Recognizing Community Partners

  • Originating as an employee recognition program, the Bluejay Way Award began as a way to celebrate staff members who are kind, compassionate, and go the extra mile to support our students in a positive way. Expanding on this concept, the Bluejay Way Community Partner Award is intended to recognize outstanding Bondurant-Farrar community members or organizations who have positively impacted the school district or student experience. 

    Both recognition programs, staff and community, are made possible through partnership with Sheena Cochran-Foster of Remax Hilltop and Homes for Heroes. Through this partnership, recipients receive a framed certificate, custom mug, and a gift card.


Bluejay Way Community Partner Award Recipients

  • Dan Berggren

    On January 26, 2024, Dan Berggren was presented with the Bluejay Way Community Partner Award for his leadership with the youth Bluejay Basketball Club.

    "Dan started the club in 2014, and his efforts have contributed significantly to the success of our high school basketball teams - with the girls making state tournament appearances, and the boys clinching a state championship. Beginning originally with only Bondurant teams, the club now boasts 72 teams, including 21 from Bondurant with 213 players in grades 3rd-6th. Dan's roles encompass scheduling practices and games, organizing small group workouts, hosting a 3 on 3 tournament, and extending the league post-Christmas for children of all skill levels to participate in tournament play. 

    Dan’s work with the Bluejay Basketball Club goes above and beyond and he continues to be heavily involved in spite of his own kids having aged out of the club. We commend his dedication, hard work, and his positive impact on our student athletes."

    Thank you for dedicating your time and talents to our young student athletes, Dan Berggren! 

    Dan Berggren presented with the Bluejay Way Community Partner award


  • Elise Sanny

    During a home varsity basketball event on January 19, 2024, high school student Elise Sanny was presented with the Bluejay Way Community Partner Award for her involvement in spearheading a new food pantry within the district. 

    "Elise Sanny is the first student recipient in the district to receive our Bluejay Way Award! For her 4-H project this past summer at the Polk County Fair, she put a plan in place to support the secondary food pantry right here at Bondurant-Farrar. Her plan earned her a purple ribbon and when school started, she began her work. With help from our FFA chapter, they organized and hosted two “Pack the Cab” events during a home volleyball and football game where fans brought items to donate and place them directly into a tractor cab located in the parking lot! In addition, she collects cans regularly from Williamson Auto here in Bondurant. The money from the can redemption goes directly to funding needs for the pantry.

    We are so appreciative and proud of Elise for her work in helping to kickstart the secondary food pantry here in our district and believe these efforts embody exactly what it means to be doing things #TheBluejayWay!"

    Thank you for being an excellent role model to your peers and all congratulations, Elise! 

    Elise Sanny recieving the Bluejay Way award during the January 19 basketball events/


  • Patrick Meyer

    On February 7, 2022, during halftime of the varsity boys’ basketball game, Patrick Meyer was presented with the Bluejay Way Community Partner Award by activities director Ryan Sweeney and director of administrative services Chad Carlson. 

    “Patrick Meyer is receiving this award because he works tirelessly to support the district and our community. He has commentated on a large number of Bluejay Digital live stream events, including football, wrestling, and basketball throughout the years. Meyer volunteered hours of his time helping to promote the district’s last two school bonds, he is an active member of the district’s athletic booster club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and many other youth athletic organizations in the community.

    Patrick cares deeply about the success of our students and our programs through his words and actions. He demonstrates what it means to be Bondurant’s BEST and doing things #TheBluejayWay.” 

    Congratulations, Patrick, and thank you for all you do for our school community!

    Patrick Meyer, center, was presented with the Bluejay Way Community Partner Award by Ryan Sweeney and Chad Carlson.


  • Kristin Swift

    On November 14, 2022, Kristin Swift was presented with the Bluejay Way Community Partner Award by members of the Bondurant-Farrar Board of Education and superintendent Rich Powers. An active volunteer in the Bondurant community for over 20 years, Director Swift has held leadership roles in numerous school-affiliated parent organizations and currently serves as board president, with 13 years as an elected school board member.

    In a recent nomination letter to the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation in which Swift was nominated and recognized as a 2022 Iowan of the Day, fellow board members, Directors Chris Freese and Susan Ugulini had this to say of Director Swift’s involvement and volunteerism: 

    “Kristin Swift has an unmatched sense of community, integrity, dependability, and the strongest work ethic. A few examples of Kristin’s community volunteerism include her long-term service on the Bondurant-Farrar Community School District’s Board of Education, where she currently serves as president, and several other school-affiliated volunteer organizations, such as the education foundation, fine arts boosters, athletic boosters, and parent-teacher organization.

    As community-elected volunteers, we have had the opportunity to serve alongside Director Swift on our district’s school board. With students as our ultimate focus, members work together as a team, each contributing unique talents and experience to accomplish the board’s goals. During Kristin’s time in this role, her background in engineering and natural aptitude for financial management have been instrumental as we work to make sound decisions for our growing district. Additionally, having served in a multitude of volunteer roles, Kristin creates strong, trusted relationships between the school board and other stakeholders throughout our district.”

    Director Swift will resign from the Board of Education on December 1, 2022 due to a family move. Remaining board members intend to fill this vacancy during their December 12, 2022 meeting. On behalf of the Bondurant-Farrar Community School District, we thank Director Swift for her strong commitment and dedication to our students, staff, families, and community.

    Kristin Swift accepting the BluejayWay Award