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A breakfast for champions

words jill sederstrom

With a guest list that includes honored educators, virtuous students and one of the country's most well-known basketball coaches, this year's Blue Valley Educational Foundation Community Breakfast is sure to be a true breakfast of champions. 

University of Kansas Men's Basketball Coach Bill Self will be a featured speaker at the foundation's largest fundraising event of the year where he will discuss what it means to have character both on and off the court. 

But Self won't be the only example of someone with strong character in attendance. In fact, the room will be filled with Wheaties boxes covered with the faces of Blue Valley students and staff members who also exhibit the same trait. As part of the breakfast, which is to be held Aug. 28, a staff member and a student from each of Blue Valley's more than 30 schools will be honored as Sunflower Ambassadors. The award is a special distinction given to those within the district who exhibit the seven Blue Valley Virtues of compassion, courage, honesty, perseverance, respect, responsibility and self-discipline. 

 "The whole theme of the event is 'Breakfast for Champions,'" says Laura Harsch, a communication specialist for the Blue Valley Educational Foundation.

The Blue Valley Educational Foundation's goal is to help supplement the needs of district
students through additional programs and teacher
grants. According to Executive Director Kate
Allen, the community breakfast is the Foundation's signature event to raise money to fund educational grants and programs within the district.  

The breakfast has helped BVEF raise $180,000 each year for the past two years, but with the current economic conditions, Allen says this year's figure may not be that high. 

"It's just a tough time, but we're really excited about this year's event," she says. 

In addition to the speech by Self, Blue Valley Superintendent Tom Trigg is also expected to give his "State of the District" address during the breakfast, and BVEF plans to honor all the corporate sponsors who help the Foundation achieve its mission each year. 

"It's truly a community celebration," Allen says. 

Harsch says she hopes people leave the breakfast, which will be held at the Overland Park Convention Center, feeling happy and motivated. 

"I think it will be very uplifting, very positive," she says. 

To learn more about the Blue Valley Educational Foundation or to purchase individual or corporate tickets to the breakfast, visit www.bvef.org.

words: Jill Sederstrom