Local Teachers Receive $1,000 Grants from Independence Bowl Foundation

Teachers in northwest Louisiana are receiving crucial support through the **Independence Bowl Foundation**, which has awarded **$1,000 grants** to 29 local educators. This initiative, now in its fifth consecutive year, is part of a collaboration with the **College Football Playoff Foundation’s Extra Yard for Teachers** program. The funding aims to enhance educational resources in local classrooms across several parishes, including Caddo, Bossier, DeSoto, Red River, and Webster.

Nominations for the grants came from **Independence Bowl** fans, highlighting the community’s commitment to supporting education. Since its inception in 2021, the Extra Yard for Teachers initiative has contributed a total of **$142,000** to local teachers and educational projects, impacting approximately **25,000 students** in the region. In a recent news release, it was noted that these donations have funded **164 classrooms**, showcasing the tangible benefits of this financial support.

Recognizing Outstanding Educators

Each of the selected teachers will receive a certificate from **Donors Choose** to fund specific classroom projects, along with complimentary tickets to the **Independence Bowl**. The recipients include a diverse group of educators, such as **Pam Anderson** from Elm Grove Middle, **Cassaundra Anglin** from Walnut Hill Elementary, and **Maureen Barclay** from Captain Shreve High.

Here is the complete list of recipients:

– Pam Anderson – Elm Grove Middle
– Cassaundra Anglin – Walnut Hill Elementary
– Allinder Armand – South Highlands Elementary
– Maureen Barclay – Captain Shreve High
– Tia Bell – Huntington High
– Caroline Calhoun – Caddo Middle Magnet
– Carrie Culpepper – Bellaire Elementary
– Jasheika Dennis – J.S. Clark Elementary
– Jamie Fields – North Highlands Elementary
– Amber Finimore – Platt Elementary
– Michelle Harp – Haughton High
– Sarah Hatcher – W.T. Lewis Elementary
– Marisa Jefferson – Blanchard Elementary
– Cherise Kelly – Meadowview Elementary
– Joslyn Love – Westwood Elementary
– Margaret-Rose Lutz – Caddo Parish Magnet High
– Cassidy Mainiero – Caddo Career & Technology
– Tomekia Morris – Creswell Elementary
– Brittney Myles – Caddo Middle Career & Technology
– Jennifer Powers – Eden Gardens Elementary
– Nashunte Ragster-Manuel – Green Oaks Performing Arts Academy
– Nicola Reed-Wilson – Keithville Middle
– Lauren Brooke Saulsbury – Youree Drive Middle
– Gavina Scroggins – Caddo Heights Elementary
– Taylor Thompson – Donnie Bickham Middle
– Kristen Vercher – Waller Elementary
– Lindsey Wallace – Fairfield Elementary
– Jennifer Westfall – Benton Middle
– Allie Zator – C.E. Byrd High

Continued Commitment to Education

This year, the partnership with Extra Yard for Teachers has allocated **$40,000** specifically for local teachers. Earlier in September, the initiative also provided **$1,000** grants to two additional educators from **Eden Gardens Magnet Elementary** and **Waller Elementary**.

The upcoming **49th Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl** is scheduled to take place on **December 30, 2023**, at **1 p.m.** This annual event not only celebrates college football but also reinforces the community’s ongoing investment in local education. The Independence Bowl Foundation’s efforts underscore the importance of supporting educators and enhancing learning opportunities for students throughout the region.