Bondurant Middle School staff members at the “Thankful for You” breakfast.
With the holiday season just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to reflect on those special people in our lives who are constantly supportive and always offer a helping hand. For the Bondurant Middle FFA Chapter in Frankfort, Ky., this vote of gratitude goes to its dedicated teachers and staff.
The Beginning
Three years ago, the 2023-24 Bondurant Middle FFA Officer Team decided to host a “Thankful for You” breakfast for the teachers, administrators, counselors, janitors and cafeteria staff at the school to acknowledge their hard work and dedication to the betterment of students. They decided that FFA members could donate food throughout the week before Thanksgiving. Officers would then arrive at the school bright and early at 6 a.m. to prepare food for staff members to enjoy.
The breakfast was an immediate hit, becoming an annual event that has grown increasingly popular. Both the turnout and donation rate have increased throughout the past three years. This is an unexpected outcome for Bondurant Middle FFA Advisor Gracie Webb, who says she didn’t expect it to become an annual event.
“I didn’t know if the kids would enjoy waking up and being at school by 6 a.m. because that’s really early,” she adds. “But we’ve done it every year because they love it, and the teachers love it. It’s an event of gratitude and thankfulness, just a way of sharing some kindness.”
The Third Annual Breakfast
Several chapter officers share that sentiment of gratitude and excitement. Piper Fell, for example, has a special outlook on the breakfast because her mom is a staff member at Bondurant.
“It makes it very important to me because I see how much work she puts in behind the scenes, and I always see her getting to school early,” Fell says. “It makes me appreciate her more.”
FFA members Piper Fell and DiDi Dickinson prepare the “Thankful for You” breakfast.
Although staff turnout has increased over the three years of the breakfast, this year Kentucky FFA State Officer Sierra Morris attended the event to express thanks. She said it is the first time a state officer has attended the breakfast.
“This is such a cool event that these kids get to do at such a young age,” Morris adds. “We always think our middle schoolers can’t do so much, and Bondurant Middle is living proof that our middle schools are just as active as some of our high schools. Students learn so much from their teachers. Kudos to them because I wouldn’t have graduated without them.”
According to a cafeteria staff member, “It gets better and better every year. It’s nice to take a little break, and the kids look forward to it.”
Another Bondurant teacher says, “The excitement from the kids really does it for me. It’s obviously a great meal, but the kids are so excited and talk about it all week.”
Bondurant FFA can serve as an example to everyone, as well as a reminder to thank those hardworking and supportive people in our lives who may not hear it enough.
