SOQUEL >> Soquel High School welding instructor Laurie Hilderbrand was pleasantly shocked Tuesday morning when she was surprised in her classroom with a giant check for $50,000. Hilderbrand was among 25 winners of the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools prize for teaching excellence.

“I am truly honored and completely blown away by this experience and grateful for this amazing program,” said Hilderbrand moments after being presented with the check. “I can use this money to support my program and get you guys something really cool and state of the art to work with. Some big piece of equipment that we can’t normally afford to buy because our budget is limited. This is for you guys.”

Teachers and staff from Soquel High School and representatives from Harbor Freight filed into the metal shop en masse Tuesday to deliver the surprise check alongside Rep. Jimmy Panetta, who congratulated and commended Hilderbrand for her hard work and dedication.

“I really want to recognize Harbor Freight Tools for doing something that we need to do more of — not just in this community but throughout this country — that is recognize the cornerstone of our education system, and that’s our teachers,” said Panetta. “Congratulations to the students and Soquel High. Thank you Harbor Freight and most importantly, Laurie, way to go.”The Tools for Schools contest awards five grand prize winners with $100,000 each and 20 prize winners with the $50,000 award, which provides $35,000 for classroom upgrades and $15,000 for the award-winning teacher. Hilderbrand was one of more than 900 applicants in the annual contest, which was founded in 2017.

“Winning this prize is not a small achievement,” said Harbor Freight Tools district manager Michael Sias. “Hilderbrand’s application went through three rounds of judging by experts in education, industry, philanthropy and civic leadership. The prize is very competitive.”

Belen Vargas, senior director for the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools program, congratulated Hilderbrand and mentioned that the welding teacher’s application for the contest was especially heartfelt and read an excerpt of the application Tuesday morning.

“What I love most about being a skilled trades teacher is having the opportunity to inspire students to explore and discover their passions, to recognize their skillsets, abilities and talents, and connect them to real world 21st century internships and careers in the welding industry and skilled trades.” Vargas read. “As we prepare students for their futures, I love to watch them dream, grow, create and succeed as they turn their passions into real careers.”

Soquel High School Principal Julia Hodges was among the teachers and staff in the metal shop Tuesday and was thrilled that a deserving teacher received the substantial award.

“You can tell that all of her students really love her,” said Hodges. “And that’s what we need in education are people that not only have the trades talent but also the love for their students. It’s unique and special.”

Soquel High School junior Maverick Heath also mentioned Hilderbrand’s dedication to teaching and all of the students in her classes.

“She is more than just a teacher,” said Heath. “She gets to know you on a personal level, and when you’re in the shop, there’s a lot going on, especially with so many kids and there’s only one of her. It’s hard work.”

Hilderbrand was elated after the award presentation and told the Sentinel that the money she received will likely be used to purchase CNC equipment for the school’s welding program, which has about 90 students in total.

“I am just so happy,” said Hilderbrand. “This was the third time that I tried because I am really committed to trying to earn money for our program. I am looking to buy a CNC, which is a computer numerically controlled unit that would be really beneficial for 21st century learning and connects with real world industry. This is going to impact the program so much.”