New Golden Apple Awards Honor Special Teachers In West Alabama

This is probably long overdue, but at least it is here for the 2025/2026 school year.

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We are fortunate to have many outstanding educators in West Alabama who dedicate their time and energy to their students.

This all started because of one man in Tuscaloosa.

His name is Robb Billups, and his family is full of teachers.

Robb is the General Manager for Smith Auto Group of Tuscaloosa, the home of three successful auto dealerships, including Mercedes-Benz of Tuscaloosa.

He came to TownSquare Media Tuscaloosa with the idea of putting the spotlight on education in West Alabama.

That spotlight should also come with some rewards for the hard work that local educators are doing on a daily basis.

Billups wanted to give a teacher a grand prize that had never been offered before in the Tuscaloosa area.

It begins now with families encouraging their students to fill out the nomination form attached below:
CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE A TEACHER
It would be ideal if parents and guardians would encourage the kids to really get involved with these nominations.

We want the students to tell us why their teacher deserves to win a Golden Apple Award.

Each month from September through April 2026, one lucky teacher will receive a Golden Apple award, which comes with a $500 cash card plus dinner for their family at Tuscaloosa’s Texas Roadhouse.

In May, we will have a special opportunity for students and families to vote for the special grand prize-winning Ultimate Golden Apple Award.

That special winner will receive a new Mercedes vehicle to drive for one full year!

That’s right a luxurious Mercedes-Benz for a year courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Of Tuscaloosa.

In addition, the grand prize winner will receive a new laptop computer for their work in education.

An award like this has never been offered before in our area, and we couldn’t find any place in the country where an award like this has been awarded in the past.

It’s all because of one person, Robb Billups, who has a passion for education and educators, because they surround him in his own family.

Nice job, Robb! We are honored to partner with Mercedes-Benz of Tuscaloosa to bring this project to our community.

Let the nominations begin!

Contest Rules

• Nominations for the Golden Apple Award may be submitted by parents, school administrators and/or students.
• Winners must be 21 years of age or older
• All decisions by Townsquare Media and Mercedes-Benz of Tuscaloosa are final.
• In May, at the conclusion of the school year, one teacher will be selected for a one-year lease of a Mercedes-Benz GLC or similar model.  Winner is required to provide approved insurance on the vehicle. Insurance must be approved by Mercedes-Benz of Tuscaloosa and must remain in effect throughout the term of the lease.  All applicable taxes to be paid by the winner.  Winner must be 21 years of age or older and must have a valid Alabama Driver’s license.
• Teachers are eligible in the following counties for the Golden Apple Award:  Tuscaloosa, Greene, Hale, Bibb, Fayette, Pickens, and Sumter counties.
• Townsquare Media, and Mercedes-Benz of Tuscaloosa, and its affiliates are not eligible for this contest.