Oklahoma City, OK – Braum’s and Dr Pepper partner each year to award thousands of dollars to students to help cover tuition costs. This year, they are giving nearly $50,000 to winners in four states.
Braum’s is proud to congratulate and announce the Braum’s Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway winners for the 2022 giveaway, which took place from Sept. 1 to Oct. 31, 2022.
Each year, the contest offers a chance to win one of twenty $1,000 tuition awards or a $23,000 grand prize. Braum’s employees can also win one of six employee tuition awards of $1,000.
The contest takes place yearly (usually Sept. to Oct.) and prizes are awarded the following year after all contestants are notified and their information is verified. To enter, contestants text ‘BRAUMS’ (customers) or ‘BRAUMSTEAM’ (employees) to the designated contest number during the giveaway period. Contestants can enter once a day. The winners are drawn randomly from the pool of entries.
The 2022 giveaway was the ninth year that Braum’s and Dr Pepper have partnered to award tuition prizes. The prizes can be transferred to a friend or family member to pay for tuition.
“This partnership is a wonderful way for Braum’s to give back to our communities,” said Drew Braum, President and CEO. “It also helps our employees who are still in school or have kids in school.”
The Braum’s Dr Pepper tuition award covers college or post-secondary vocational institutional tuition, fees, books, supplies, equipment, related educational expenses, or on-campus room and board. Winners can also use the tuition award to pay off student loans for eligible costs.
In Kansas, five customers and one Braum’s employee won $1,000.
In Missouri, two customers and one employee won $1,000.
In Oklahoma, there were eight customer winners and two employee winners. The Oklahoma winners include the grand prize winner Shannan Magden. Magden is gifting her prize to her son, Konnor Magden.
In Texas, six customers won a $1,000 prize, as well as two employees.
All the winners’ details are below.
KANSAS WINNERS – The Wichita area management team presented the prize checks to all the Kansas winners. The group included Area Manger Ryan Hunt, District Managers Shaun Dewey, Eric Hoefer, and Wichita Manager Cassandra Seymour.
- $1,000 Prize Winner –Shelley Walden of Goddard, KS. Walden is gifting her prize to her son, Zachary Walden.
- Zachary currently attends Wichita State University.
- $1,000 Prize Winner – Lizeth Aguilera of Wichita, KS.
- $1,000 Prize Winner – Stephanie Bohlken of Wichita, KS. Bohlken is gifting the prize to her son, Steven Ramirez
- Steven is currently a senior at North High and is looking to go to either Wichita State University or Butler.
- $1,000 Prize Winner – Elizabeth Gonzalez of Wichita, KS.
- $1,000 Prize Winner – Emily Roets of Wichita, KS.
- Roets is in graduate school at Fort Hays State University. She is working on getting a degree in English for speakers of other languages. She heard about the giveaway from her school counselor. “I am amazed and motivated by my students who overcome their language and economic barriers, graduate high school and go on to college,” she said. When asked what her favorite thing from Braum’s is, she said, “Peanut Cluster Fudge ice cream!”
MISSOURI WINNERS:
- $1,000 Prize Winner –Rich Zimmerman of DeSoto, MO. Rich is gifting his prize to his son, Connor Zimmerman.
- Connor attends Drury University in Springfield, MO. He is currently a junior studying graphic design and cyber security. He is also on the Drury wrestling team. Connor said this prize will help him work hard on the mat and in the classroom. His favorite meal at Braum’s is the Bag of Burgers and ice cream!
- $1,000 Prize Winner –Devin Brodnax of Joplin, MO, was presented her check at her local Braum’s by District Manager Tiffany Smith, Area Manager Becki Duncan and Store Manager Simone Moss.
- Devin attends Crowder College in Neosho, MO. She is in her second year of nursing school. She said, “Becoming a nurse has been a dream of mine ever since I was a little girl. I watched my mom graduate from nursing school when I was young, and I knew then that I wanted to follow in her footsteps.” Her favorite Braum’s treat is an M&M’s or Butterfinger Mix.
OKLAHOMA WINNERS:
- $23,000 Grand Prize Winner – Shannan Magden of Yukon, OK. Magden is gifting her prize to her son, Konnor Magden. District Manager Sonika Agarwal and Area Manager Chris Mielke presented the Grand Prize check to the Magdens.
- Konnor is a freshman at Oklahoma State University, studying biology, and plans to attend medical school after his undergraduate studies. When asked about winning the giveaway, he said, “This will help me reach my professional goals. Thank you to all involved for sponsoring this contest and helping students achieve their dreams.” Konnor’s favorite things from Braum’s are a burger, Braum’s sauce and ice cream. Plus, he loves that you can get your groceries too.
- $1,000 Prize Winner – Alyssa Black of Blanchard, OK. Braum’s Manager, Jorge Vargas, and District Manager, John Reyna, presented Black with her check.
- Black is currently a senior at Blanchard High School. She plans to attend East Central University in Ada this fall to major in chemistry. Black found out about the contest by visiting her local Braum’s in Blanchard and said she entered the contest around 30 times. Her favorite thing from Braum’s is ice cream.
- $1,000 Prize Winner –Mya Purifoy of Choctaw, OK
- Purifoy is a freshman at Oklahoma State University, studying applied exercise science. She said, “I want to be great and do great things. This tuition prize will help me accomplish my goals.”
- $1,000 Prize Winner – Jose Duarte of Oklahoma City, OK. District Manager Amber Ghotbi presented Duarte with his check.
- Duarte is attending Columbia Southern University online. He is working on getting his degree in occupational health and safety. You can often catch him visiting with his friends and family at Braum’s with his favorite ice cream, Pistachio Almond, in hand!
