Bishop Stang Football Seniors Honor Teachers With Custom Jerseys

The holiday season is all about giving, and that is precisely what the seniors on the Bishop Stang High School football team did for their teachers.

Senior players surprised some teachers with shirts as the school prepared for its Thanksgiving game on November 22.

They were not just any shirts but custom jerseys made with their football numbers, gifted to teachers who significantly impacted them and their lives at Stang.

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A video of the gift exchange was also uploaded onto the school website and has gone viral since. Between Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, there have been over 20,000 views on social media.

The video captures the students walking into a classroom and handing the teacher the gift. After revealing the shirts, you can see teachers embracing students with hugs, some even with tears in their eyes, full of appreciation and gratitude.

"It was a real blessing to receive this gift. My class was in front of me when they came in, and it was hard not to cry. I call my students my kids because I love them like my own," said theology teacher Amanda Tarantelli.

Senior Jack Durost shared with WBSM the impact his teacher had on him during his years at Bishop Stang, which inspired his decision for his jersey.

"Every time I leave Mrs. Tarantelli's room, I always have a smile on my face. She's so welcoming and always has something nice to say," he said.

"She truly listens to what you have to say and is always there to support you or drop in her opinion on your predicament," Durost said.

Many other teachers expressed gratitude for the surprise from one of their students. English teacher Lauren Pratt believes that this gift is more than a jersey. It is a reminder of the impact teachers can have on students.

"This jersey will serve as a reminder of how privileged I am to do the work that I do; it is a reminder that I have hopefully made even a small impact in my students' lives and will continue to do so in the future," she said.

"This memory is definitely a highlight of my career," she added.

As the season of giving continues, Durost hopes that this story can inspire everyone to practice an act of kindness not just during the holidays but every day.

"Others should strive to be welcoming to everyone as you never know what the other person is going through, and the little act of kindness you give to them could mean more than you know to them," he said.