(Chelsea Update would like to thank Amy Forehand for the information in this story.)
The energy was electric, the rivalry was fierce, and community spirit was more vibrant than ever.
Throughout August and September, the Chelsea Education Foundation (CEF) and the Educational Foundation of Dexter (EFD) went head-to-head in the much-anticipated Rivalry Match fundraising competition. Together, the foundations rallied their communities to raise vital funds for educational grants supporting students in Chelsea and Dexter.
The excitement reached its grand finale on Sept. 26, during the Chelsea vs. Dexter football game at Al Ritt Stadium in Dexter—where both communities showed unmatched passion and generosity.
And what a showdown it was. Dexter raised $27,005, while Chelsea raised $25,075, making this year’s total an incredible $52,080 raised for education. On the field, Dexter clinched victory with a score of 42–28. But at the end of the day, everyone won—proving that when it comes to supporting students, the real champions are the communities themselves.
Nicole Rouech, president of EFD, said: “We are beyond grateful to our amazing Dexter community and all the supporters who rallied behind EFD this year. The Rivalry Match keeps getting bigger and better, and we were thrilled to see so many new faces join us. Most importantly, the real victory is for our students. Thanks to everyone who contributed, EFD can fund educational programs that truly make a difference in every school across Dexter. A huge shoutout to CEF for being such a fantastic partner in this effort.”
This collaboration between CEF and EFD is rooted in a shared mission of enhancing educational experiences for students—funding teacher-authored projects, district-wide initiatives, and, in CEF’s case, scholarships for graduating seniors.
Amy Forehand, president of CEF, said: “Our partnership with EFD is truly special. Each year, we have so much fun collaborating, competing, and bringing out the best in each other to make this event a success. We are deeply appreciative of the outpouring of generosity from both communities. The Rivalry Match is about more than just competition—it’s about coming together to support our students, and these funds will have a lasting impact on educational opportunities in Chelsea.”
The success of this year’s Rivalry Match was also made possible by the tremendous support of local businesses who stepped up as event sponsors.
Chelsea Sponsors: Gold Sponsors – Diane Kieliszewski – Edward Jones, John and Donna Daniels, SBK Orthodontics; and Blue Sponsors – Chelsea State Bank, Clark Construction Company, Esquire Interiors, Hatch Stamping Company, and Kingscott.
Dexter Sponsors: Touchdown Sponsors – Pearl Planning, Hackney Hardware, Beacon Dental, Dexter Orthodontics, and Chelsea State Bank; and Field Goal Sponsors – Dexter Lions Club and LaFontaine Chevrolet of Dexter.
Game Day Touchdown Sponsor: Steele Heating and Cooling, who donated each time a touchdown was scored during the game.
Once again, the Rivalry Match proved that when communities come together, incredible things happen. Through friendly competition and shared commitment, Chelsea and Dexter demonstrated the power of unity, creating opportunities for educational excellence that will inspire students for years to come.
The Education Foundations will continue fundraising efforts throughout the year. To learn more and join their missions, visit:
🌐 www.chelseaeducationfoundation.org
🌐 www.efdexter.org
