Harbor Freight Tools is giving away a total of $1.25 million in cash prizes this October. Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence has narrowed to fifty public high school skilled trades teachers.

Brian Kuntz, the industrial technology teacher at Dexter High School in Dexter, KS has been named as one of the finalists. In his application, Kuntz wrote: “To me, my shop during school time is like a factory running at its peak production. Sawdust in the air, sparks flying from a grinder, and projects getting built in the safest way possible. That is what it’s all about.”

Eric Smidt, founder of Harbor Freight Tools for Schools said “We deeply appreciate the work skilled trades teachers do to prepare and inspire our next generation of tradespeople.”

A record 768 applications were received from 50 states. The finalists will now go on to the second round of the competition. Once that is completed five grand prize winners will each receive $30,000 and $70,000 will go to their school. 15 additional winners will get $15,000 with $35,000 going to their school.