Netti Biggs uses her green thumb in the classroom

Netti Biggs volunteers every Tuesday morning at Blue River Elementary School and spends many hours a week as a Master Gardener at the Wilderness Science Center, an area where students can study natural habitats. Being a part of the school district is a joy for Biggs, who has been a volunteer in Blue Valley for more than seven years. She believes strongly in the importance of helping in schools. As the grandparent of two Blue Valley students, Biggs has committed herself to being a volunteer and supporting the Blue Valley School District.
It’s people like Biggs who help make the district’s efforts to provide Education Beyond Expectations a reality. Below, Biggs shares her thoughts on why she supports public education.

Q: Why is volunteering in the Blue Valley School District important to you?
A: It’s nice to see how my tax dollars are being used. It’s nice to be involved with different age groups and see what is offered to the students. They’re learning things I wasn’t exposed to until I went to university. I learn something every time I go.

Q: Why do you think it’s important to support public education?
A: I think public education is our hope for the future and by being there on the spot, I can see that some good skills are being acquired by the children – skills they can use for a lifetime.

Q: How do you think your involvement helps make a difference in the school?
A: It’s important for children to realize that it’s not just teachers and their parents that are interested in them. Grandparents, older people and people who may not even have children in schools are interested in what they’re learning and how they’re progressing.

Q: If you could give advice to someone who wants to get involved in their school district, what would you say?
A: Do it! Even if it’s just for one morning a week, do it. There is a place for everyone. Everyone has something they can contribute. It’s nice to see all those young people and their smiling faces.

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David Driskell: How one dedicated fan makes a difference in the lives of kids at Blue Valley High

You can find him in the stands at nearly every game. He’s there at football games, at boys and girls basketball games and at track meets in the spring. David Driskell is a dedicated Blue Valley High School fan. He cheers and encourages every point, but more importantly, he’s there to make sure every student on the field, court or track has someone there to cheer just for them. You can call him Papa Driskell. That’s what many students at Blue Valley High do.

“I think that there are some kids who don’t get the encouragement they need,” Driskell said. “You can help kids by showing up to the games.”

Driskell, a retired Kansas City Power and Light employee, has dedicated his time and his energy to cheering on students at Blue Valley High since he moved to the district with his wife and children in 1973. And since that time, all three of his children have graduated from Blue Valley High and two grandchildren have as well. He also has three more grandchildren in the district. His son, Eric Driskell, is a teacher, assistant football coach and head track coach at Blue Valley High.

Not only is the Blue Valley School District important to Driskell, but supporting public education is as well.

“I feel everyone should support education, the future depends on the education of today's youth.” he said. “We have one of the top districts and it is up to us to support the kids and the district.”

It’s people like Driskell who help make the district’s efforts to provide Education Beyond Expectations a reality and who make a difference in the lives of Blue Valley students. For Driskell, it’s a rewarding experience to go to the games, support the students and the school. He also sees firsthand the impact that his being there can have. Students often come up to him to say hello. Driskell tries to learn the names of as many as he can. Even graduates who come back for game will run up to him in the stands to catch up. That means a lot.

There are games when Driskell sees the opposing team’s stands nearly empty. He knows how much kids need the support of adults and he wishes that the opposing team’s students had people to cheer for them too. Because of how much the kids appreciate having a supporter in the stands, Driskell comes back for nearly every game that he can – just to cheer and support.

“It doesn’t take much to make a difference in the lives of the students,” Driskell said. “Just being there in the stands can help.”

Atlanta Bread Company owner not loafing around

Paul Riekhof, a retired physician and owner of Atlanta Bread Company at 8180 W. 135th Street in Overland Park, believes strongly in the importance of supporting public education. It’s a vital part of our community and our nation’s future, he said. As the grandparent of five Blue Valley students, Riekhof has committed himself and his business to supporting the Blue Valley School District.

It’s people like Riekhof who help make the district’s efforts to provide Education Beyond Expectations a reality. Below, Riekhof shares his thoughts on why he supports public education.

Q: Why is it important to get involved in public education?

A: I feel strongly about education. Education is the key to success for anyone. If our young people aren’t educated, our community isn’t successful.

Q: What is the best part of being involved with Blue Valley?

A: It’s very rewarding to know that we’re doing our small part in helping promote education. One of the most fun events we’ve been a part of was providing food for the All Staff Celebration event that brought all the district’s teachers together at the beginning of the school year. To see all those teachers who are so involved in helping our young people was amazing.

Q: What other thoughts would you like to share about being involved with the public school system?

A: You can’t sit back and say that public education doesn’t help all of us. It benefits us all. You have to have educated young people to help the community be strong and productive. I believe education is the best thing in this country. Anything we do can help promote better schools.

Q: Will you continue to support education in the future?

A: As long as Atlanta Bread Company is here, we’ll always be involved in the Blue Valley School District.