By Erik Evenson, Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl Director of Communications
The Independence Bowl Foundation partnered with the College Football Playoff Foundation’s Extra Yard for Teachers for the fifth straight year to provide donations for local teachers, and through this partnership, the Independence Bowl donated $1,000 to 29 local educators in December 2025.
Educators at public schools from Caddo, Bossier, DeSoto, Red River and Webster Parishes were eligible for the donations, and the teachers selected were nominated by fans on the Independence Bowl website.
Through the partnership with Extra Yard for Teachers, the Independence Bowl Foundation has funded $40,000 to local teachers this year. The Independence Bowl and Extra Yard for Teachers also teamed up in March to donate $10,000 to Starbase Louisiana to help fund Barksdale Air Force Base’s Starbase branch during federal budget negotiations and donated $1,000 total to two teachers – Mrs. DiPaul from Eden Gardens Magnet Elementary and Mrs. Schneider from Waller Elementary – on the Extra Yard for Teachers BIG DAY on September 16, 2025.
The Independence Bowl’s Extra Yard for Teachers initiative has donated $142,000 to local teachers and education projects since 2021. The donations over the past five years have funded 164 classrooms and impacted approximately 25,000 students in Northwest Louisiana.
The 29 educators funded in December 2025 are listed below. Each teacher received a $1,000 Donors Choose certificate to fund a classroom project of their choosing.
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
In addition to the $1,000 donations, each educator selected receives two tickets to the 2025 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl between Coastal Carolina and Louisiana Tech.
The 49th Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl kicks off on Tuesday, December 30 at 1 p.m. CST. Tickets start at $20 and are on sale now at RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com/Tickets. There is a variety of ticket packages available – including individual tickets, group tickets, Pizza Hut Family 4-Packs, Small Business Fan Packs and more. For ticketing questions, fans can email [email protected] or call the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl office at (318) 221-0712.
For information on Independence Stadium rules and the clear bag policy, please visit RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com/stadium-rules/. Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl fans can visit OpportunityLouisiana.gov to explore why Louisiana businesses are positioned to win.