Jeffers Hill Teachers Win Tickets to Sunday's Ravens Game

When the Baltimore Ravens play the New England Patriots in Sunday's American Football Conference championship game, the weight of Ravens Nation will be resting squarely on the shoulders of two Jeffers Hill Elementary School teachers.

Fifth-grade teacher Drew DiMaggio and gifted and talented teacher Wendy Strawhorn won seats on a chartered plane and tickets to the big game by stopping by a Purple Friday Caravan pep rally on Friday at the Giant grocery store on Centre Park Drive.

The two educators were able to attend the 1:30 p.m. event because Howard County public schools closed early Friday afternoon.

"We made a pact when we came in the store," Strawhorn said. "If he won, he'd take me and if I won, I'd take him."

When the winning number — 668676 — was drawn, DiMaggio raised up his arms in victory and walked through a crowd of about 200 fans who high-fived him until he reached the Ravens official who handed him the coveted prize.

Ravens account executive Kate Kasabula handed DiMaggio a Ravens folder with all the necessary paperwork he and Strawhorn would need to board a charter plane and attend the game between the Patriots and the Ravens.

It will be a whirlwind trip in which they fly up and back on Sunday.

But the prize comes with a heavy burden.

"Your biggest responsibility is bringing back a win," Kasabula told the two teachers.

Both winners live in Elkridge — in separate residences, Strawhorn was quick to point out.

They said their Jeffers Hill students will be thrilled to learn of the prize their teachers won.

Asked about the weight of the responsibility of bringing back a victory for the home team, DiMaggio shrugged as if it were no big deal.

"It's not a problem," he said. "I think they're going to do it."