Recipients of Willis Knighton/Independence Bowl Foundation Community Service Scholarship Announced

SHREVEPORT, La. (Dec. 10, 2025) – This year marks the 20th year that Willis Knighton Health and the Independence Bowl Foundation have partnered to present the Willis Knighton/Independence Bowl Community Service Scholarship to one graduating senior from Caddo Parish and one from Bossier Parish, and the 2025 recipients are Ishmael Swiney from Captain Shreve High School and Avery Claire Brignac from Benton High School.

The scholarship increased to $5,000 apiece – up from $2,500 previously. The two scholarships are awarded every year to one graduating senior from Caddo Parish and one from Bossier Parish based on academic success and commitment to improving the community through service. $95,000 in scholarships have been awarded over those 19 years of the program.

Swiney and Brignac will be honored during Bowl Week in front of Independence Bowl Foundation sponsors, officials and the two participating universities at the Chairman’s VIP Reception during Bowl Week and at the 49th Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl on Tuesday, December 30 at 1 p.m. 

Swiney – the Caddo Parish recipient – excels in the classroom with a 4.02 current grade point average (GPA) while taking Honors and AP coursework the past two years. His classroom success has brought him many honors – including making him part of the National Honor Society and PTSA Distinguished Scholars. He earned an Oratory Public Speaking Award this year.

Outside of the classroom, Swiney has been a leader amongst Captain Shreve and the organizations he has been a part of. He was the Freshman Class President and has been involved in the Black Studies Association all four years of high school, including being Vice President of the organization. He has also been involved in the G.L.U.E. Initiative the past three years, including one year as Vice President and two years as President. 

Along with his academic excellence, Swiney has been very involved in the community. His most extensive community service work has come as a 4-H Ignite Ambassador and with the Caddo DA Leadership Academy. Swiney was selected by 4-H to represent Louisiana youth at the national conference in Washington D.C., and he has helped coordinate the Caddo DA Leadership Academy the past two years – designing and leading workshops that focus on civic engagement, leadership and decision making by middle schoolers.

Brignac – Bossier Parish’s recipient – has a tremendous reputation academically with an astounding 4.4 GPA. She has been a part of the Bossier Parish Talented Program and Bossier Parish Gifted Program all four years of high school, and she has maintained her number one overall class rank all four years. She received a 30+ ACT Score Banner and the Dean’s Scholarship at Ole Miss. Brignac received the Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award and served as a Gingerbread House Spokesperson this year.

Being involved in different organizations at Benton High and in the community is important to Brignac. She has been a member of the Benton Tennis Team all four years of high school and has been a Benton High School Tiger Girl the last three years. She has also been a member of the Beta Club and National Honor Society the past two years. All four years, she has been involved with Random Acts of Kindness, First Priority and the Student Council – including serving as the Student Council Secretary last year. Brignac has been heavily involved with Vicki’s School of Dance and Cypress Student Ministry, as well.

Brignac knows the importance of serving her community and communities around the world. Her most extensive community service has come through KidsKamp at Camp Bethany, Penny Lane Nursery and mission trips. At KidzKamp, she served by helping lead campers from second to sixth grade to Christ. She also went on a mission trip to Merida, Mexico. At Penny Lane Nursery, she was a volunteer who helped with three-year-olds at Cypress Baptist.

The 49th Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl kicks off on Tuesday, December 30 at 1 p.m. CST between Coastal Carolina and Louisiana Tech. Tickets start at $20 and are on sale now at RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com/Tickets. There is a variety of ticket packages available – including individual tickets, group tickets, Pizza Hut Family 4-Packs, Small Business Fan Packs and more. For ticketing questions, fans can email [email protected] or call the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl office at (318) 221-0712. 

For information on Independence Stadium rules and the clear bag policy, please visit RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com/stadium-rules/. Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl fans can visit OpportunityLouisiana.com to explore why Louisiana businesses are positioned to win. 

ABOUT THE RADIANCE TECHNOLOGIES INDEPENDENCE BOWL™

Established in 1976, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl™ is college football’s 11th most historic bowl game. The 49th edition will kick off on Tuesday, December 30 at 1 p.m. CST on ESPN. Radiance Technologies is the bowl’s title sponsor through at least the 2027 Bowl Season. The bowl’s conference and television agreements also run through the 2025 bowl game. 

The Independence Bowl Foundation is prevalent in the Shreveport-Bossier City area throughout the year, hosting events to help enhance the economic impact and growth of our community. The Mission of the Independence Bowl is to attract and provide quality, nationally recognized football competition oriented to the Ark-La-Tex region. For more information, visit RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com or follow the bowl on Facebook, X and Instagram at @IndyBowl.