Tyson Smith walked his class to an evacuation drill and found a $75,000 check
Tyson Smith teaches agricultural welding at Payette High School in Idaho. He went to the school himself. On Tuesday he walked his class outside for what he thought was an evacuation drill. Students were waiting with pom-poms and a check for $75,000.
5 October 2026
Photo: Echo Brooke Photography
On Tuesday, 29 September, Tyson Smith walked his welding class outside at Payette High School. He thought it was an evacuation drill. In front of the career-training building, students were waiting with pom-poms.
One sign said “Mr. Smith you make us proud.” Another said “Best surprise ever.” They yelled “I love you Mr. Smith!”
I was completely surprised.Tyson Smith, to Idaho Education News
Harbor Freight Tools for Schools had a check for $75,000. The memo line sends $50,000 to the high school and $25,000 to Smith. He teaches agricultural welding, and he has done it for 20 years. He studied at the University of Idaho, then came back to the high school he went to.
Ashley Bennett, a regional manager at Harbor Freight, said 569 teachers applied, from 49 states. Smith is the only one in Idaho this year, and the second there since 2017.
He said the shop will get a newer CNC plasma cutter, and laser welding, which the school does not have.
His old teacher
Amanda Smith, his wife, is an administrator in the district. She heard about the ceremony that morning and brought him flowers.
Photo: Echo Brooke Photography
Keith Hyatt taught agricultural welding at Payette from 1976 to 2002. Smith was in his class for four years. Hyatt was there on Tuesday.
Mr. Hyatt was my ag teacher, and he’s the reason that I went into ag education, so it means a lot seeing him here.Tyson Smith, to Idaho Education News
“The kids that need somebody to hang on to, he’s the guy they hang on to,” Hyatt said. Carlie Gepford, a sophomore in Welding 2, has taken Smith’s classes since she started high school. “He pushes us unlike any other teachers,” she said.
Carry a story in five words
We run a game called Long Story Short: one real news sentence a day, and you keep the five words that carry it. Today’s is below. Do play.
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For example: A 100-year-old in Louisiana, losing his sight, gives away the handmade toys he still makes, more than a hundred this year, each a little wooden car. The five were 100-year-old gives away handmade toys.