YORKTOWN– Allie Beatley took a chance and played the artwork lottery a few months ago and earlier this month, she hit the jackpot.
Beatley, a student at Grafton Middle School, entered Virginia Lottery’s annual Thank a Teacher art contest. The contest has students from across the commonwealth create art that will be displayed on thank you notes delivered to teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week in May. There are annually three winners; one from elementary school, one from middle school, and one from high school.
Beatley won the middle school division this year and took home a $200 gift card and $2000 for the Grafton Middle School art department.
Thank a Teacher is a statewide campaign organized by the Virginia Lottery in partnership with The Supply Room, IGT, and NeoPollard Interactive. Over the years, Virginians have sent more than 200,000 thank-you notes through this campaign and have awarded twelve fabulous Virginia-themed trips to deserving teachers.
“Teachers are at the heart of the Lottery’s role to support K-12 public education in Virignia, and we love the opportunity to celebrate all their hard work through the Thank a Teacher campaign,” said Virginia Lottery Executive Director Kelly Gee. “It is an extra-special touch to display such meaningful art on these thank-you notes. We are excited to once again recognize three of Virginia’s own talented public school artists with this award!”
Beatley was surprised at school on Mar. 15 by representatives from the Virginia Lottery, classmates, friends, and family. As she entered the auditorium, she was greeted with cheers, applause, balloons, and streamers.
For Beatley, she loves her teachers and wanted to honor them in a special way.
“I was really inspired because my teachers do so much for me. They are my heroes.”
