Dear Friends,

Whether you joined us in person or are catching the highlights here, we’re grateful to share moments from this year’s Great Friends of Schools Breakfast.

It was an inspiring morning that reflected the growing momentum across South Bend Community Schools and the strength of our partnership in moving this work forward. Together, we are expanding opportunities for students, supporting educators, and investing in the experiences that help young people succeed.

Throughout the morning, we heard powerful stories from senior Kaelyn McClements and alumnus Christopher Castaneda-Jaramillo, celebrated our 2025 Educator Grant recipients, and engaged in a meaningful State of the Schools conversation with Superintendent Mansour Eid. Each moment reinforced what’s possible when a community and its schools move forward together.

We are deeply grateful to our sponsors, supporters, and volunteers who made this event possible. And to our high school students, including CTE Broadcast Media and Film Production program, Riley Jazz Band, Washington Photography Club, and ceramic artists from Adams, Riley, and Washington, thank you for showcasing the talent and promise within our schools.

Below, we’re excited to share a closer look at that impact. You’ll find a snapshot of the incredible things happening across our schools, along with a special video highlighting teacher grant recipients.

Thank you for being part of this work and for continuing to invest in what’s possible for our schools and students.

With gratitude,

Kris Arizmendi Choinacky,

Chief Executive Officer

THANK YOU!

Thank you to all of those who helped to make the Great Friends of Schools Breakfast a success! We appreciate all of the creativity and care you brought to the morning.

We are also grateful to Tricia Sloma, WNDU News Anchor, for volunteering her time and talents to serve as our emcee and moderator for the State of the Schools conversation. Her thoughtful guidance helped bring important topics to life, and we appreciate her continued support and partnership.

We’re also thankful for the WNDU team for helping share the story of the morning with our broader community—take a look at their coverage of the Great Friends of Schools Breakfast.

Take a moment to hear from teachers how educator grants are bringing ideas to life in our schools. 

Take a look at our photo gallery to see moments from the morning and experience the energy and community that made the day so special.

Your Perspective Matters

If you joined us for the Great Friends of Schools Breakfast, we’d value your feedback. Your input helps us grow this event and better support our schools and community.