A Record Year for the Jags: Blue Valley West Father’s Club 2025–2026

By Kevin Saylan, Chapter Chair at Blue Valley West High School for Father’s Club

The 2025–2026 school year was one of the most impactful and active years in the history of the Blue Valley West Father’s Club.

This year, our chapter hosted an incredible 51 events across the school year — a new record for our organization. These events reflected our continued commitment to supporting students, staff, and fellow members while strengthening the Blue Valley West community.

Our events fell into three categories:

• 34 student-related events
• 7 staff-related events
• 10 member-related events

From welcoming students at sunrise before the first day of school to celebrating seniors at the end of the year, Father’s Club remained dedicated to creating meaningful connections and supporting mental health, school spirit, and community involvement.

Supporting Students Throughout the Year

Student-focused events remained at the heart of our mission. We kicked off the year with events like Senior Sunrise, Fist Bumps for Food, Jaguar Grill, and Back to School Night, helping students feel welcomed and connected from day one.

Throughout the year, we partnered with school leaders and community organizations to support student well-being and school culture through events such as:

• SOS / Suicide Prevention Week
• School Assemblies with JPCo
• Mental Health Awareness Poster Contest
• Mental Health Awareness “Cope Cakes” Lunch
• Purple Out Basketball Contest/Pizza Giveaway
• Sweetheart Dance
• Homecoming
• Prom
• Senior Sunset
• Wellness Week Activities
• Freshman Orientation and School Assemblies
• In addition, our volunteers staffed concessions for six football games during the season, helping create memorable Friday (or Thursday) night experiences.

One of the most visible and consistent programs this year was Fist Bumps for Food, where volunteers greeted students with a fist bump and donut or mental health wristbands. These events took place multiple times throughout the year, including an outreach at CAPS, reinforcing our chapter’s commitment to kindness, service, and community care.

Mental Health Scholarship Impact

One of the most meaningful moments of the year came during Blue Valley West Class Day, where we recognized six outstanding seniors with the BVW Father’s Club Mental Health Scholarship. This year, our chapter awarded $5,500 in scholarships, ranging from $500 to $2,000. Over the past four years, the organization has now awarded a total of $24,000 to Blue Valley West seniors.

To be considered, students submitted essays reflecting on:

• Their personal experiences facing mental health challenges
• The ways they supported others through difficult times
• Efforts to reduce stigma and improve well-being within the community

The essays were honest, courageous, and deeply moving. Students shared stories of struggle, healing, resilience, compassion, and hope. Their words reminded all of us that mental health challenges do not define a person — they are simply part of the human experience. We are incredibly proud of these students for their vulnerability, leadership, and commitment to helping others.

Supporting Teachers and Staff

Our Father’s Club chapter also continued its strong tradition of supporting the amazing teachers and staff at Blue Valley West.

Throughout the year, we hosted appreciation events including:

• Teacher Appreciation Breakfast
• Coffee Trailer appreciation events
• Teacher Appreciation Lunch with PTO
• Family Night Sportsapalooza
• Staff Appreciation Week activities
• End-of-Year Staff Luncheon

These events were small ways to express our gratitude for the tremendous dedication shown by BVW staff every single day.

Building Brotherhood and Community

Connection among members remained another important focus this year.

From the Father’s Club Kickoff Night in September to multiple dads socials throughout the school year, members had opportunities to build friendships, strengthen involvement, and continue growing the culture of support within our chapter.

Leadership team meetings throughout the year also helped prepare for future growth and continued success heading into the school year.

Looking Ahead

The success of the 2025–2026 school year would not have been possible without the dedication of our volunteers, school administration, teachers, families, students, and community partners.

Together, we created opportunities to serve, encourage, support, and connect.

As we look ahead to next year, we are excited to continue building on this momentum and finding even more ways to positively impact the Blue Valley West community.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this year unforgettable. Go Jags!

Next Steps

• To get involved with a Father’s Club chapter at your school, visit the Chapters page on our website.
• If there isn’t a chapter currently at your school and you would like to know more about starting a Father’s Club chapter, visit the Contact page and fill out the form with your details and we will be in touch!