16 Local Educators Receive $1,000 Donation from Independence Bowl

SHREVEPORT, La. – The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl donated $1,000 to 16 local educators during Bowl Week in December 2024, in conjunction with the College Football Playoff Foundation’s Extra Yard for Teachers initiative.

The Independence Bowl donated $17,000 to local educators in 2024, including the $1,000 it donated on the Extra Yard for Teachers BIG DAY in September 2024. The 2024 donations bring the total to $102,000 since 2021.

Since 2021, the $102,000 has funded 132 local educators – reaching schools in Bossier, Caddo, DeSoto, Red River and Webster Parishes – and impacted approximately 20,000 local students.

The 16 educators who received $1,000 donations during Bowl Week are listed below.

• Stacy Berry – Haughton Elementary School
• Shelby Brown – Blanchard Elementary School
• Ashley Clements – Keithville Middle School
• Julie Davis – Captain Shreve High School
• Julie Eason – Southwood High School
• Christene Griffith – Riverside Elementary School
• Lori Harper – Parkway Middle School
• Lagretta Hawthorne – Huntington High School
• Ashley Hazelton – A.C. Steere Elementary School
• Kathryn Hoffman – University Elementary School
• Jacob Mainiero – C.E. Byrd High School
• Dixie McCloud – Plantation Park Elementary School
• Devin Rachels – Captain Shreve High School
• Kimberly Searcy – Bossier Elementary School

In addition to the $1,000 donation, each educator received two tickets to the 2024 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl between No. 22/19 (CFP/AP) Army West Point and Louisiana Tech and had their names displayed at the game.

ABOUT THE RADIANCE TECHNOLOGIES INDEPENDENCE BOWL™

Established in 1976, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl™ is college football’s 11th most historic bowl game. The No. 22/19 (CFP/AP) Army West Point Black Knights defeated the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, 27-6, in the 48th edition on Saturday, December 28, 2024. Huntsville, Ala.-based Radiance Technologies is the bowl’s title sponsor through the 2025 Bowl Season. The bowl’s conference, team, and television agreements also run through the 2025 season. 

The Independence Bowl Foundation is prevalent in the Shreveport-Bossier City area throughout the year, hosting events to help enhance the economic impact and growth of our community. The Mission of the Independence Bowl is to attract and provide quality, nationally recognized football competition oriented to the Ark-La-Tex region. For more information, visit RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com or follow the bowl on Facebook, X and Instagram at @IndyBowl.