New Jersey's Alpha School Wins Grand Prize in National Creativity Contest Presented by Jersey Mike's Subs - Wins Visit from Harlem Globetrotters on May 20

JACKSON, N.J., May 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Alpha School, which serves students with multiple disabilities from across New Jersey, has been named the 2025 national grand prize winner of the Harlem Globetrotters Court of Creativity contest presented by Jersey Mike's Subs. In addition to receiving a $1,000 cash prize from Jersey Mike's, Alpha School will also be awarded a visit from the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters and a catered lunch from Jersey Mike's on Tuesday, May 20.

Alpha School's winning submission highlighted its unique "Athletic Arts" program, a weekly collaboration among Art, Music, and Physical Education teachers that combines sensory activities with fine and gross motor skills. For their project, K–5 students used basketballs and paint in creative ways to produce a canvas now proudly displayed in the school's hallway. The innovative approach is designed to make learning more accessible and enjoyable for exceptional students.

To view the school's winning video, click HERE.

"We are incredibly proud of our students for showing how creativity, teamwork, and joy can break down barriers," said John Gonzalez, principal of Alpha School. "Our Athletic Arts program was built to inspire confidence, celebrate individuality, and help every student find their voice—and it's an honor to see their hard work recognized on a national stage."

Now in its third year, the Court of Creativity contest invited elementary students nationwide to showcase their talents through basketball-themed projects inspired by the Harlem Globetrotters. This year's finalists featured a range of creative entries, including STEM experiments, custom jersey designs, original videos, trick shots, and full-scale classroom productions. Students applied their creativity across subjects like math, science, and art while exploring important themes such as perseverance, teamwork, and community spirit.

"The Court of Creativity shines a light on the incredible ways schools bring imagination and learning together," said Rich Hope, Chief Marketing Officer at Jersey Mike's Franchise Systems, LLC. "Alpha School's project was especially inspiring – not only for its originality, but for how it brought students of all abilities together to create something meaningful. We are thrilled to celebrate their achievement."

The competition was open to public, private, and vocational elementary schools with grades K–5 across the United States, serving as a platform for promoting creativity, healthy lifestyles, and community engagement among young students.

ABOUT JERSEY MIKE'S SUBS

Jersey Mike's Subs, with more than 4,000 locations open and in development, serves authentic fresh sliced/fresh grilled subs on in-store freshly baked bread — the same recipe it started with in 1956. Passion for giving in Jersey Mike's local communities is reflected in its mission statement "Giving…making a difference in someone's life." For more information, please visit jerseymikes.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X.

ABOUT THE WORLD-FAMOUS HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS™ / HERSCHEND ENTERTAINMENT STUDIOS

The Harlem Globetrotters™ are THE originators of basketball style; captured by their dynamic athleticism, unique skill and historical influence on the modern game of basketball. Since 1926, the Globetrotters, proud members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, have used their legendary global tour to showcase their iconic brand of basketball to tens of millions in over 124 countries and territories across six continents.

They have expanded the brand by coming back to network television for the first time in 40 years with their Emmy nominated NBC series "Harlem Globetrotters: Play it Forward" which also airs on Telemundo as "Harlem Globetrotters: Ganando Con La Comunidad." Content partners include Hidden Pictures, Atmosphere TV, and Hearts Media Production Group; consumer partnerships include, Sprayground, Undercrwn, Macys, Hybrid; and additional partnerships include our official tour partner Jersey Mike's Subs, official ball partner, Spalding, Viral Nation, Hoopculture, and Citi.

Coined by the U.S. State Department in 1951 as Ambassadors of Goodwill, the team leverages their moniker to drive its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts around their strategic pillars of Health & Wellness, Education, and Community Empowerment. These efforts have yielded partnership with the likes of Microsoft, U.S. State Department Sports Diplomacy, The National Archives, 'Great Assist' in partnership with Jersey Mike's Subs, Campus Multimedia Court of Creativity, and Comic Relief Red Nose Day.

For more information about the Harlem Globetrotters™ and the Tour, visit the Globetrotters' official website: www.harlemglobetrotters.com. The Harlem Globetrotters™ is a subsidiary of Herschend, the largest family-owned themed attractions company.

Press Contact:

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SOURCE Harlem Globetrotters