A Bogue Chitto teacher was surprised with $1,000 worth of school supplies and a $100 gift card to Fred’s Pharmacy on Friday as part of the store’s “Best in Class” national campaign.

Allison Nippe walked into her classroom Friday afternoon to find a Fred’s representatives there to congratulate her and present the prizes. During the contest, which ran from June 14 to Sept. 6, teachers were invited to share ideas on how to decorate classrooms. They were encouraged to post photos of their classrooms on Facebook, and voters were allowed to choose the most creatively decorated rooms.

“We’re here the majority of the time, so we might as well enjoy our surroundings, and it be inviting and fun,” Nippe said.

Nippe’s bright and cheery classroom received 5,062 votes. The contest attracted nearly 12,000 entries from voters in eight states. Nippe said she was very surprised and is very appreciative. She said decorating her classroom is “definitely” one of her favorite things about teaching and one of the most fun as well.

Paper pom-poms hang from the ceiling, lava lamps mellow out the pencil-sharpening station and her door is covered in paper fortune cookies with her student’s names, reading “I am FORTUNATE to have you in my class.” Nippe uses a lot of color to brighten up the standard, fluorescent-lit and utilitarian style that is characteristic of almost every classroom.

The 2015 campaign marked the first-ever “Best In Class” campaign, and the resulting customer engagement was impressive, said a Fred’s spokesperson.

“We were overwhelmed by the number of people voting for their favorite teachers, and we’re happy to see such support for educational leaders in our communities,” said Victoria Smith with Fred’s Pharmacy. “We’re committed to helping improve education, and this is one way we’re able to give back to the communities we serve.”

Fred’s Pharmacy is a convenient shopping destination with a wide variety of services and products, including immunizations, health care items, prescription and over-the-counter medications, home décor, cleaning supplies, pet supplies, party supplies, and grocery items.