Phillies All-Star Teacher Reunites with Students After Medical Leave

In honor of Teacher’s Appreciation Day presented by Independence Blue Cross, the Phillies made their way over to Boothwyn Elementary School in Boothwyn, Pa., to surprise Mr. Scott Messick, one of this year’s All-Star Teachers.

Mr. Messick has been on leave for multiple months with a rare form of appendix cancer, and has not his students and fellow teachers in that time. On Friday morning, Boothwyn Elementary held a pep rally under the guise of recording a hype video for Mr. Messick.

In reality, he was being celebrated as a Phillies All-Star Teacher. The emotional reunion included a red-carpet entrance, along with the presentation of a custom Phillies jersey by emcee and team ambassador Scott Palmer and the Phillies Ballgirls.

Additionally, the Phillie Phanatic and 1993 National League champion Mickey Morandini, along with IBX Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Koleen Cavanaugh, were in attendance to present Mr. Messick with an All-Star Liberty Bell, featuring his career teaching stats.

During the celebration, music teacher Holly Bragg read out the essay that she wrote to the Phillies, which was selected from hundreds of All-Star Teacher nominations. Ms. Bragg was joined by Principal Stacie Hall, who was integral in orchestrating the surprise.

The event concluded with a ceremonial first pitch for Mr. Messick’s children, and an MVP victory lap for Mr. Messick and his fellow teachers.

The event came in advance of that evening’s Teacher Appreciation Night presented by Independence Blue Cross at Citizens Bank Park, where Mr. Messick joined nine local All-Star Teachers to be honored before the game against the Colorado Rockies.