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Photos by Hailey Stolze

On May 1 at 7 a.m., the Lied Center opened its doors for its second annual breakfast, organized by the Bellevue Public School Foundation. Individual tickets were $25.

The foundation’s goal is provide assistance for Bellevue Public Schools.

“It’s an organization that looks to support the school system wherever they can,” Rippe said.ry

Rippe said the foundation started as a way for people to donate money to help the school system where it can’t support itself, such as providing scholarship money.

“It probably started solely for people to donate money and get a tax write off,” Rippe said.

Money raised from the breakfast will help fund scholarships and “Kids’ Time,” a day care provided for Bellevue Public Schools kindergartners through 6th graders.

“[The banquet’s purpose is] to generate dollars for the foundation, but also a way to get the foundation’s name out there,” Rippe said.

The event started at 7:15 a.m., with West’s ROTC Color Guard students presenting the colors. As East’s Jazz Ensemble performed, visitors lined up to receive quiche and sausage prepared and served by West and East culinary art students.

1974 Bellevue High graduate Judge Riko E. Bishop was the guest speaker. Her senior year of high school, she was one of two editor-in-chiefs for their yearbook. She went on to be an English teacher at both Elkhorn High School and Mission Jr. High. After teaching, Bishop earned her law degree and has since spent 20 years practicing.

After opening with playing “The Way We Were” by Barbra Streisand, she discussed how America was back in the 70’s, emphasizing inflation and growth of women’s rights. She acknowledged that pregnant teachers were forced to take an extended amounts of unpaid maternity leave because students seeing a woman pregnant was considered unacceptable.

Wake Robin Elementary principal Chad Zavala attended the buffet to support the foundation. His favorite part of the banquet was listening to Bishop speak.

“I liked Judge Bishop, having her go to school in Bellevue schools and then talking about all the different accomplishments of the kids and fellow classmates,” Zavala said.

The foundation took the time to recognize eight $1,500 scholarship winners, including West seniors Brad Brazeal, Alex Deters, Loriana Harkey and Justin Tran.

Besides the food and atmosphere, Brazeal most appreciated being awarded for his hard work.

“It’s kind of cool seeing all the business owners giving back to the community and helping the students pay for college,” Brazeal said.