While schools across Massapequa prep for back-to-school, one classroom at McKenna Elementary School may receive a once-in-a-lifetime designer facelift, thanks to an essay written by fourth-grade student Matthew Jewell.

Jewell described how his teacher, Denise Manascalco, deserved a classroom makeover and has been selected from among 500 first-prize winners to become one of 21 semifinalists in the Expo Classroom Makeover program.

Now, Jewell has the chance to win the grand prize - a colorful $25,000 makeover for Ms. Manascalco's classroom, created by celebrity designer Genevieve Gorder from TLC's Trading Spaces.

"Designing a classroom is a dream for me," said Gorder. "Teachers have one of the most important jobs in the world, yet, you rarely get that from the aesthetics of the classroom. Kids are my favorite clients; to have a chance to work for them and improve a teacher's environment through functionality and form is something I never pass up."

In his essay, Jewell described how, despite small teaching quarters, Ms. Manascalco goes the extra mile to motivate her students to learn. Jewell feels that Ms. Manascalco's spirit and dedication to her students makes her deserving of a classroom makeover.

As a semifinalist, Jewell has already won a $1,000 classroom makeover for Ms. Manascalco's room, featuring new Expo dry erase boards, markers and accessories, along with $600 in U.S. Savings Bonds for himself. Now Jewell's essay has a chance to make the final grade.

"This is all very exciting," said Manascalco. "Matthew is an unbelievable person, just extraordinary and I'm very grateful to have a student like him."

The Expo Classroom Makeover program is helping wipe out dusty, drab classrooms and enhance learning by adding color to classrooms across the country.

Results from a survey sponsored by EXPO revealed that teachers and students believe there is a strong connection between color and learning in the classroom. In fact, 92 percent of teachers said that color enhances classroom learning for students, and 80 percent of students said that words in color are easier to remember. However, many schools are still stuck with dull learning environments due to a lack of budget for renovations and upgrades.

"We fielded a survey that confirms that educators find using color to teach in the classroom enhances the learning process, and the majority of students believe it is easier to learn with color," said Phil Dolci, vice president and general manager of Expo. "We've had tremendous feedback about this program since its inception last year, and have been able to add color and make improvements in many schools that might otherwise lack the means and funding to do so. We are honored to reward the outstanding work of teachers and students, such as Ms. Manascalco and Matthew - it's well-deserved."

The contest, which ran February 1 through June 1, invited students in grades 3 through 12 nationwide to write a short essay describing why their teacher deserved a classroom makeover.

Twenty-one semifinalists, like Jewell, were chosen to receive $600 in U.S. Savings Bonds and a classroom overhaul worth $1,000. Out of the 21 semifinalists, one grand prize winner will be chosen to receive an additional $1,000 in U.S. Savings Bonds and a classroom makeover for the teacher's room described in the essay, designed by Gorder and valued at $25,000. The grand prize winner will be announced in September.

Expo is now teaming up with Gorder to launch the next phase of the contest that students across the country may now enter. The second half of the Classroom Makeover program runs through the end of December and will award another $25,000 makeover to one lucky school.

"We look forward to helping brighten and enhance more classrooms through the continuation of the EXPO Classroom Makeover program," said Dolci. "I wish Ms. Manascalco and Matthew the best of luck."

For more information about the contest and a complete set of contest rules, visit www.expomarkers.com.