All eyes were on New Orleans in February when Super Bowl LIX took over the city. But something more impactful was happening about an hour down the road — at a small, under-resourced school in Garyville, Louisiana. 

There, NFL legend Troy Vincent, his wife Tommi, and a dedicated team of partners — sponsored in part by the NFL and NFL Legends Community — brought a powerful week of surprises and resources to the students of Garyville/Mt. Airy Math and Science Magnet School. It promises to change the students’ lives forever. 

What they did for the teachers was pretty amazing, too.

A school full of talent that needed more

Garyville Magnet is located in a high-poverty area of Louisiana, serving the students of St. John the Baptist Parish. Dr. Kara Lawson is the school’s passionate principal, dedicated to helping each student find their own unique talents and greatness — no matter what.

But it’s been an uphill battle. Resources are scarce, and teachers lack much of the equipment necessary to effectively teach the school’s science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) curriculum.

So, when the school learned it had been selected for this year’s Vincent Country Safe Zone Activity Day, the reaction was emotional.

“I get a phone call from Tommi and Troy Vincent,” Lawson said. “I was speechless, but I did yell, ‘Yes!’”

The Vincents said they selected Garyville Math and Science Magnet School because of what they saw and felt while visiting the campus.

“When we came on this campus and had an opportunity to experience the environment and to engage with Dr. Lawson, we knew that we needed to come alongside of her, to help her vision to come forward,” Tommi said.

By getting to know her and what her school actually needed, the Vincents were able to tailor solutions to Garyville’s unique situation.

“They told me to dream big,” Lawson said.

Dreams fulfilled … and then some

The team arrived with much-needed donations from a wish list, but they delivered so much more.

It started with a beautiful hand-painted mural sponsored by Zebra Technologies, featuring real Garyville students to inspire school spirit. Then, a collection of Chromebooks powered by Khan Academy, so the students can master STEM subjects while learning at their own pace. There was also a surprise field day, with game stations provided by Cigna Healthcare for the students and superstars joining in right alongside them.

But it was the personalized touches that met their biggest needs, such as mind-body wellness activities sponsored by Evernorth Behavioral Health and free vision screenings. Of all the students screened, 81% needed and received glasses provided by Cigna Healthcare Vision.

“Now they can see what’s happening in the classroom,” Lawson said. “They’re now empowered to learn at their level. I’ve never experienced anything like this in my 26-year teaching career.”

A surprise for the teachers 

As for the teachers, they were whisked away on a surprise trip where a partnership with the STEM Library Lab — a local nonprofit providing STEM equipment and empowering educators — was revealed. They were granted access to the library,  to resources, and they even got a pass to the free teacher store stocked with classroom supplies — all for the next 3 1/2 years.

“This is huge,” Lawson said. “Those barriers that impact student progress have just been eliminated.”

Powered by partnerships

Now in its ninth year, the Vincents established Vincent Country Safe Zone Activity Day because they know personally the impact education can have on young people.

“Both Tommi and I come from the public school systems in Trenton, New Jersey, and there were teachers that impacted our lives, and we wanted to give back to young men and women what adults gave back to us,” Troy said. “Your pathway to success comes from education.”

And while the Vincents are the face of the event, its success is made possible by a powerful network of partners who are equally passionate about empowering the next generation to reach their full potential.

Tommi said they realized that to make a difference in education, it would have to begin with local relationships. So they connected with people on the ground, and Vincent Country Safe Zone Activity Day was born.

“You have collective efforts with people that are like-minded, go to different places, and make long-term impact,” Troy said.

Lawson is overwhelmed with gratitude — and even more enthusiastic about her students’ futures after the experience.

“You’re going to see my students reach their full potential,” Lawson said. “And so I know that the future is even brighter for all of my teachers and my students because of what I experienced today.”

The Stand Together community partners with changemakers who are tackling the root causes of America’s biggest problems.

Learn more about Stand Together's education efforts and explore ways you can partner with us.