NEW ORLEANS (November 6, 2025) – The Allstate Sugar Bowl, in partnership with the College Football Playoff Foundation and School Specialty, surprised Success at Thurgood Marshall charter school in New Orleans with a renovated library on November 3, 2025.
 
The $50,000 project has not only enhanced the library's aesthetic appeal but also enriched the overall experience for students, featuring brand new reading materials and inviting spaces for study and collaboration.
 
"The library makeover was a dream come true for our students and the hardworking teachers that use the space," said Christy Ivie, Executive Director of Success at Thurgood Marshall. "From the flexible seating to the sensory space and student-friendly reading nook, every aspect of the new library design empowers our students to learn, grow and explore. What was once an outdated space is now a powerful learning environment that reflects the beauty and excellence of the students we serve, and supports our mission of happy, healthy lives of unlimited possibility."
 
"We're humbled to work with great partners on projects like this, projects that truly make a difference. The Sugar Bowl has been around for 92 years, and from the outset it was built to support the community," said Jeff Hundley, Allstate Sugar Bowl CEO. "In partnering with organizations like the College Football Playoff Foundation, New Schools for New Orleans, and School Specialty, we're able to assist our teachers, and that directly impacts the future of this city through the students they're serving."
 
"Success at Thurgood Marshall is one of our city's true bright spots through their extraordinary growth. Success Prep now holds a B letter grade, ranks among the top three schools citywide for LEAP improvement, and has helped students recover and surpass pre-pandemic learning levels," said Dana Peterson, CEO of New Schools for New Orleans. "That kind of progress deserves to be celebrated. At New Schools for New Orleans, we are proud to work with the Allstate Sugar Bowl and the College Football Playoff Foundation, whose investment in our schools, educators, and students is matching the excellence happening in these classrooms. Success Prep is a model for what's possible when our city comes together to support our educators and students."
 
In addition to the library renovation, additional funds were provided to upgrade technology throughout the campus and to purchase books to stock the library. Also, a one-thousand-dollar grant was given directly to Mrs. Hedaayah Abdol, a founding teacher who has taught at Success Prep for 16 of her 37 years in education.
 
When asked why Mrs. Abdol was most deserving of this grant, Ivie said, "she represents the best of who we are at Success at Thurgood Marshall. Though she is an experienced teacher who gets life-changing results, she is always eager to grow. She is the epitome of a lifelong learner- constantly reaching out for feedback, honing her craft, trying new strategies, while exhibiting enthusiasm, curiosity, and teamwork along the way. She goes out of her way to lift others up and is always quick with a lighthearted joke or kind comment to brighten your day. Mrs. Abdol is the kind of teacher every child deserves."
 
"It's an honor to collaborate with our partners and the team at Success at Thurgood Marshall to bring this vision to life," said Jeremy Westbrooks, Director of Strategic Account Development at School Specialty. "We hope this vibrant new library inspires students to explore new ideas and provides teachers with a space that supports meaningful engagement every day."
 
About the Allstate Sugar Bowl
The Allstate Sugar Bowl has established itself as one of the premier college football bowl games, having hosted 29 national champions, 110 Hall of Fame players, 55 Hall of Fame coaches and 21 Heisman Trophy winners in its 91-year history. The 92nd Allstate Sugar Bowl Football Classic, which will double as a College Football Playoff Quarterfinal, is scheduled to be played on January 1, 2026. In addition to football, the Sugar Bowl Committee annually invests over $1 million into the community through the hosting and sponsorship of sporting events, awards, scholarships and clinics. Through these efforts, the organization supports and honors thousands of student-athletes each year, while injecting over $2.5 billion into the local economy in the last decade.
 
About College Football Playoff Foundation
The College Football Playoff Foundation (@CFPExtraYard) is the 501(c)3 non profit organization serving as the community engagement arm of the College Football Playoff (@CFBPlayoff) and works in partnership with institutions of higher education, sports organizations, corporations and nonprofits to support educators and improve U.S. student outcomes. The purpose of the CFP Foundation lies in supporting PK-12 education across the country. The CFP Foundation's primary platform, Extra Yard for Teachers, is dedicated to elevating the teaching profession by inspiring and empowering teachers in four core areas: resources, recognition, professional development, recruitment and retention.
 
About New Schools for New Orleans
New Schools for New Orleans (NSNO) is a non-profit that delivers on the promise of excellent public schools for every child in New Orleans. NSNO focuses on solutions and programming addressing city-wide education talent, instructional quality, policy, and communications.
 
About School Specialty, LLC 
With a 60-year legacy, School Specialty is a leading provider of comprehensive learning environment solutions for the pre-K–12 education marketplace in the U.S. and Canada. This includes essential classroom supplies, furniture and design services, educational technology, sensory spaces featuring Snoezelen®, science curriculum, learning resources, professional development, and more. School Specialty believes every student can flourish in an environment where they are engaged and inspired to learn and grow. In support of this vision to transform more than classrooms, the company applies its unmatched team of subject-matter experts and designs, manufactures, and distributes a broad assortment of name-brand and proprietary products. For more information, go to SchoolSpecialty.com.