MEET THE 2025 KLEENEX® HEROES OF THE CLASSROOM

Grand Prize Winner

Melanie Hammericksen

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Lincoln High School

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Melanie Hammericksen - Lincoln High School -

Watch the Story of Our 2025 Hero of the Classroom


Kleenex is giving back to schools and recognizing teachers for their life-changing impact!

In a nationwide competition with over $50k in total prizes, teachers were nominated by staff, parents, and former students as Kleenex searched for deserving teachers to reward - and one to celebrate as the grand prize winner.

Strong. Impactful. Worth Celebrating.

Meet Melanie Hammericksen

Chef Melanie Hammericksen is more than a Culinary Arts teacher — she is a lifeline of care, strength, and inspiration for her students and community. She not only teaches hundreds of students essential culinary skills and helps them earn certifications, but also models compassion by feeding families in need, supporting athletic teams, and mentoring students through life’s challenges. Her classroom is a sanctuary where fear becomes fearlessness, mistakes become lessons, and food becomes love. Students leave not only knowing how to cook, but knowing they matter — carrying her lessons of resilience, generosity, and confidence long after graduation.

“She is the teacher students need. She models care and concern for everyone in our school community.””

  • - Peyton Chapman, Principal of Lincoln High School

All media and press can reach out using the information below :

For Kleenex/Campus Multimedia:
Jennifer Harrison
+1 916-716-0636
jennifer@pandopublicrelations.com

For Lincoln High School:
Andrea Mayer
Portland Public Schools
amayer@pps.net

Congratulations to All the Heroes of the Classroom Finalists!

Thank you to every teacher for the role you play in students’ lives and a big applause to all of our finalists who earned this honor out of all the nominations across the country! Kleenex celebrates your strength and impact.

Josh Beeman
Billings Senior High, MT

Ty Boyland
Crosstown High, TN

Robert Esposito
Cooperative Arts & Humanities Magnet High, CT

Melanie Hammericksen
Lincoln High, OR

Marie Humphrey
Odyssey Charter, DE

Marianne Leon
Odyssey STEM Academy, CA

Erin McFarland
George McGovern Middle, SD

Briley Saunders
Cabot Middle School North, AR

Allie Szczecinski
Crow Island Elementary, IL

Dawnell Ticarich
Fielding Elementary, UT


KLEENEX + COSTCO ARE THRILLED TO REWARD TEACHERS

A Nomination Contest To Recognize Impactful Teachers

In May 2025, Kleenex and Costco opened nominations to recognize impactful teachers. In August 10 teachers, 10 schools, and 10 nominators were selected based on the nominations for teachers that:

  • Made others feel strong.

  • Made a lasting change on students.

  • Are worth celebrating!

A public vote launched in August that allowed people nationwide to vote for the teacher they felt most deserving of the title of 2025 Kleenex Heroes of the Classroom Grand Prize Winner.