One of Queens’ best educators could be the winner of Applebee’s annual Teacher Essay Contest.
For the first time, local Doherty-owned Applebee’s franchises are expanding their essay writing contest to the five boroughs and Westchester County, allowing New York City’s educators to be honored by their students. This year marks the 9th annual contest, which has previously been hosted exclusively in New Jersey and Long Island. Elementary, middle, and high school students are welcome to participate in the contest.
The essay contest launched on Wednesday, Jan. 8, and runs through March 16.
To enter the contest, elementary school students must write a half-page essay and middle and high school students must write a 500-word essay on why their teacher is most deserving. Students who enter an essay will receive a free ice cream certificate for later use. Essays are limited to one per student.
Participating students must submit their essays in person to participating Doherty-owned and operated Applebee’s franchises. In Queens, the participating Applebee’s are in Fresh Meadows (61-48 188th St.) and Elmhurst (90-15 Queens Blvd).
One winner from each borough and Westchester County will be announced on Friday, April 18. The winning educators will receive a $500 sponsorship check to use toward their classroom for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year and an end-of-year party for their current class.
The end-of-year parties will be thrown in June 2025. However, if they are not applicable, the winning essay writer will receive two free dinner-for-four certificates for the winning essay writer.
