HIGH POINT, N.C. — Five schools across the U.S. were each awarded $2,000 for their programs in science, technology, engineering and math in recognition of the winning entries of the inaugural Thomas Built Buses Back to School Photo Contest.

The schools to receive the prize money are:

• McEndree Elementary School, Flora, Ill.
• Chancey Elementary School, Louisville, Ky.
• Spencer School, Middletown, Conn.
• Central School, Huntsville, Ala.
• Kalama (Wash.) School District

The photo contest invited parents across the country to submit a photo of their child that best represents the spirit of back-to-school season. The photos were then posted to the Thomas Built Buses Facebook page for public voting.

The top 50 photos with the most online votes were presented to a panel of judges, who then determined the five winners based on originality, applicability to the back-to-school theme, inclusion of a school bus or school bus driver, composition, and photo quality.

Each of the five winners was awarded a $2,000 donation to their child’s school from the Daimler Education in Motion campaign. Daimler Trucks North America, the parent company of Thomas Built, launched the Daimler Education in Motion campaign this year to support educational initiatives focused on manufacturing career path development.

“For over 70 years, parents and school districts have trusted Thomas Built to transport their students,” said Kelley Platt, president and CEO of Thomas Built Buses. “School buses are an iconic symbol for the back-to-school season and the excitement that goes with it. We wanted to encourage parents to celebrate back-to-school season while giving them an opportunity to benefit their schools.”

To see the five winning photos from the contest, go here.