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Doherty Enterprises-owned New Jersey Applebee’s restaurants launch 9th annual ‘Above and ‘BEE’yond Teacher Essay Contest’

NEW JERSEY – Doherty Enterprises-owned Applebee’s® Neighborhood Grill & Bar locations in New Jersey are excited to announce the start of their 9th annual “Above and ‘BEE’yond Teacher Essay Contest.”

Designed to celebrate exceptional educators in the community, the contest invites students to nominate a teacher who has made a significant impact on their education through a heartfelt essay. Winning teachers will receive a $500 check to enhance their classrooms and enjoy a special end-of-year celebration with their class at their local Doherty-owned Applebee’s.

The essay contest is now open at participating Doherty Enterprises-owned Applebee’s® restaurants in New Jersey. Students in elementary, middle, and high school can participate by submitting an essay in person at their nearest New Jersey Doherty-owned Applebee’s, sharing why their chosen teacher deserves the title of Doherty’s Applebee’s “Teacher of the Year.”

Entries must come from students who attend school in the following NJ counties only:

  • Passaic, Bergen, Hudson, Sussex, Essex, Morris, Warren, Hunterdon, Somerset, Union, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean

At the conclusion of the judging process this spring, eight exceptional teachers from New Jersey will each receive a $500 sponsorship check to support their classrooms for the 2025-2026 school year. These educators will also have the opportunity to host a celebratory party for their current students. A total of eight teachers will be selected from across the state. Note that essay submissions from the 2024-2025 school year will also be included in this year’s voting. If end-of-year parties are not feasible, class parties will be replaced with two Dinner for Four certificates.

Elementary school students are asked to write a ½ page essay, while middle and high school students are required to submit a 500-word essay explaining why their teacher is most deserving of this honor. As a bonus, all students who enter will receive a free ice cream certificate to enjoy on a future visit.

Each student is allowed one essay submission, which will be accepted at participating Applebee’s restaurants from now until Sunday, March 16, 2024, with a firm deadline of 10:00 p.m. ET. Winners will be announced on Friday, April 18, and the class celebrations will take place in June. If circumstances prevent the parties, they will be replaced with two Free-Dinner-for-Four certificates for the student who wrote the winning essay.

“We are delighted to launch our ninth annual ‘Above and ‘BEE’yond Teacher Essay Contest’ at our New Jersey Applebee’s locations,” said Kevin Coughlin, Director of Operations for Doherty Enterprises. “It’s a privilege to honor the dedication and hard work of local educators who inspire and guide their students every day. Providing students with the chance to express their gratitude and shine a spotlight on these outstanding teachers is incredibly fulfilling.”

The Applebee’s Above and “BEE”yond Teacher Essay Contest warmly welcomes submissions at the following NJ Applebee’s® locations, all owned and operated by Doherty Enterprises:

  • Brick
  • Bridgewater
  • Butler
  • Clark
  • Clifton
  • Edison
  • Garfield
  • Hackensack
  • Hackettstown
  • Hillsborough
  • Howell
  • Jersey City
  • Jersey Gardens
  • Kearny
  • Lacey
  • Linden
  • Manahawkin
  • Manalapan
  • Manchester
  • Middletown
  • Milltown
  • Olive
  • Newark
  • Newton
  • North Bergen
  • Ocean
  • Paramus
  • Parsippany
  • Phillipsburg
  • Piscataway
  • Rockaway
  • Tinton Falls
  • Totowa
  • Union

Jay Edwards

Born and raised in Northwest NJ, Jay has a degree in Communications and has had a life-long interest in local radio and various styles of music. Jay has held numerous jobs over the years such as stunt car driver, bartender, voice-over artist, traffic reporter (award winning), NY Yankee maintenance crewmember and peanut farm worker. His hobbies include mountain climbing, snowmobiling, cooking, performing stand-up comedy and he is an avid squirrel watcher. Jay has been a guest on America’s Morning Headquarters,program on The Weather Channel, and was interviewed by Sam Champion.

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