Delivering a surprise to an outstanding Ogden High School educator, Young Mazda Ogden provided Chris Davidson — who won Ogden School District’s teacher of the year award — with an all-expenses paid, one-year lease on a new 2025 Mazda CX-70 on May 7.
Staging the event in an outdoor commons space of the high school, students and faculty gathered to celebrate Davidson’s achievement. Standing on a concrete bench, the engineering and architecture teacher prepared to deliver a speech before Young Mazda’s general manager, Ryan Albert, stole the microphone and joined him. Albert then had an employee bring over a box, which contained keys to the vehicle. Once Davidson found the keys, students from Ogden High School’s marching band escorted the Mazda as it was driven to the center of the area.
“It’s always great to be recognized,” said Davidson. “I love to impact students. That’s obviously why I’m a teacher. I don’t do it for things like this at all. My bucket is filled each day just through interactions with kids.”
In addition to the lease, Davidson received insurance offered by Goldenwest Credit Union as well as a $500 gas card compliments of Maverik. He said that he plans to prepare a road trip for the summer.
“This is one of our favorite annual events because we get to honor individuals who do so much for our community,” said Albert. “Teacher’s like Davidson don’t get enough credit for the role they play in helping our children develop, so it’s always meaningful to try to repay them in some way.”
An effort contributed to by Mazda USA, the Ogden School Foundation and the Young Automotive Group’s charitable nonprofit, the Young Caring for Our Young Foundation, Davidson is the third teacher of the year to be surprised with a vehicle from Young Mazda Ogden. The dealership’s sister operation, Young Kia, has hosted a similar initiative with Davis School District since 2016.
In addition to the teacher of the year celebration, the Young Automotive Group and Young Caring for Our Young have made several contributions to Ogden High School. Recently, the business’ Collision Center operation partnered with Precision for Collision and Car-O-Liner to donate a resistance spot welder to the automotive program, a product valued at $42,000.
“Young Caring for Our Young and Young Automotive have been incredible partners to Ogden School District,” said Luke Rasmussen, superintendent of Ogden School District. “Their unwavering support for our students and staff is felt in so many meaningful ways. From their generous contributions to their belief in the power of education, they consistently go above and beyond. The Teacher of the Year vehicle is just one example of how they recognize and uplift the work of our educators. Their mission to give back and support teachers and students is inspiring, and we are truly grateful for their partnership.”
