Vote Now for Jim Vanvalkenburgh at Langston Charter Middle School in the Tropical Smoothie Cafe® Sunshine for Teachers Contest - Over $100k in Prizes
Jim Vanvalkenburgh, a Social Studies teacher, is one of 20 finalists who will receive either $1,000 and free smoothies for a year as a First Place winner or, if they win the Grand Prize, a $10k Summer Getaway*.
GREENVILLE, S.C. — April 28, 2025 — Jim Vanvalkenburgh, a Social Studies teacher at Langston Charter Middle School has been selected from thousands of consumer nominations and named a finalist in the Tropical Smoothie Cafe® Sunshine for Teachers contest. As a finalist, they have the opportunity to win the first-place prize—a $1,000 cash award and free smoothies for a year—or the grand prize, which includes a summer getaway worth up to $10,000 and free smoothies for a year. The grand prize winner will be selected through a public vote. Parents, teachers, families and the community who wish to support Jim Vanvalkenburgh can vote for them by midnight ET on May 9, 2025 at www.sunshineforteachers.com.
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. In addition to prizes for the winners, each winner’s school will receive a $1,000 donation and a smoothie party, and the nominators of all winners—grand prize and first prize—will receive free smoothies for a year.
Jim Vanvalkenburgh, teaches Social Studies at Langston Charter Middle School. Known as Mr. Van to his students, he strives to make history come alive through games and role play. For example, his students reenact WWI in a “capture the flag” style game and when studying ancient Egypt, Mr Van dresses up like an Egyptian priest while students go through the process of mummification. Students learn about South Carolina’s most important crop, rice, through sharing favorite dishes from their culture. He also attends all sorts of extra curricular activities, like games and arts events for the school.
His nominator wrote, “Mr. Van creates a positive learning environment where students feel safe, respected and motivated. He believes that every student has the capacity to excel in school.”
To recognize Jim Vanvalkenburgh's achievement, Tropical Smoothie Cafe will celebrate and recognize Jim Vanvalkenburgh the week of May 12 with a school event, where both Jim Vanvalkenburgh and Langston Charter Middle School will be presented checks by Tropical Smoothie Cafe, followed by a smoothie party for the school!
“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.”
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 program,” 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.”
All prizes are subject to the terms and conditions described in the Official Rules.
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.
###
Media Contact:
Jennifer Harrison for Campus Multimedia
jennifer@pandopublicrelations.com
+1 916-716-0636
.jpg "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.")
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.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe has announced Jim Vanvalkenburgh at Langston Charter Middle School as a finalist in the Sunshine for Teachers contest. They were selected from thousands of consumer nominations and parents, teachers, families and the community can now vote for them until 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.