FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BOISE, Idaho – The Idaho Lottery is finding out what makes someone a school hero. They could be a teacher, an administrator, a food service manager, or a bus driver. Whomever it is, oftentimes the results of their efforts are profound, and the difference-makers are often the unsung heroes of the school.

This winter, the Idaho Lottery is recognizing twenty School Heroes across Idaho as part of their Sweethearts Scratch Game campaign to “Share the Love”. The first School Hero to be recognized is Kim Brown, a 5th grade teacher at Lakevue Elementary School in Nampa.

Kim was nominated by one of the parents at her school, Stephanie Calderon. According to Stephanie, two years ago, Kim recognized a student needed help that other teachers had disregarded as behavior problems. Once Kim became involved, the parents realized their son is autistic and has ADD – two conditions that had gone undiagnosed. Through Kim’s intervention, he is now getting the help he needs to be a successful student.

But it is more than just the one student that stands out. Kim attends current and past students’ sports and band performances outside of school time and continually cares for the students in her classroom.

“Never have I met a teacher who truly looks out for her students (past and current) the way she does,” said Stephanie.

That’s why Kim was the first School Hero award winner from the Idaho Lottery. During an assembly with 143 cheering 5th grade students at Lakevue Elementary, Kim received a $250 VISA gift card and other Sweethearts related items. Kirk Vashaw, CEO for Spangler Candy, maker of Sweethearts in Bryan, Ohio, made a special visit to Idaho just for the surprise school presentation and to recognize Kim’s contribution to her school and students.

“We are pleased to partner with the Idaho Lottery and their commitment to support schools in Idaho,” said Kirk Vashaw, CEO of Spangler Candy, maker of Sweethearts. “Community partnership is good business and supporting education benefits everyone.”

“The Idaho Lottery was created to benefit public schools,” said Jeff Anderson, Idaho Lottery Director. “Our School Heroes program this month is one more way we Do Good for the schools and the people who run them every day.”

In addition to Kim Brown, the Idaho Lottery also recognized Lakevue Principal Ken Pahlas who was nominated by parent and school volunteer Mindy Ackerman.

If someone would like to nominate their “School Hero”, they have until February 10 to submit their nomination at: https://www.idaholottery.com/g...

###

ABOUT THE IDAHO LOTTERY

The Idaho Lottery responsibly provides a variety of entertaining games featuring Powerball, Mega Millions, Scratch GamesTM, and PullTabs with a high degree of integrity to maximize the dividend for Idaho public schools and the permanent building fund. Since their inception in 1989, the Idaho Lottery has sold over $5 billion in products, awarded more than $3.1 billion in prizes to players, returned $293 million in retail commissions, and distributed $1.1 billion in Lottery dividends to Idaho public schools and buildings. To learn more, please visit www.idaholottery.com.