- $1,000 Prize Winner – Teri Hooten of Seminole, OK (no picture available).
- $1,000 Prize Winner – Jessica Phillips of Shawnee, OK. Phillips is gifting her prize to her son, Daniel Phillips. District Manager Cynthia Effinger presented the Phillips with the award at their local Braum’s in Shawnee.
- Daniel is a senior at Shawnee High school. He is also concurrently enrolled at Seminole State. Daniel plans to major in mechanical engineering at Oklahoma State University. When asked what inspires him, he said, “Knowing I can do anything even when it seems impossible. We are so grateful to have won this amazing gift.” When Phillips is not studying for class, playing sports or volunteering, he makes little time to grab a chocolate chip cookie dough cone from Braum’s.
- $1,000 Prize Winner – Jamie Beatty of Tulsa, OK (no picture available).
- $1,000 Prize Winner – Sarah Corley of Yukon, OK. District Manager Amber Ghotbi presented the Corleys with their check.
- Corley is a freshman at Oklahoma City Community College and will be applying for the Speech Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) program. “The amazing people I work with daily as a Special Education Paraprofessional for Mustang Public schools inspire me to work hard and do my best,” she said. Sarah and her family enjoy trips to Braum’s to get the Bag of Burgers deal, and an eggnog shake is a must-have during the holidays.
TEXAS WINNERS:
- $1,000 Prize Winner – Aasta Shaw of Burkburnett, TX. Braum’s Burkburnett Manager Dawnelle Cummins and District Manager Chad Hale presented Shaw with her award.
- Shaw holds a Bachelor of Science degree in medical laboratory science but has wanted to return to school for several years. “I am so grateful to have won this prize so I can further my education,” she said. “I am inspired by my faith in Christ, my family and all the wonderful people in my life.” Shaw loves to bring her family to Braum’s, and she especially enjoys Braum’s Cappuccino Chunky Chocolate ice cream.
- $1,000 Prize Winner – Tyler Burkey of Duncanville, TX. Burkey is gifting the prize to his daughter, Lauren Burkey. Braum’s Managers, Regina Shackelford and Sandra Patterson, presented Burkey and his family with the award.
- Lauren will begin nursing school this fall at a Texas University (yet to be determined). “Lauren is the first of 7 children to graduate, and this scholarship will help seed her aspirations as her family supports her collegiate career,” her father said.
- $1,000 Prize Winner – Leslie Grell of Flower Mound, TX. Grell is gifting her gift to her son, Kurt Grell. Flower Mound Manager Nuwan Subasinghe and Area Manager Lawrence Finney presented the award.
- Kurt will begin his first year at the University of Nebraska at Kearney to study aviation this fall. His favorite thing about Braum’s is the friendly people and the ice cream!
- $1,000 Prize Winner – Jason Zafereo of Frisco, TX. Zafereo is gifting the award to his family friend, Carter Bristow. District Manager Alan Pedraza and Area Manager Lawrence Finney presented the award.
- Bristow will attend Ohio State as a freshman this fall. He plans to major in biology. He says this award will allow him to continue to study and pursue his dream career in athletic training. His favorite Braum’s treat is a birthday cake shake!
- $1,000 Prize Winner –Tawana Gilbert of Kemp, TX. Gilbert is gifting the prize to her daughter, Rachel Weishman. Area Manager Chris Mouttet and Terrell Manager Whitney Jones presented the award.
- Weishman attends Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She is a triple major in English, creative writing and sociology. She lives for the holidays to get egg nog ice cream and milkshakes from Braum’s.
- $1,000 Prize Winner –Christopher Richardson of McKinney, TX. Richardson is gifting his prize to his daughter, Hannah Richardson. Braum’s Area Manager Chris Mouttet and McKinney Manager Ashlee Hull presented the award.
- Hannah plans to attend Texas A&M Corpus Christi this fall. She is going to study animal biology to become a herpetologist. “I love frogs and helping people,” she said. “I also love Braum’s ice cream and am thankful for this award.”
EMPLOYEE WINNERS:
- $1,000 Employee Prize Winner – Stephanie Mason of Cherryvale, KS. Independence Braum’s Manager Penny Hiner presented Mason with her award.
- Mason gifted the prize to her daughter, Katrelle Narcisse. Narcisse is currently a senior at Cherryvale High School. She is taking 14 dual credit courses at Independence Community College. Dual credits are not covered by traditional financial aid, and this scholarship covered her entire semester. “We are thankful for the partnership between Braum’s and DP that gave us the opportunity to win,” Mason said.
- $1,000 Employee Prize Winner –Jalea Winder of Joplin, MO – no photo
- $1,000 Employee Prize Winner – Kara Bentley of Shattuck, OK – no photo
- Bentley attends Southwestern Oklahoma State University where she is studying sports management and athletic training. She said, “I love working for the farm in Shattuck, OK. Braum’s stresses the importance of family. My go to is always a chocolate shake or twist cone!”
- $1,000 Employee Prize Winner – Bernice Hernandez of Tulsa, OK. The Braum’s team at the E. 31st and Highway 169 store presented Hernandez her check.
- $1,000 Employee Prize Winner – Winfredo Al-Ag of Follett, TX – no photo
- $1,000 Employee Prize Winner – Hunter King of Van Alstyne, TX. Braum’s District Manager Stormy Banner and Van Alstyne Manager Brittany Morales-Bader presented King his tuition prize check.
About Braum’s
Bill and Mary Braum opened their first Braum’s store in 1968. The company is still family owned and operated. Braum’s has stores in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas. For more information about Braum’s, go to www.www.braums.com.
