TEACHER OF THE YEAR 2017 (CAT. URBAN)

Out of 154 names on the ballot, the contest lasted about 48 hours. RUXI (TDC) opened with a 22-point lead on day one, but by day two GRETI had overtaken her — and that was the last time the standings moved. For the next 38 days, GRETI's lead over SORIN (FREAKS) sat locked between 11 and 12 points, day after day, without budging.

That stillness is the real story of a field this crowded: GRETI closed with just 11.5% of 3,261 votes, SORIN 9.5%, and 152 other names splitting the rest into single digits and fractions of a percent. Nobody had the volume to close a 2-point gap, so the frozen margin held from the second day to the last.

• Day 2 flip · Lead changed hands once, from RUXI to GRETI, on day two
• 38-day freeze · GRETI's margin over SORIN held at 11-12% for the rest of the poll
• Plurality, not a mandate · Winner took just 11.5% against 153 other names