It began the way the best stories often do — with a simple nomination.
Someone took the time to say: “Look at what she's doing. Look at the light she's bringing.”
Today, that nomination has propelled Jennifer Medina, a beloved teacher at Hubbard Heights Elementary School in Fort Worth, into the national spotlight. She's been named one of 20 finalists in the Tropical Smoothie Cafe Sunshine for Teachers contest, a celebration of educators who turn ordinary days into something unforgettable.
Chosen from thousands of nominations submitted across the country, Medina now has a chance to win the grand prize: a $10,000 summer getaway and free smoothies for a year. Even more importantly, her story reminds us why teachers are often the true architects of hope.
Jennifer Medina, Hubbard Heights Elementary School, Fort Worth, TX
Voting is open to the public through midnight ET on May 9 at SunshineforTeachers.com. Every vote is a small way to say thank you — not just to Medina, but to all the educators who turn classrooms into places of possibility.
“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. “The accomplishments of the teachers, administrators, and support personnel — and the love and support from their communities — were evident in every nomination.”
If Medina wins, she won't just celebrate with a summer trip — her school will receive a $1,000 donation and a smoothie party, spreading the sunshine even further into the halls of Hubbard Heights.
The contest, powered by Campus Multimedia, is about more than prizes — it’s about honoring the heartbeat of a community. “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.”
Sometimes, sunshine comes not from the sky, but from a single person who shows up every day with open hands and an open heart.
At Hubbard Heights Elementary, that person is Jennifer Medina.
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
