22 FEBRUARY 2025 By Sherry Sklar Fiesta Bowl Charities received a record 4,000 applications for its Wishes for Teachers program this year, which granted $2,500 to 500 deserving teachers across Arizona. Hopi Elementary fifth-grade teachers Laura Mitchell and Margo Shein and Tavan Elementary second- and third-grade gifted teacher Michelle Moreno Bilger are the three Arcadia recipients of the 2024-2025 Fiesta Bowl Wishes for Teachers grants. At first, the trio did not believe they had won, mistaking the initial notifications for spam. Realizing after repeated prompts that the emails were legitimate, the winners’ disbelief morphed into delight. “We thought that two applications might be better than one and increase our chances. We couldn’t believe that we both received the grant,” Mitchell said. “We thought, ‘if both of us apply, maybe one of us will get it.’ And then we both got it. We were amazed!” Since its creation in 2016, the program has addressed critical funding gaps, helping teachers who often spend their own money on classroom materials. In 2023, the program expanded to distribute $1.25 million annually, benefiting 84 cities and towns, 380 schools, and 108 districts statewide. Teachers were honored during Draft Day at the Fiesta Bowl Museum and celebrated at the Rate Bowl halftime show in December. Mitchell plans to use the award to organize a Family STEM Night that will feature interactive experiments and activities. She said she’s grateful for the funding, which allows her to order supplies through nonprofit DonorsChoose. She notes that the award makes organizing an event of this scale easier, without relying on the PTA or school resources. “Funding like this allows us to be more innovative in the classroom,” she said. “Supplies are needed for the program’s science stations, including math games, prizes, and giveaways, so a lot is involved, and this grant is a tremendous help.” Shein will use some of her award money for STEM Night but has plans for the remaining funds, including a refresh of classroom supplies like whiteboards and clipboards, and a binding machine to repair fragile books. Bilger said she will use the funds to improve the physical classroom for her gifted learners. “I’m creating a comfortable environment for my second and third grade students,” she said. “We need voice-cancelling headphones, a cool- down area, and light shades to create an environment where gifted learners can excel and fully engage.” Bilger cites a need for essentials like a whiteboard, dry markers, erasers, and bookshelves to organize classroom materials, as these items will create an accessible learning environment. As Arcadia’s teachers innovate and inspire, programs like Fiesta Bowl Wishes for Teachers – thanks to the generosity of community-driven initiatives – ensure they have the tools to succeed. “Opportunities like this are invaluable,” Bilger said. “This grant has helped me enhance my classroom where my students can thrive academically, emotionally and socially.” Fiesta Sports Foundation has supported and celebrated educators statewide, granting more than 2,600 Arizona teachers $8.25 million in wishes in the past nine years. fiestabowl.org $1.25M awarded to teachers across the state – including three of Arcadia’s own Celebrating Arizona’s educators Michelle Bilger Margo Shein believe they had won, mistaking activities. She said she’s grateful for the funding, which allows her to order supplies through nonprofit DonorsChoose. She notes that Laura Mitchell J M Chapman Agency Inc Jay Chapman, Agent Bus: (480) 945-7122 7055 E Thomas Rd Scottsdale, AZ 85251 jchapman@amfam.com American Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. & its Operating Companies, 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 ©2015 006441 – Rev. 2/20 – 12923221 CALL (480) 945-7122 FOR A NO-OBLIGATION FREE QUOTE. INSURANCE DESIGNED WITH YOU AND YOUR DREAMS IN MIND. J M Chapman Agency Inc Jay Chapman, Agent Bus: (480) 990-8855 7055 E Thomas Rd Scottsdale, AZ 85251 jchapman@amfam.com American Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. & its Operating Companies, 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 ©2015 006441 – Rev. 2/20 – 12923221 CALL (480) 945-7122 FOR A NO-OBLIGATION FREE QUOTE. INSURANCE DESIGNED WITH YOU AND YOUR DREAMS IN MIND. J M Chapman Agency Inc Jay Chapman, Agent Bus: (480) 945-7122 7055 E Thomas Rd Scottsdale, AZ 85251 jchapman@amfam.com American Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. & its Operating Companies, 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 ©2015 006441 – Rev. 2/20 – 12923221 CALL (480) 945-7122 FOR A NO-OBLIGATION FREE QUOTE. INSURANCE DESIGNED W YOU AND YOUR DREAMS MIND. INSURANCE DESIGNED WITH YOU AND YOUR DREAMS IN MIND. CALL (480) 990-8855 FOR A NO-OBLIGATION FREE QUOTE.