A local educational nonprofit marked a significant milestone this holiday season by continuing its tradition of rewarding exceptional students with a dream shopping experience.
A Gift For Teaching celebrated the 15th anniversary of its Grant A Wish program, having recognized 42 students since its inception. This year, three more students joined that distinguished list after being nominated by their teachers for demonstrating outstanding leadership, strength, and heart.
Since 1998, the organization has served as the primary source of free school supplies for teachers in Orange and Osceola county public schools. Through their store, online platform and mobile unit, teachers can access essential educational resources donated by community partners. The program has become a vital resource for educators, helping to alleviate the financial strain of purchasing supplies for their students.
This year’s honorees included Zae, a third grader from Pinewood Elementary, and Milan Saint Ville, a seventh grader at Ravenswood Middle School. Milan’s teacher, Julia Finn, nominated him for his remarkable resilience, noting that despite facing recent tragedy, he “has persevered and came to school with a smile on his face.”
The third honoree was Steven Augustine, a junior at Kiva High School, who was recognized for maintaining a positive attitude while his family navigates his younger brother’s cancer diagnosis. His teacher, Shannon Dozier from Orange Technical College, praised Steven as “a great student, great leader, and eager to learn.” Dozier added that Steven plans to pursue a career in the medical field after high school.
“I think it means a lot because he, in his own words, didn’t think he deserved something like this,” Dozier shared. Steven himself described the experience as “something amazing, just out of this world.”
During the celebration, each student received a unique opportunity: a 5-minute shopping spree where they could select anything they wanted from the organization’s store. The event revealed the students’ character, as demonstrated by one participant who focused on selecting gifts for family members rather than themselves, explaining that “family is very important.”
The event was attended by Orange County Public Schools leadership, including Superintendent Dr. Maria Vasquez, outgoing Deputy Superintendent Mike Armbruster and incoming Deputy Superintendent Jose Martinez, highlighting the program’s significance within the local education community.
Jane Thompson, president of A Gift For Teaching, described the selected students as “shining stars,” emphasizing how they stood out among numerous nominations. The celebration, held in the organization’s “winter wonderland” transformed store, was hosted by WKMG News 6 Chief Meteorologist Candace Campos.
For more information about A Gift For Teaching and its programs, visit agiftforteaching.org.