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This Prestigious Award Was Created in 1985 by the PSF.

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Submit Your Nominations for 2026!

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.

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2025 Pride of Prairie Recipient: Jodi England

Jodi England is a paraprofessional at the Prairie High School and she was nominated for this award by two of her colleagues, Becky Gearheart and Kent Noska.

In her nomination, Becky said, “Over the past fifteen years, Jodi has contributed countless hours in support of our students, staff and families. Jodi has been a “wrestling and soccer mom” for her own
children when they were students, works with the Key Club, participates in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Prairie, and works at all of the sports events (timing, organizing, keeping score, you name it!). Jodi also coordinates the wrestling managers, sponsors the soccer teams, and
volunteers for the Booster Club. She consistently shows up with enthusiasm, reliability, and a genuine desire to help.

Becky also remarked on Jodi’s work in the Success Center at the High School. Her interactions with the students in our classroom goes above and beyond what is normally expected of a school employee. Students know they are supported, cared for, and loved by her even when she
needs to have hard conversations with them. Some students start their day in our classroom with Jodi even though they no longer have class there because she is, in effect, their “school mom.”

Kent wrote that she has been pivotal in hosting numerous Prairie sporting events, including large tournaments that require long hours and meticulous planning. Jodi offers a depth of experience,
ensures every detail is covered, and serves as a conduit between the various groups that work together to put on these events.

Jodi has also been an active member of the Prairie Booster Club. That participation and leadership has continued well beyond the graduation of her children from Prairie (Marcus 2016, and Brittney 2014). As part of the boosters, she has spent countless hours planning, organizing, and working to ensure home events offer quality concessions. Through this contribution, Jodi and the boosters team have contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars that directly benefited the Prairie Hawks with the purchase of equipment upgrades, and improved experiences all around. Jodie’s heart for Prairie is on full display in all of her roles. She walks quietly, smiles brightly, and works tirelessly to ensure the experience of Prairie students is exceptional.

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2024 Pride of Prairie Awardee:

Sylvia Peterson

Sylvia has been an integral part of the Prairie Hill Elementary volunteer community for many years, often clocking more than 40 hours a week in service to the students, staff, and campus. Her passion for volunteerism and commitment to support every program in need of extra help has been an inspiration to all who know her.

Whether it’s helping in classrooms, organizing events, or coordinating activities, Sylvia steps up whenever and wherever she is needed. From assisting with school-wide events to offering one-on-one support in the classroom, Sylvia is always eager to give her time, energy and expertise. Her proactive nature ensures that every program on our campus, big or small, runs smoothly, and her
positive attitude motivates others to get involved as well. Sylvia truly deserves to be recognized for her tireless efforts and her unwavering dedication to Prairie Schools and Prairie Kids.

Congratulations, Sylvia!

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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. 

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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.

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