Kellyville Academy wins $40,000 in classroom furniture giveaway

By Paris Rain

Kellyville Academy teacher Jennifer Childers won KI's $40,000 national classroom furniture giveaway.

KELLYVILLE, Okla. — A classroom upgrade is on the way for the Kellyville Academy. 

Earlier this month, the school was a finalist for a $40,000 classroom furniture giveaway. 

The school has now won the giveaway. 

The high school students at Kellyville Academy are excited for their new upgrade, but their biggest thanks is to the community and their director. 

"This is a game changer for our program," said Jennifer Childers, Director of Kellyville Academy. 

Childers said this money was a huge need for the students. 

"We will be able to incorporate not only labs — science labs, art labs, life skills — but collaboration amongst our students," said Childers. 

The students said they are grateful for the community's votes because without their help, this would not be a reality. 

The $40,000 will go towards a mock-up. 

"The very first thing that we had to do was create a layout," said Childers. "In doing so, we gathered data among our group and just asked the students 'what do we need?'" 

Childers said the students let their voices be heard in the contest. 

"...Then when we were chosen as a finalist of the top 12, we then had to make a video. Each of our students had a job. They each took part in the process," Childers said. 

Oklahoma Eastern Sales representative for furniture maker KI Jennifer Stickney said they're thrilled to award a school within their region. 

"KI is very much involved with their communities. We love partnering with our local schools and want to do everything we can to give back to them," said Childers. "Being able to have this giveaway nationwide and separate into the regions where we can actually provide for four different classrooms is amazing. 

Now that the school has been announced as the winner, KI said next week they should know when they will start revamping the new classroom.

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