Boca Raton Bowl Surprises A.D. Henderson Teacher with Classroom Grant

Social Studies Teacher Ella Pillitteri Receives $1,000 Check in Recognition of Extra Yard for Teachers Week

BOCA RATON, FL, UNITED STATES, September 16, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The Boca Raton Bowl surprised A.D. Henderson University School social studies teacher Ella Pillitteri with a giant check and a $1,000 classroom supply grant this week, presenting the award in front of her students and colleagues on the Florida Atlantic University campus on Tuesday, September 15.

The surprise presentation was part of Extra Yard for Teachers Week, September 12 through 19, the College Football Playoff Foundation initiative celebrating PK-12 educators across the country. The program provides resources, professional development, recognition and recruitment support for teachers. To date, more than $104 million has been invested through the initiative, supporting 756,000 teachers nationwide.

Known for inspiring curiosity, leadership and civic engagement in the classroom, Mrs. Pillitteri goes above and beyond to help students discover their potential and understand their role in the world around them. She has led students in mock trial and academic games competitions, presented at national conferences, and conducted action research to advance instructional practice at her school.

“Teachers are behind every success story in this community, including our own,” said Doug Mosley, Executive Director of the Boca Raton Bowl. “Ella Pillitteri is exactly the kind of educator this program was built to recognize. She makes her students curious about the world and confident about their place in it. We are proud to be part of a college football community that puts teachers front and center.”

Mosley was joined for the presentation by A.D. Henderson Principal Dr. Lauren Robinson and by Adam and Clare Brim of Elite Vision Gifting, the event’s title sponsor. Just Baked of East Boca Raton donated cookies for the celebration, continuing a tradition the bakery has supported for several years.

Mrs. Pillitteri will be recognized again on the field at the Boca Raton Bowl on December 18.

The Boca Raton Bowl kicks off Friday, December 18, 2026 at 11 a.m. ET at Florida Atlantic University’s Flagler Credit Union Stadium, airing nationally on ESPN, with radio coverage on ESPN Radio and ESPN 106.3 locally. For more information, visit BocaRatonBowl.com or follow along on Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube.

About the Boca Raton Bowl
Now in its 13th year, the Boca Raton Bowl has established itself as one of college football’s premier postseason events, combining top-tier competition with a vibrant South Florida experience. Played at Flagler Credit Union Stadium on the campus of Florida Atlantic University, the bowl annually attracts teams from leading conferences and delivers compelling matchups in a dynamic, fan-friendly environment. Since 2014, the Boca Raton Bowl has generated more than 30 million cumulative television viewers, welcomed tens of thousands of fans to Palm Beach County and created significant economic impact for the region. With over 60 alumni selected in the NFL Draft and numerous others advancing to professional football, the Boca Raton Bowl continues to play a key role in showcasing the next generation of football talent on a national stage. The game is televised nationally on ESPN, broadcast on ESPN Radio and supported locally by ESPN 106.3. For sponsorship opportunities and more information, visit BocaRatonBowl.com and follow Boca Raton Bowl on Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube.

About ESPN Events
ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, owns and operates a portfolio of premier collegiate sporting events nationwide. During the 2025–26 academic year, the schedule includes 35 events, highlighted by three early-season college football kickoff games, 17 bowl games, 10 college basketball events, two college volleyball events, marquee regular-season college softball and gymnastics competitions and the Band of the Year National Championship.

Collectively, ESPN Events’ portfolio delivers more than 400 hours of live programming annually, reaching approximately 60 million viewers and attracting over 650,000 fans. The events feature participation from more than 20 Division I conferences and over 4,000 student-athletes, while fostering meaningful partnerships with host communities across the country. Follow ESPN Events on Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube.

Melissa Perlman
BlueIvy Communications
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