Horace Mann Announces $25,000 Classroom Makeover Winner and Additional Grant Recipients

SPRINGFIELD, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Horace Mann, the largest multiline financial services company focused on helping America’s educators and others who serve the community achieve lifelong financial success, announced the winners of its 2025 Ready. Set. Inspire. Classroom Makeover Sweepstakes.

Grand Prize Winner

Lotus Elementary School in Spring Grove, Illinois has been awarded a $25,000 classroom makeover and now has the opportunity to outfit a classroom with new furniture and innovative educational materials designed to inspire creativity and support student success.

“This is a big deal for our school,” said Kelly Roland, the Lotus Elementary School teacher who submitted the Ready. Set. Inspire. sweepstakes entry. “I can’t wait to see the plans for our classroom makeover. This is for our whole school and all our students, not just our classroom.”

“We’re proud to recognize Lotus Elementary School as the recipient of our Classroom Makeover Sweepstakes,” said Steve Chauby, Chief Marketing and Distribution Officer at Horace Mann. “This program reflects our commitment to giving back to schools and creating learning environments where educators and students can thrive. By supporting teachers and their classrooms, we’re helping to build stronger communities and inspire lifelong learning.”

Additional Winners

In addition to the grand prize, Horace Mann awarded 20 schools with $1,500 each to be used in creative ways to celebrate and strengthen their school communities, including ice cream trucks for students, appreciation lunches for staff, upgrades to equipment and new classroom materials. In addition, another 50 educators received $250 gift cards each for their back-to-school needs.

Schools that received $1,500 back-to-school celebration grants:

Sandra G., Stockton, CA — Hamilton Elementary School
Brian O., Newhall, CA — Placerita Junior High School
An’drea F., Manchester, CT — Verplanck Elementary School
Gina H., Clay City, IL — Clay City Junior High School
Andrea H., Escanaba, MI — Lemmer Elementary School
Nancy L., Parchment, MI — Parchment High School
Kris O., Princeton, MN — Princeton High School
Parenthia G., Fairmont, NC — Rosenwald Elementary School
Terry M., Gaston, NC — Gaston STEM Leadership Academy
Tashia D., Battle Creek, NE — St. John’s Lutheran School
Angelina D., Santa Fe, NM — Pinon Elementary
Megan F., Pickerington, OH — Ridgeview STEM Junior High School
Laura G., Duncan Falls, OH — Duncan Falls Elementary School
Brenda D., Mustang, OK — Mustang Horizon Intermediate Center
Priscilla C., Lubbock, TX — McWhorter Elementary School
Kara L., Deer Park, TX — San Jacinto Elementary School
Nicole R., Garland, TX — Kimberlin Academy
Breanna S., Richardson, TX — Dartmouth Elementary School
Tami G., Cottonwood Heights, UT — Butler Middle School
Barb S., Vienna, VA — Colvin Run Elementary School

About Horace Mann

Horace Mann Educators Corporation is the largest multiline financial services company focused on helping America's educators and others who serve the community achieve lifelong financial success. The company offers individual and group insurance and financial solutions tailored to the needs of the educator community. Founded by Educators for Educators® in 1945, the company is headquartered in Springfield, Illinois. For more information, visit www.horacemann.com.