On Oct. 8 David Darden, an automotive technology teacher at Cedar Shoals High School, won $50,000 which will go towards the school’s auto tech program. This year there were over 900 applicants that were competing for the prize and each competitor had to go through three rounds of judging.

Darden is one of the 25 public high school skilled trades teachers across the United States and the only one in the state of Georgia. Darden believes that everyone should have the opportunity to learn regardless of background or experience level. He aims to inspire others to pursue careers in the automotive industry.

Eric Smidt, owner and founder of Harbor Freight Tools started the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence back in 2017. The prize was created to recognize excellent high school skilled trades teachers and, more than $8.9 million has been awarded to over 150 teachers and their schools’ programs.