Shown from left are Assistant Principal Brooke Concannon, Samuel Malesa of Fork Farms, Susan Malesa of Fork Farms, nurse Cinzia Bibb, nurse Jackie McMahon, Gregory Miller of Voya Financial and Principal Julie DeLuca. Courtesy photo

MERRIMACK – Jackie McMahon and Cinzia Bibb, nurses at Thorntons Ferry Elementary School, recently received a surprise donation of $5,000 from Voya Financial to expand its Flex Farm program.

Earlier this year, the school received $2,000 from Voya as part of the company’s Unsung Heroes competition.

In addition to the 50 $2,000 grants to K-12 educators, Voya provides additional awards to the top three innovative educational programs. All the applications received from teachers are evaluated by Scholarship America, Voya’s partner in the Unsung Heroes program.

As the third-place winners, Jackie McMahon and Cinzia Bibb, with support from principal Julie DeLuca and assistant principal Brooke Concannon, received the $5,000 award in a surprise check presentation in addition to the $2,000 they received as one of the 50 national finalists — bringing their total financial award to $7,000. This money will be used to purchase 15 units of FloraPro Grow and 35 CropKing classroom systems.

For 29 years, the Voya Unsung Heroes program has awarded grants to K-12 educators in the United States to recognize and support their innovative teaching methods, creative educational projects, and their ability to positively influence the children they teach. Since the program’s inception, Voya has awarded more than $6 million in support of educators through this nationwide program.

“Today, we proudly celebrate the extraordinary educators–teachers, staff and administrators–whose everyday dedication shapes young minds and fuels dreams,” said Angela Harrell, president of the Voya Foundation. “Through Voya’s Unsung Heroes program and our broader educational initiatives, we’re spotlighting the bold, creative teaching practices that ignite curiosity, inspire learning, and empower the next generation of change agents.”

The team’s innovative teaching idea, “Hawks Harvest: Advancing Hydroponic Education at TFS,” is a hydroponic gardening project that has been embedded in the school’s culture for more than a year with the purchase and donation of several Flex Farm hydroponic systems from Fork Farms. It has provided a hands-on, sustainable learning experience for students at Thorntons Ferry. Fresh produce from the Flex Farms is featured in ‘Try It Tuesdays’, a creative way of encouraging students to explore healthy foods. School nurses lead lessons on hydroponics, gardening, and nutrition, and last year, schoolwide assemblies from Fork Farms deepened student engagement. The school’s Gardening Club, led by third-grade students, collaborates with school nurses to maintain the systems. The Voya grant will help cover some expenses to expand the gardens, increase vegetable variety, and introduce outdoor gardening. The team of educators believes integrating hydroponics with STEAM and the Artist in Residence program fosters hands-on learning, sustainability, and lifelong healthy habits.

“Jackie and Cinzia didn’t just build a hydroponics program for Thorntons Ferry School, they have inspired our young minds to think differently about food, health and the environment,” said Principal Julie DeLuca. “Their work planted seeds that will grow far beyond our school walls. Congratulations to them both for their dedication, creativity and commitment to wellness and growing future innovators and advocates.