MILITARY BOWL AND WEGMANS HONOR TEACHERS WHO GO THE EXTRA YARD
The National Capital Region’s college football bowl game and its supermarket partner provide grants to 10 teachers with military ties and those who teach in military communities
The Military Bowl Foundation and Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. once again have teamed up to recognize and support local teachers who have gone above and beyond for their students.
Through the College Football Playoff Foundation’s Extra Yard for Teachers program and sponsored locally by Wegmans, the Military Bowl Foundation is providing grants to 10 teachers with connections to the military from across the National Capital Region:
- Kareem Clayborne, Chris Yung Elementary School, Prince William County Public Schools: Fifth grade teacher is a U.S. Army veteran who performed scientific research for the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research and the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory.
- Les Cline, Leesylvania Elementary School, Prince William County Public Schools: Physical education teacher served 22 years in the U.S. Navy as a hospital corpsman. Now in his 19th year as an elementary school teacher.
- Dawn Conway, Hillsmere Elementary School, Anne Arundel County Public Schools: Daughter of an U.S. Army veteran, her father-in-law served 21 years in the U.S. Navy. Now in her 25th year as a teacher, she says that every day still brings a new and exciting experience for her and her students.
- Jen Fairson, Corkran Middle School, Anne Arundel County Public Schools: Daughter of a 20-year U.S. Navy veteran grew up around the military and is accustomed to military family life. She plans to use the grant to purchase materials for her classes.
- Sharon Hardy, Patriot High School, Prince William County Public Schools: High school business teacher joined the U.S. Army after high school and retired in 2008. Now in her 16th year as a teacher, she enjoys seeing the connection between what students learn and their everyday lives.
- Shelby Hill, Clearview Elementary School, Fairfax County Public Schools: Special education department chair comes from a family with generations of military service. Her father enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served three combat tours in Vietnam.
- Danielle Hogan, Mary Williams Elementary School, Prince William County Public Schools: Kindergarten to second grade special education teacher enjoys building connections with her students. She is the daughter of a 20-year U.S. Air Force veteran.
- Marie Quisbert, James K. Polk Elementary School, Alexandria City Public Schools: Fifth-grade teacher is a U.S. Army veteran, who credits her service for instilling discipline, camaraderie and a sense of purpose and says her time in the Army continues to influence how she approaches her professional and personal life.
- Miranda Stitzel, Sunrise Valley Elementary School, Fairfax County Public Schools: Kindergarten teacher grew up in a military family; her father served 31 years in the U.S. Army. Both of her brothers are currently in the U.S. Army and she previously served two years as the military liaison at Sunrise Valley to support military-connected students.
- Andrea Tores, Rippling Woods Elementary School, Anne Arundel County Public Schools: In her 20th year as a teacher, she works in the Restorative Interventions and Supports for Elementary Students. Her husband is an U.S. Air Force veteran.
Earlier this fall, the Military Bowl Foundation recognized Alexandria teacher and U.S. Army veteran Jeretha Thomas with a $1,000 grant to use in her classroom as part of the College Football Playoff Foundation’s Big Day for Teachers. Thomas has taught elementary school for 21 years and currently teaches literacy development at John Adams Elementary School.
“The Military Bowl Foundation and Wegmans are thrilled to recognize these incredible teachers for their contributions to the next generation of learners,” Military Bowl Foundation President & Executive Director Steve Beck said. “The Military Bowl is very appreciative of the support of Wegmans, which shares our commitment not only to those helping shape and develop the minds of these future leaders, but also is dedicated to helping those who serve our great nation.”
The teachers receiving grants will be recognized on the field during the 2024 Go Bowling Military Bowl, which takes place on Saturday, Dec. 28 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md. The game once again matches teams from the ACC and the American Athletic Conference. Kickoff is at 5:45 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast on ESPN. Tickets are on sale now.
The teachers also will participate in the gameday Military Bowl Parade, which begins at 2 p.m. at City Dock in downtown Annapolis and continues to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
Proceeds from the Bowl benefit Patriot Point, the Military Bowl Foundation’s 294-acre retreat for wounded, ill and injured service members, their families and caregivers.
“We are honored to partner with Military Bowl in support of Extra Yards for Teachers,” said Chris Holland, community engagement & communications manager at Wegmans. “At Wegmans, we believe education creates opportunity, which is why we’ve included education and youth support in our giving priorities. We know that there are many great educators in the National Capital Area, including those who have served our nation. We look forward to recognizing these recipients during the Military Bowl Parade and at the Bowl game in December.”