Southern Team Subaru and ABC 13 Teamed up to honor exceptional teachers who have made a meaningful impact on their students’ lives. Each month, a deserving educator was celebrated with a surprise party and a $500 gift card bonanza, including a $250 Amazon gift card from ABC 13 and a $250 VISA gift card from Southern Team Subaru. But that’s not all! Throughout the school year, winners were entered to win the ultimate grand prize: a year-long lease on a brand-new 2024 Subaru Forester! Courtesy of Southern Team Subaru.
The grand prize winner, Miss Karnes will cruise into the next school year in style. Her dedication to her students and leadership qualities made her stand out. Miss Karnes’ heartfelt gratitude and joy upon winning the grand prize were truly inspiring. Her selfless commitment to her students and the community has made a lasting difference in the lives of those around her.
Miss Karnes’ nomination letter highlights her leadership, which is on display every day inside and outside of the classroom.
“Miss Karnes gets to know every child on a personal level. She fills in as a substitute on a daily basis to help the school when needed, always willing to help fill in even if that means she has to stay longer after the school day is done to get her work done. She is the head of several committees that work to find ways to help students individually — doing presentations to help teach other teachers how to excel in the classroom. She also helps to beautify her school by heading landscaping weekends. She spends a lot of her own money to help ensure her children and her school have everything they need to succeed.”
She is going to do whatever she has to do,” Principal Spaulding said. “Whether that’s stay late, whether that’s create her own materials, whether that’s finding a program that we haven’t used before but she thinks is going to work with a particular kid. I think she just kind of eats, sleeps, and dreams about teaching and reading in particular. “She’s just a natural leader,” Spaulding said. “And I don’t think she even realizes it. She’s got such a wealth of expertise that she just naturally leads other teachers; teachers that have been doing it for years and also new teachers.”
When she was asked how she was feeling she said, “I am,” Karnes began, trying to gather her thoughts amid the shock. “This is wonderful! This is amazing!” I’m just overwhelmed with joy. I feel humbled by this experience. And just, thank you all for this opportunity.”
Miss Karnes joked afterward that her heartbeat was well over 125 beats per minute during the announcement. She didn’t think she’d be the winner. “I came here alone today because I was not expecting to win a brand-new car,” Karnes said with a laugh. “My Dad pulled up and I was like, ‘Leave! Go, leave! This is embarrassing.”
“I am just so overwhelmed,” Karnes said. “So overwhelmed by all the support and the love. I just appreciate my family, my friends, my community.”
For Miss Karnes, winning this car is especially unique, as she has never owned or even sat in a brand-new car straight from the showroom. Just like the last time we awarded her for her nomination, she said all of this is only possible because of her amazing students and their families.
“Just thank you for giving me the opportunity to have such an important role in your life, to all my students,” Karnes said. “Miss Karnes misses you. Can’t wait for our next school year.”
