Norwegian Cruise Line awarded cruises to 30 educators as well as thousands of dollars to their schools as part of its Giving Joy campaign as the Joy arrived in North America. The program was an effort to reward teachers who inspire students and bring joy into the classroom, the company said.
The month-long campaign, which recognized the powerful connection between travel and education, launched in advance of the Norwegian Joy’s North American inaugural sailing during Teacher Appreciation Week (May 6-10, 2019).
The 30 teachers with the most votes won a seven-day cruise for two and were provided with airfare and accommodations for an award ceremony in Seattle on May 3, 2019.
There, at the event hosted by Norwegian Cruise Line President and CEO Andy Stuart and nationally syndicated radio personality Elvis Duran, the three grand prize finalists were awarded with $25,000, $15,000 and $10,000 for their schools.
The grand prize winners are:
– Nicole Conlisk from One World Middle School in Bronx, N.Y. ($25,000)
– Jason Seaman from Noblesville West Middle School in Noblesville, Ind. ($15,000)
– Ashley Kuzma from McDowell Intermediate High School in Erie, Penn. ($10,000)
Conlisk was surprised with additional prize money for her school thanks to Norwegian Cruise Line partners and others who were moved by her story and the Giving Joy campaign. In addition to the $25,000, Conlisk walked away with:
– $15,000 from PepsiCo
– $15,000 from MJM Marine
– $15,000 from Margaritaville
– $10,000 from ExxonMobil
– $5,000 from Scanship
– $5,000 from Samsung
– $5,000 from Wilhelmsen
– $3,000 from Greater Victoria Harbour Authority
– $2,500 from Allen Marine Tours
Education technology company Nearpod and its recently-acquired Flocabulary business offered 30 one-year-long Platinum memberships ($10,470 value) and 30 one-year-long Lite memberships ($3,600 value) respectively to the 30 winners. Nearpod is also extending a three-month Gold membership trial for any teacher, using the code “NP-GivingJoy.”
In addition, the teachers were rewarded with $100 hotel coupon codes ($3,000 value) from Expedia Group; $100 Norwegian Cruise Line gift cards ($3,000 value) courtesy of iHeartMedia for winners to use onboard during their cruise; and $50 gift cards ($1,500 value) from Costco Travel. PepsiCo donated $5,000 towards the “Big Moment of Joy” event and Chateau Ste. Michelle provided the wine for the evening.
“I could not be happier with the tremendous response our Giving Joy campaign has received,” said Stuart. “Through this effort, we were able to raise awareness of the important work teachers do every day and reward truly amazing educators for their meaningful contributions.”
The teachers were invited to join a public pier side celebration at the Port of Seattle’s Bell Street Pier prior to Norwegian Joy’s first sailing from Seattle, Wash. The event featured a performance by Norwegian Joy’s cast of “Footloose;” the live music of Caety Sagoian and band; a dance performance from the Northwest Tap Connection youth program; free Starbucks beverages; and a variety of family-friendly activities including a ‘Wall of Joy,’ which invited attendees to share what brings them joy. To recognize the occasion, the mayor of Seattle also proclaimed the day, May 4, 2019, as the “Day of Joy.”
“I’ve been a part of the cruise industry for over 30 years and I can’t remember a time when we launched a ship with so much joy,” said Stuart. “We have been sailing from Seattle for 20 years – the first cruise line to do so. I am tremendously grateful to the Port of Seattle for our partnership and to Mayor Jenny Durkin for the proclamation of “Seattle Day of Joy!”
