Aspire Academy received a generous donation aimed at furthering student literacy, thanks to the support of fans and organizations associated with the FUEL Sports Network and BHawk Live. The "Fill the Shelves" initiative sought to stock the school's library with new and gently used books, providing students with more reading options and learning opportunities.
The initiative, which began in March 2024, was sparked when Ed Ploeger from BHawk Live toured Aspire Academy with Principal Katrina Harmon. During the tour, Ploeger noticed the newly remodeled library's empty shelves and was inspired to start the fundraiser.
BHawk Live, a show on the FUEL Sports Network that covers Battlehawks football, rallied fans to donate books. The network, known for its charitable endeavors, encouraged donations starting from the St. Louis Battlehawks Town Hall Meet-n-Greet at Ballpark Village and continuing throughout the Battlehawks' regular season. Fans enthusiastically contributed, resulting in the collection of almost 500 books, with more expected by the end of the season.
To make the donation even more memorable, AJ Surrell, Miss Missouri Volunteer, joined BHawk Live's Jason Spurgeon (aka Dirty), Arlington Lane (aka ATrain), and Ed Ploeger (aka Big Daddy Ed) in presenting the books to Aspire Academy on May 17th. Surrell toured the school with Principal Harmon, meeting students and then reading to a group of young scholars in the school's library.
In addition to the community's donations, the St. Louis Battlehawks also supported literacy at Aspire Academy by offering fans a special QR code to purchase 400-level tickets to any regular-season home game for $19. For each ticket sold using the QR code, the Battlehawks donated $5 to the "Fill the Shelves" initiative. The total donation from the Battlehawks will be determined at the end of the season and presented to Aspire Academy.
BHawk Live's efforts didn't end there. Earlier in the season, they also presented Confluence Academies Athletic Director, Angela Prebianca, with 60 tickets donated by the St. Louis Battlehawks. These tickets were given to student athletes and coaches at Confluence Preparatory Academy and Grand Center Arts Academy, treating them to a full game experience including a tailgate prior to the game.
The Miss Missouri Volunteer program, part of the Miss Volunteer America program, aims to empower young women through educational scholarships, networking opportunities, and industry professional interactions. Surrell was crowned Miss Missouri Volunteer by the program on January 6, showcasing her commitment to service and community involvement.