SALT LAKE CITY (December 13, 2013)– CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE: CTL) and the Utah Jazz today announced Two Rivers High School teacher Ray Franklin as the December winner of the 2013-14 CenturyLink All-Star Teacher Award program. The program recognizes and rewards five outstanding Utah K-12 educators and underscores CenturyLink and the Utah Jazz’s shared commitment to education and community outreach.
Franklin will be honored during the Utah Jazz home game at EnergySolutions Arena on Saturday, Dec. 14. To thank him for his ongoing dedication to the betterment of Utah youth, CenturyLink and the Utah Jazz will donate $1,000 on his behalf to Two Rivers High School’s general fund.
Ray Franklin has dedicated his life to assisting his students both inside and outside of the classroom. As a direct result of his commitment and positive attitude, Franklin has helped several struggling students get back on the right track and graduate from high school. He works tirelessly to instill a love of learning in all of his students while emphasizing the importance of education.
CenturyLink and the Utah Jazz are selecting one teacher each month through March 2014 as a CenturyLink All-Star Teacher. Nominees are evaluated on their excellence in teaching and inspiring students to succeed. Each monthly winner will receive a $1,000 cash prize for his or her school’s general fund, four tickets for an upcoming Jazz game and an on-court award presentation during halftime. The person who nominated the winning teacher will also receive two tickets to a Jazz game.
Additionally, a grand prize winner, selected from the five monthly winners, will be awarded a $5,000 cash prize for his or her school’s general fund, a catered suite for 12 and an on-court award presentation during an upcoming Jazz game, as well as a pep rally for the school featuring Jazz Bear and the America First Jazz Dancers.
Future award presentations will be made at Jazz games on Jan. 13, Feb. 22, March 22 and Apr. 11.
CenturyLink’s All-Star Teacher Award program is open to the entire state, and anyone 13 years or older can nominate a teacher by writing and submitting an essay detailing why their nominee deserves to win: www.utahjazz.com/centurylink. Self-nominations are not allowed.