D E T A I L S
A L O O K A T 2 0 2 4
THANK YOU TO OUR 2024 SPONSORS:
Past Spring Breakfast Highlights
2023 - Spring Breakfast at MPAAC
Click through photos of our 2023 Spring Breakfast at Maize Performing Arts and Aquatics Center!
2021 - Virtual Spring Breakfast
PASTRY BOXES
This year, instead of catering an in-person event, we gave a special treat to our guest - a cooking demo from the Maize ProStart students at our Maize Career Academy. Senior Ellie Cannizzo and Junior Ferhat Sbhatu joined us for a discussion at Q/A and told our audience about baking, developing dinner recipes, and competing with other culinary and hospitality management students across the state.
As an extra special treat, the students baked, boxed, and delivered custom pastry boxes to this year’s sponsors. Pastry Boxes sponsored by Credit Union of America, coffee sponsored by PrairieFire Coffee Roasters.
LEGACY HONOREES
We were so pleased to celebrate two wonderful former Maize educators at our 2021 Spring Breakfast event. Thank you to Dr. Chris Botts for helping us honor Deb and Craig Elliott for their efforts, passion, and many, many contributions to the Maize School District during their time serving Maize students and educators.
Deb Elliott was a teacher and counselor at Maize High School in her early years with the Maize School District, and by the time she retired, held the role of Director of Human Resources in a rapidly growing school district. She is most likely remembered for her instrumental role as Principal in the creation of Complete High School Maize, the district's alternative high school program, which has since grown to be recognized as a National School of Character.
Dr. Craig Elliott also held a number of different positions with the Maize School District, most notably that of Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Elliott's leadership was pivotal during a time of rapid growth in the Maize School District and saw the passing of multiple bond elections leading to the addition of a number of schools, including Maize Elementary, Pray-Woodman Elementary, Maize High School and Maize South Middle School. Dr. Elliott continues to impact education by mentoring school superintendents across Kansas.
Thank you Deb and Dr. Craig Elliott for the legacy you have given and the inspiration we continue to receive from your passion for education!
STUDENT PANEL
MSHS Juniors Ben Gorman and Tad Keller joined Travis for a discussion about their experiences with the Foundation’s Student Enrichment Grant Program. The young men shared about their experience with Space Camp, VEX World Robotics, and how these activities have helped them explore career and educational opportunities in line with their futures.
Student grants fund up to $500 toward these and similar activities for Maize students in grades 7-12.
Learn more about our Student Enrichment Grant programs here or contact Travis Bloom at tbloom@usd266.com.
1-1 WITH DR HIGGINS
Superintendent of Maize Schools, Dr. Chad Higgins, joined Executive Director, Travis Bloom, for a 1-on-1 discussion about the past year, the ways in which the Maize Education Foundation supports the district, and ways that area businesses, sponsors, and community partners can help the Foundation and the District continue providing educational opportunities to Maize students.
2019 - Inaugural Spring Breakfast
CHSM POP-UP SHOP
The students of Complete High School Maize’s General Store set up a pop-up shop for our guests to see an example of the Foundation’s funding in action. Led by teacher, Michelle Hilliard (2019 Kansas Master Teacher), the students are gaining amazing experiences and building strong relationships with the residents of Reflection Ridge Retirement Community while earning high school credit.
DR. RANDY WATSON KEYNOTE SPEAKER
We were incredibly honored to have Kansas Commissioner of Education, Dr. Randy Watson, join us and deliver a wonderful and inspiring message. Dr. Watson shares our vision of education crafted in partnership with the citizens and businesses of our school community, and his message motivated many in the audience to begin finding ways they and their companies can start getting involved with the Maize School District to provide much-needed opportunities for students to gain direct access and knowledge of all the job and career opportunities available to them.
