Courtesy photo Beverly Reynolds, a Mid Peninsula second-grade teacher, is shown with a framed Red Wings jersey and $5,000 check she received in the Detroit Red Wings’ Best in Class program, which recognized outstanding educators in Michigan.

ROCK — Beverly Reynolds, the Mid Peninsula second-grade teacher who underwent brain surgery last summer and continues to do her best for students, was recently awarded the grand prize in the Detroit Red Wings’ Best in Class program, which recognized outstanding educators in Michigan.

A few weeks ago, it was announced that Beverly was one of three finalists in the contest, an impressive feat, considering that teachers were nominated from around the state. Beverly had been nominated by her husband, Chris Reynolds, who also teaches at Mid Pen.

During the first Red Wings game that the couple had been given tickets to — along with 75 other honorees and their guests — it was announced that Beverly had been chosen as the finalist from that entry period. Two other groups of 75 were also whittled down to one finalist, making Beverly one of three.

“This has been such a surreal experience, and I am so grateful,” she said after being selected as a finalist.

The contest was sponsored by the Red Wings, Coca-Cola and Meijer; delegates from those companies judged which teachers to honor, but it was the public who voted on the final winner. Online voting was open from March 24 to April 4.

The three finalists were given tickets to another home game — the last of the year. When Chris and Beverly drove down to Detroit to attend, they did not yet know that Beverly had earned more votes than either of the other two teachers, both of whom were from the Detroit area.

The couple, whose first date was a hockey game at NMU, have long been Red Wings fans, so perhaps it was appropriate that it was also fan appreciation night.

That evening, April 14, Beverly learned that she had won the grand prize overall at a small awards ceremony right before the game. Retired Red Wings player Dan Cleary presented Beverly with a trophy, a framed custom jersey with “REYNOLDS 25” on it, and a giant check representing the $5,000 grant that will be awarded to Mid Pen for educational materials.

Then, for the game, the three teachers and their guests were invited to watch from the Coca-Cola suite — “amazing seats,” Beverly said.

“We visited with Meijer and Coke executives, and ate delicious food. The finalists were ushered to the very top level of Little Caesar’s Arena to make an appearance on the Big Screen during the last intermission,” she told the Press.

“When the game was over, my husband and I were escorted to the ice for a meet and greet with Elmer Soderblom, part of the ‘Jersey off Your Back’ program. The Red Wings staff was amazing, so inviting, and kind. I don’t think I can say enough good things about the people we met.”

As for getting them there, it was the help of the local community, people who places over 68,000 votes online, and the family members who stepped in to help with childcare when Beverly and Chris were down in Detroit.

Beverly thanked those who made it all possible.

“What an amazing experience this has been,” Beverly said.”This is such an amazing testament to what our community can do together.”

It will take about a month for the $5,000 grant to be issued to the school. Mid Pen Superintendent Eric Van Damme will oversee its use, and Beverly will primarily be the one to “direct the funds as she sees fit,” Van Damme said.