Wasabi Fenway Bowl announces grants to 15 New England educators as part of annual award

BOSTON, MA – The Wasabi Fenway Bowl today announced 15 New England educators, administrators, and staff who have been selected as grant recipients for the 2024 Honor Roll, a charitable program connected to the annual bowl game at Fenway Park recognizing educators who have gone above and beyond to support their students and respective communities. The three top finalists from Boston and Burlington, Massachusetts and Calais, Maine will each be awarded $5,000 grants, and 12 semifinalists will each receive $250 grants to support their schools and classrooms.

In addition to finalists and semifinalists, the Wasabi Fenway Bowl will provide each of the more than 1,200 Honor Roll nominees with two complimentary tickets to the December 28 bowl game, where they will be recognized for their dedication to their school communities.

The 2024 Honor Roll awards bring the grant total by the Wasabi Fenway Bowl to more than $130,000 for over 140 educators across New England. The grants are provided by the Wasabi Fenway Bowl in partnership with Sam Adams, Amica Insurance, Moderna, and Meet Boston.

“Recognizing and celebrating the amazing work of educators through the Honor Roll program is one of the most rewarding parts of the Wasabi Fenway Bowl,” said Michael Welts, Chief Marketing Officer, Wasabi Technologies. “The dedication these honorees have to their schools and communities highlights the profound impact educators have in shaping the lives of their students for the better.”

“We’re thrilled to continue recognizing the incredible work of educators through the Wasabi Fenway Bowl Honor Roll,” said Brett Miller, Executive Director, Wasabi Fenway Bowl. “This year’s honorees are extraordinary in their ability to inspire and connect with their students. Their commitment to fostering supportive and dynamic learning environments is something we are proud to champion as they make a positive difference in their schools and communities.”

2024 Monster Finalists:

• Joshua Ifebhor, paraprofessional at Higginson-Lewis K-8 School in Boston, MA.

Joshua is an exceptional paraprofessional whose dedication to student growth extends far beyond the classroom. Joshua not only provides academic support but also mentors through basketball, helping student-athletes reach their full potential. He is the founder and coach of Boston Badgers Elite, a coed AAU middle school basketball team, where he emphasizes personal, athletic, and academic development. Joshua’s commitment to fostering well-rounded student-athletes is evident in the demanding training regimens, team culture, and academic accountability he instills. His passion for his students is exemplified by his encouragement of students to be the best versions of themselves. Both in the classroom and on the court, Joshua inspires, mentors, and supports students and makes a positive impact on their lives and the broader community.

• Rick Sheehan, Assistant Principal at Burlington High School in Burlington, MA.

As assistant principal at Burlington High School and coach of the Lady Devils Girls Hockey team, Rick is a dedicated leader who goes above and beyond for his players and students. He not only teaches hockey skills but also instills values of discipline, perseverance, and teamwork, shaping his athletes into better students and community members. Rick spends countless hours fundraising and using his own resources to provide equipment and support, from team dinners to safety gear. He fosters a sense of community by organizing tutoring and rides for younger players and honors the memory of an alumni player through an annual charity game. His leadership has helped the Lady Devils break records and build a strong following, while his role as assistant principal makes him a trusted mentor and role model for students, always offering a safe space and a listening ear.

• Lauren Remington, Early Childhood Education Instructor at St. Croix Regional Technical Center in Calais, ME.

Lauren goes above and beyond to ensure her students succeed, offering not only academic support but also emotional care, creating a safe and nurturing environment in her classroom. Lauren’s commitment to her students’ success is seen in her personalized approach, including helping students overcome public speaking fears or balancing school and work. Beyond the classroom, she has created concurrent enrollment opportunities with local colleges, secured additional credentials for her students, and hosted community events. Lauren also dedicates her summers to running a youth basketball camp, all while serving as a certified basketball official and staying involved in local youth sports. Her tireless efforts strengthen school programming, along with her passion for student well-being and her role as a mother of three make her a remarkable educator and role model in her community.

2024 Semi-finalists:

• Amy Berinato, Boston Latin Academy, Boston, MA
• Andrea Dicicco, Cranston East High School, Cranston, RI
• Angela Egan, Silver Lane Elementary, East Hartford, CT
• Ben Owens, North Reading High School, North Reading, MA
• Brittney Freckleton-Crawford, Granite High School, Newport, NH
• Cherrie MacInnes, Greely Middle School, Cumberland, ME
• David Helmin, Ellington High School, Ellington, CT
• Georgie Robinson, McKelvie Intermediate School, Bedford, NH
• Mattie Jernigan, Educare Central Maine, Waterville, ME
• Lyn Porter, Williston Primary School, Williston, VT
• Kelly Rose Conaty, Milton High School, Milton, MA
• Cathleen Farrell, Beginning Years Child Development Center, Medfield, MA

More information about the Wasabi Fenway Bowl Honor Roll and Monster Finalists can be found by visiting fenwaybowl.com/honorroll. The 3^rd annual Wasabi Fenway Bowl, produced by Fenway Park Events and ESPN Events, will be played Saturday, December 28 at 11 a.m. ET at Fenway Park. More information on the Wasabi Fenway Bowl can be found at www.fenwaybowl.com, on Facebook or on Twitter and Instagram @FenwayBowl. Tickets for the 2024 Wasabi Fenway Bowl will be available on November 1^st.

About Wasabi Technologies

Recognized as one of the technology industry’s fastest growing companies, Wasabi is on a mission to store the world’s data by making cloud storage affordable, predictable and secure. With Wasabi, visionary companies gain the freedom to use their data whenever they like without being hit with unpredictable fees or vendor lock-in. Instead, they’re free to build best-of-breed solutions with the industry’s fastest-growing ecosystem of independent cloud application partners. Customers and partners all over the world trust Wasabi to help them put their data to work so they can unlock their full potential. Visit wasabi.com to learn more.