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Birds and Bulls Gala

The Birds and Bulls Gala aims to bring together supporters of the Maize Education Foundation and Maize USD 266 for an elegant evening of fundraising. Funds raised will benefit Student Enrichment Grants, Challenge Grants, Teacher Appreciation initiatives, and more.

Presented by Credit Union of America, this sweetheart-themed event promises a magical evening filled with a plated dinner, dessert buffet, open bar, live & silent auctions, and entertainment featuring Maize USD 266 employees.

Attire is cocktail, so dress to impress and join us for a night to remember. Tickets are on sale now and expected to sell out—don’t wait!


 

Join us Feb. 13, 2025 for Birds and Bulls: A Sweetheart Gala

at Prairie Hill Vineyard

Centerpiece at the Gala made up of a lantern, red candles, and greenery

2025 Birds and Bulls Gala Sponsors

Presenting Sponsor:
Credit Union of America

Credit Union of America Logo with the slogan: Serving Educators Since 1935

 

Gala Sponsors:

Building Controls and Services logo
City of Maize logo
Cristy Kerbs ReeceNichols logo
Farmers Insurance Morrison Agency logo
Foley Rental logo
Four Star Lawn Care logo
Holmberg Wellness Group logo
Hutton Construction logo
Invenergy logo
Kruse Corporation logo
The Pando Initiative Logo
Project Teacher logo
Schaefer Architecture logo
Scooters Brew Crew Logo
Wilson Building Maintenance logo

Reflecting on the 2024 Birds and Bulls Gala

Presented by our friends at Credit Union of America, our inaugural gala raised over $37,000 to support Maize USD 266!

Two couples pose for a photo at the photobooth
Three women and two men pose in formalwear
number 19
Maize Education Foundation Director makes opening remarks on stage
A table of wine and whiskey bottles for sale to raise funds
A table set for the Birds and Bulls Gala
A woman is excited during the game show
A couple poses at the photobooth
A couple poses for a photo
Maize Education Foundation Vice President Dr. Lyndsey Brown gives opening remarks from the stage
Guests peruse the silent auction
An elegantly plated dish of steak, chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, and mixed vegetables
Maize USD 266 administrators compete in the game show
A group of volunteers pose for a photo
2 men on stage
Two guests pose with an Avery Johnson autographed football that they won in the silent auction
Flowers arranged by Maize agriculture students make the perfect centerpieces
people in black suits
Guests enjoy the live auction
A spread of cookies, parfaits, cupcakes, and pies made by Maize culinary students
Three guests smile for a photo
Maize Education Foundation volunteers check guests in at the beginning of the night
Maize USD 266 Superintendent Dr. Raquel Greer gives a speech on stage
Auctioneer Tyler Francis leads the live auction
A couple poses for a photo
Two guests pose with a certificate for a custom playhouse which they won in the silent auction
A sign greets guests into the silent auction

Fully Funded Educator Grants

With the support of our guests, the Maize Education Foundation was able to fully fund three grants for educators at the inaugural Birds and Bulls Gala. Read on to learn about the programs we funded together!

3D Printer Club

Kim Lehner is the Library Media Specialist at Maize Intermediate School where she teaches 660 students every week about books, digital citizenship, research, and technology. She has a passion for 3D printing and teaching 3D modeling, which began when she was a 5th grade teacher at Maize Central Elementary. At the inaugural Birds and Bulls Gala, our guests fully funded a 3D printer for Kim's classroom. Now, Kim can open her students' world to 3D printing and all the possibilities that come with it while improving their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.

Playground StoryWalk

In the library media center at Pray-Woodman Elementary School, learners strive to gain knowledge, make connections, and lead. The Pray-Woodman School Media Center wishes to foster a love of reading and life-long learning in our students. With that in mind, guests at the 2024 Birds and Bulls Gala fully funded a StoryWalk for the Pray-Woodman Elementary School playground. A StoryWalk involves taking a children’s picture book, laminating it and mounting it on angled aluminum posts around the playground. Students walk along the StoryWalk path to discover another page, and then another as they read the story and participate in coordinating physical and/or literacy inspired activities. This initiative serves as an important opportunity to enhance literacy, promote physical movement, improve mental health and grow our reader leaders at Pray-Woodman School.

Computin' Numbers in Mathematics

Before the gala, only a few classrooms at Maize Middle School had a small stash of calculators, which caused many students to miss opportunities to complete math homework and excel further in their mathematics education. At the 2024 Birds and Bulls Gala, guests fully funded 200 calculators for the Maize Middle School math department. The calculators benefit general education students, and have proven to help students with learning disabilities understand concepts. Using calculators benefits all students, especially those who might otherwise be unable to participate in engaging math activities.