Ocala Teacher to Compete for Face of Halloween Prize
Forest High School teacher Joe Ray is participating in a national contest to support the Starlight Children's Foundation.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Joe Ray, a personal finance teacher at Forest High School, is currently competing in the group stage of the Face of Halloween contest. Voting for this round concludes at 8 p.m. on Oct. 29, 2026.
Why it matters
The competition serves as a fundraiser for the Starlight Children's Foundation, with participants hoping to advance to the national final.
Joe Ray has dedicated 27 years to his education career, including the last 17 years spent teaching at Forest High School. The national contest winner is set to receive a $13,000 cash prize.
The players
Joe Ray
He is an educator who teaches personal finance and money management at Forest High School.
Starlight Children's Foundation
This organization provides support for children in hospitals and is the beneficiary of the contest donations.
Kane Hodder
He is a professional actor known for his roles in horror films who will host a ghost hunt for the contest winner.
The details
Contestants gain entry into the Face of Halloween by submitting photos, with fans able to cast free votes to support their favorites. The winner of the national group stage will move on to compete for the final contest prize and a ghost hunt with Kane Hodder.
Timeline
Voting for the group stage ends at 8 p.m. on Oct. 29, 2026.
Market Landscape
This story follows a pattern set by the Starlight Children's Foundation fundraising initiatives by using public-facing contests to drive charitable donations. Such events capitalize on the trend of using digital engagement to generate significant visibility for non-profit entities.
Local residents can support the effort by casting free votes for the contestant through the official portal before the deadline. Participation in this fundraiser does not require any financial commitment from the public.
The takeaway
Engaging in online charitable contests can provide significant exposure for non-profit organizations like the Starlight Children's Foundation. Residents interested in supporting local participants should ensure their votes are cast before the official group stage deadline.
Further reading
For more on community-led charity efforts, visit the Philanthropy section.
More information
View the current standings or support the campaign on the Face of Halloween contestant page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Ocala Gazette.
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