This Prestigious Award Was Created in 1985 by the PSF.

Submit Your Nominations for 2025!

Nominate someone today who represents the Pride of Prairie. This prestigious annual award is
presented by the Prairie School Foundation to give recognition and show appreciation to an
individual(s) who exemplifies the Prairie Spirit and a loyal commitment to our Prairie Schools.

Preference will be given to volunteers who have shown the Prairie Spirit and dedication to our
Prairie Schools and Prairie Kids. The Pride of Prairie selection committee will choose the
recipient based on your input. The more details you provide the better.

Please Provide the following:

• Name of Nominee and Date
• Does the nominee belong to a Prairie Organization? (Prairie Music Association, Prairie Booster Club, Prairie PTO, Prairie School Foundation, Classroom or organization volunteer, Other)
• Describe the nominee’s Prairie involvement
• How long have they been involved in this activity?
• What special dedication or qualities have you observed in this individual?

Submit your nomination by letter or email including your name and contact information along
with the nominee’s name and qualifications. All nominations may be mailed or emailed to the
Prairie School Foundation Director, Randy Rumery, 401 76th Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404-
7034, or rrumery@crprairie.org. Nominations are due by noon, Friday, September 26th, 2025.

2024 Pride of Prairie Awardee:

Sylvia Peterson

2023 Pride of Prairie Awardee: Scott Slezak

The Pride of Prairie Award is given to those who have demonstrated loyal commitment and service to the Prairie Schools. The first award was presented in 1985.

The 38th winner of this prestigious award is Scott Slezak. Scott’s nomination came from parents, coaches, and most importantly, boys who have played on his teams.

He has coached the class of 2027 football players for over seven years. In total, he has coached at least 12 teams of boys for over 12 years, meaning that he has coached approximately 500 boys in the course of his volunteer positions. This past season he helped coach the Freshman Football team as a volunteer.

One of Scott’s players, Owen Marxen, shared that “Scott is a great coach who is competitive and cares more about developing us into men than he does about winning.”

Pictured above: Pride of Prairie Awardee Scott Slezak, posing with many of the boys he has coached for over 7 years, who attended the ceremony in support

Prairie Athletic Director Rocky Bennett said “Scott has been a pillar in our community as a parent and youth sports coach and leader of several programs.”

Parent Jennifer Carroll said: “He showed up. Not just as a coach but as a trusted adult that any one of the boys could turn to for any reason.”

Congratulations to Scott for his outstanding service to Prairie as a Coach, and Developer of Boys to Men.

Pride of Prairie General Information

It is presented annually to recognize and show appreciation for the individual or individuals who exemplify the spirit of and a commitment to Prairie Schools.  

Nominations for the award are solicited from residents in the College Community School District in the fall. The nominations must be in writing, provide specific information about the nominee’s contributions to the district and signed by the nominator. Nominations should be sent to Randy Rumery, Executive Director, Prairie School Foundation, 401 76th Avenue SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404-7034 or rrumery@crprairie.org. The nominations are submitted to a volunteer selection committee of five for review. After a thorough review of the nominations, the committee ranks the nominees focusing on men and women who have a reputation as positive role models for all Prairie Students.  

Nominees typically have given some treasure, talent, and time to the Prairie Schools, their teachers, staff, and students. 

Currently the Pride of Prairie Award is presented by the foundation’s president during the Prairie Foundation Society annual breakfast. Since its inception, the Pride of Prairie Award has been given to 37 individuals, couples or groups.