Flagler Palm Coast's Evana Fretterd is a finalist for $40,000 Classroom Furniture Giveaway contest | Observer Local News

Flagler Palm Coast High School Activities Director Evana Fretterd is one of 12 overall finalists in the KI Furniture Solutions' Classroom Furniture Giveaway contest. Fretterd was selected from over 500 kindergarten to 12th grade teachers nationwide who submitted designs for their dream classrooms.

Four winners — three from geographic regions and one reserved for school libraries — will be awarded $40,000 worth of furniture to make their visions a reality.

The winners will be decided in a public vote. The poll will be open through Sunday, Nov. 17 with the winners to be announced on Wednesday, Nov. 20. Fretterd's classroom is one of three finalists for the award in the Eastern Region.

Fretterd's design is for FPC's Student Government Association classroom. It includes flexible seating with furniture on wheels, more storage, counter tops and new whiteboards.

The other Eastern Regional finalists are a STEM classroom in Homestead, Florida, and a third-grade classroom in Troy, New York.

Fretterd said she heard about the competition from Assistant Principal Stacia Collier who suggested that she submit a proposal. Fretterd said it is an honor to even be considered.

"Honestly, winning this giveaway would be an amazing way to thank the SGA members for all their hard work and dedication to their school and community. They spend so much time working in that room and totally deserve to have this new space," she said.

In a video submission, Frettered said the classroom is where SGA members create murals and banners and plan events that impact the school and the community.

"The new classroom will significantly enhance our ability to organize supplies and provide essential upgrades, such as safer flooring and collaborative display areas," she wrote on the submission form.

The new design, she said, will allow the classroom to be divided into zones for collaboration, quiet study, creative work and presentations.