Vote Now for Your Favorite Teacher in the Tropical Smoothie Cafe® Sunshine for Teachers Contest

20 Finalists Named - Over $100k in Prizes, Public Encouraged to Vote

Today, Tropical Smoothie Cafe^® has announced the 20 inspiring educators who are now finalists vying for the grand prize in the brand’s Sunshine for Teachers contest. Selected from thousands of nominations submitted by consumers nationwide, these finalists are being recognized and rewarded for spreading sunshine in their classroom and community. In May, one grand prize winner will receive a summer getaway worth up to $10,000 and free smoothies for a year.

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Today, Tropical Smoothie Cafe® has announced the 20 inspiring educators who are now finalists vying for the grand prize in the brand’s Sunshine for Teachers contest. Selected from thousands of nominations submitted by individuals nationwide, these finalists are being recognized and rewarded for spreading sunshine in their classroom and community. Parents, teachers, families and the community can now vote for their favorites who are “Spreading Sunshine” in Tropical Smoothie Cafe communities nationwide. Cast your vote by midnight ET on May 9, 2025 at www.SunshineforTeachers.com. One Grand Prize winner receives a $10,000 summer getaway and free smoothies for a year, and their school wins $1,000 and a schoolwide smoothie party.

The finalists and their schools are:

• Angelica Abbey, Frye Elementary School, Chandler, AZ
• Greg Armstrong, Friendship Christian School, Lebanon, TN
• Jasmine Beasley, Lilburn Elementary School, Lilburn, GA
• Terri Bean, Loveland Elementary School, Loveland, OH
• Amy Fitzsimmons, Smith Elementary School, Plymouth, MI
• Samantha Hamilton, Rowlett Academy, Bradenton, FL
• Rose Hammel, Fairless Middle School, Navarre, OH
• Marianne Jordan, Rigdon Road Elementary, Columbus, GA
• Bethany Klisavage, Moon Area High School, Coraopolis, PA
• Danny Kloosterman, Greeneview High School, Jamestown, OH
• Jennifer Medina, Hubbard Heights Elementary School, Fort Worth, TX
• Kisha McKee, Levey Middle School, Southfield, MI
• Graham Pitts, Charlesmont Elementary School, Dundalk, MD
• Kimberly Saunders, Percy Julian High School, Chicago, IL
• Nicole Spage, Rock Ridge High School, Ashburn, VA
• Crystal Valls, Seneca Middle School, Macomb, MI
• Jim Vanvalkenburgh, Langston Charter Middle School, Greenville, SC
• Kathleen Vogel, Crossroads Middle School, Grand Rapids, MI
• Ben Wilkins, Treadwell Elementary, Memphis, TN
• Karigan Wilson, Rich Pond Elementary, Bowling Green, KY

Parents, teachers, families and smoothie fans across the country can now vote for their favorite teacher who is “spreading sunshine” in their local community. View finalist profiles and cast your vote by midnight ET on May 9, 2025 at www.SunshineforTeachers.com.

After the voting period ends on May 9, one grand prize winner and 19 first prize winners will be named and win the following prizes:

• Grand prize winner will receive a $10,000 summer getaway and free smoothies for a year.

• First prize winners will each receive a $1,000 cash award and free smoothies for a year.

• All winners’ schools will receive a $1,000 donation and a smoothie party.

• Plus, the individuals who originally nominated all winners will receive free smoothies for a year.

“We received an overwhelming number of responses to our Sunshine for Teachers contest, which has been a rewarding way for Tropical Smoothie Cafe to recognize educators,” said Deborah von Kutzleben, Chief Marketing Officer at Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC. “We are proud to celebrate the educators in the communities surrounding the 1,500+ Tropical Smoothie Cafe locations across the country. The accomplishments of the teachers, administrators, and support personnel and the love and support from their communities were evident in every nomination.”

The grand prize winner will be notified approximately 5 business days after the public voting period ends during a school celebration the week of May 12. All prizes are subject to the terms and conditions described in the Official Rules.

This program is in collaboration with Campus Multimedia, a school communication and marketing company that administers such programs on behalf of national brands. “Campus Multimedia is honored to work with Tropical Smoothie Cafe on the Sunshine for Teachers contest,” said Karl Mawhinney, CEO and Founder of Campus Multimedia. “Sunshine for Teachers is a meaningful initiative dedicated to recognizing educators and supporting their work, schools and communities.”

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. THIS IS A SKILL BASED CONTEST. Void where prohibited. To vote, individual must be 13+ and a legal resident of the 50 U.S. or DC. Votes must be received by 5/9/25. Total ARV of all prizes to be awarded: $109,900. For Official Rules & complete details, visit sunshineforteachers.com. Administrator: Campus Multimedia. Sponsor: Tropical Smoothie Café, LLC.

About Tropical Smoothie Cafe^®

Tropical Smoothie Cafe is a national fast-casual restaurant brand built on a mission to Inspire Better^®, a commitment that starts with our better-for-you food and smoothies and extends to inspiring better in the communities we serve. Born on a beach in 1997, today Tropical Smoothie Cafe has more than 1,500 locations in 44 states. For the fourth year in a row, the brand was ranked #1 in the Smoothie/Juice Category by Entrepreneur Franchisee 500. For 12 consecutive years, the brand has received the Franchise Times Fast and Serious award, and in 2024 the brand's FUND Score was 905, one of the top scores for franchise concepts analyzed by FRANdata.

About Campus Multimedia

Campus Multimedia is the nation’s leader in brand activation for K-12 schools. By connecting our network of over 84,000 schools with aligned brands, we provide resources, recognition, and revenue to strengthen school communities. Our turnkey programs empower schools while helping brands create authentic local connections that drive engagement and lifelong loyalty. Learn more at campusmultimedia.com.

Connect with CM on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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