Springtime Celebration
The Blue Springs Education Foundation (BSEF) celebrated those who have made outstanding contributions to BSSD and recognized achievements from students and staff at the annual Spring into Giving Breakfast.
The breakfast honors local donors and partners and the educational opportunities their support makes possible. Through the support of its many donors, the BSEF has awarded a record $90,000+ in grants to teachers and BSSD schools this year.
Blue Springs South High School senior Kaleb Ray served as co-emcee with BSSDTV director Pete Grigsby.
Student performers highlighted the event. The BSSHS Jazz 1 Band welcomed guests as they arrived, Jaguar All-State Choir members Isaac Azimi-Tabrizi, Sydney Dilks, Elysia Gonzalez, Ellie Simpson, and Darryl Wesley sang the National Anthem and the event closed with a selection from the Blue Springs High School Orchestra of Elijah Barnes, Rane Erickson, Sam Lamb, and Joseph Parish.
This year’s Spotlight on Giving honoree is former BSEF Executive Director Katie Woolf. Serving for 11 years, Woolf, along with BSEF board members, grew the foundation to over $3 million, started the Grow Your Own Teachers program, supported mental health initiatives, doubled classroom grant awards, grew staff scholarship opportunities, and tripled staff giving participation.
The Spotlight on Teaching Award went to English Language Learners teacher Amy Delaney. Amy is a teacher for Brittany Hill Middle School and Moreland Ridge Middle School. The honor recognizes exceptional BSSD teachers who go the extra mile for their students and fellow staff, and provides a $1,000 classroom grant.
Thank you to our major donors:
JE Dunn Construction
The Duvall Family
Newkirk Novak Construction Partners
Powell CWM, Inc.
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
Hollis + Miller Architects
Joe and Sarah Kinder
Major Saver
Mid-American Sports Construction
SynLawn Kansas City
Oswald Rew LLC
Tandem Paving
Lyle and Grace Shaver
Bill and Pam Wrisinger
Yellow Dog Networks, Inc.
CBIZ
Kennedy’s Custom Jewelers
Martin Underground
Meyers Funeral Chapel
Piper Sandler
Saint Luke’s East Hospital