentor long after they graduate.
• Mrs. Reily of Swiftwater Elementary School in Swiftwater, PA, brings more than ten years of special education experience, celebrating each student’s victories, big or small, and offering a classroom where every child feels safe, understood, and valued.
• Mrs. Suehiro of Jefferson Elementary School in Fresno, CA, has inspired thousands of students in a low-income community to dream big and grow into accomplished adults.

Contest Details

Nomination Eligibility:

A current Teacher at a public or private school located in the fifty (50) United States or the District of Columbia (excluding Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam) that educates children between the grades of Pre-K through 12 (a “Nominee”). For the purposes of this Contest, a Teacher was defined as a professional educator who works with students as a whole class in a classroom at a public or private school. This does not include student teachers, teachers’ aides, administration, nurses, guidance counselors and paraprofessionals. Subject-specialty teachers, including science, music, arts, etc. are eligible for participation.

• Criteria:
  • Nominators had to visit www.halosfun.com/sweetestteachercontest to access the Contest entry form, enter their information as the Nominator, enter the Nominee’s information, and include a brief statement (350 words or fewer) explaining how the prize would benefit their classroom.
  • Entries were evaluated based on the nominee’s impact, classroom needs, emotional resonance, and originality.