press release

Symetra and the Seattle Seahawks honored the 16 Puget Sound-area teachers who were recognized as Symetra Heroes in the Classroom® during the 2013 NFL season, at a special celebration at CenturyLink Field on March 14. Among the 2013 honorees was Robin Hicks, an Intermediate Autism instructor for grades 3–5 at Roxhill Elementary School.

Jim Pirak, Symetra SVP, Marketing, and Mike Flood, Seattle Seahawks VP, Community Relations & Special Projects, hosted a luncheon in the Coach’s Loft, welcoming the teachers, their school principals and special guests. Hicks was joined by Roxhill’s principal, Sahnica Washington.

Following lunch, the teachers received an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the stadium, which included taking in a view of the field from the press box. The festivities wrapped up in the Seahawks locker room, where each teacher was surprised with a “customized” locker complete with nameplate. Each teacher’s locker’s contents included a plaque commemorating his or her “Heroes” award and a copy of the March 14 edition of the Seattle Times, which featured a ¼-page ad saluting all 16 Symetra Heroes in the Classroom recipients.

Seahawks Linebacker K.J. Wright was a special guest, joining the teachers and guests in the players’ locker room. Wright, who brought along the Lombardi Trophy, offered some advice for the teachers with students who have designs on becoming NFL or NBA players. “Just tell them, ‘Just make sure you get your degree,’ ” Wright said. “Because, for example, my last semester of college I had the opportunity to leave so I could go train in like Florida or somewhere; or stay and train at my school and get my degree. I chose to stay. I worked out and I got my degree at the same time. You never know what will happen, so get your degree. If you make it to the NFL, that’s just a bonus. But the education that will last you a lifetime.” [Read more about the 2013 Symetra Heroes in the Classroom teachers visit with Wright on the Seattle Seahawks website: From One Hero to a Group of Symetra Heroes.]

About Symetra Heroes in the Classroom®
Since 2006, more than 180 Puget Sound-area teachers have been honored as Symetra Heroes in the Classroom. Teachers are recognized in front of their students and peers at surprise in-school presentations. They receive tickets to a Seahawks home game, where they are acknowledged during on-field presentations at CenturyLink Field. In addition, Symetra makes a $1,000 donation to each teacher Hero’s school for classroom books and supplies. Teachers may be nominated by their principal, district staff, student or student’s parent. The winners are selected based on their ability to make a real difference in students' lives; to go above and beyond in their day-to-day responsibilities; and to help students build life skills.

Hicks was nominated as a Symetra Hero in the Classroom by Kelley Sepavich, the parent of a Roxhill Elementary student. “Over the course of her tenure at Roxhill, Ms. Hicks has done more than teach her students to read, write and do math. She and her aides have taught their students how to get dressed, eat with utensils, sit calmly, walk quietly, and generally how to behave in a world they are continually trying to navigate,” said Sepavich. “Spend one day in Ms. Hicks’ classroom, and you will be in awe! I am continually amazed at her ability to manage it all.”

Hicks was honored during a school assembly on Sept. 11, 2013, and acknowledged during an on-field presentation at the Sept. 15 Seahawks–San Francisco 49ers game.

For more information about the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom program, visit www.SymetraHeroes.com/Seahawks.