NEW ORLEANS (December 15, 2025) – The Allstate Sugar Bowl, in partnership with the College Football Playoff Foundation and School Specialty, surprised Emmett Gilbert School of Excellence in Westwego, La., with a renovated library on December 15, 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.
 
"This renovated space reflects who we are at Gilbert, a place where every student, from PreK through 8th grade, feels seen and represented", said Raychell Alexander, principal at Emmett Gilbert School of Excellence. "It provides opportunities for students to conduct research, host live student-led announcements, celebrate our school spirit, and most importantly, experience the joy of learning. Within these walls, students can let their imaginations grow and lose themselves in stories that transport them to new places."
 
In addition to the library renovation, Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley presented Principal Alexander with a $10,000 check to upgrade technology throughout the campus. Also, a one-thousand-dollar grant was given directly to Ms. Reggionne Franklin, a 6^th grade math teacher, to use in her classroom.
 
"The faces of my students when entering the library were priceless! The students of Gilbert now have a safe, welcoming space to explore new ideas", said Franklin. "Having a renovated library means that my students have a space to feel inspired to learn and discover who they are becoming. A modern library gives them access to resources that support their academic growth while also encouraging creativity, curiosity, and rebuilding a love for reading."
 
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.