Sun Prairie Education Foundation

05/30/2026

For decades, Nancy Everson dedicated herself to supporting students, educators, and lifelong learning throughout the Sun Prairie community. 📚 Her passion for education, community involvement, and helping young people succeed left a lasting impact on Sun Prairie schools and beyond. 💙

Nancy also helped found the Sun Prairie Education Foundation (SPEF) in 2005, serving as a trustee until her passing. Over the years, she helped raise thousands for the organization, funding grants that provide extraordinary learning opportunities for students and educators throughout the Sun Prairie community. As Nancy always said, “It’s all about the kids!” 🎒✏️

On May 29, the community celebrated the ribbon cutting of the new STEM Lab at the Sun Prairie Public Library, made possible through the SPEF Twedell Family Legacy Fund. ✂️ In honor of Nancy’s incredible impact and legacy, the space was officially named the Nancy Everson Memorial STEM Lab.🔬

This new lab will continue inspiring curiosity, creativity, and hands-on learning for generations of students to come! 🧠💚

Sun Prairie Schools

05/27/2026

We at SPEF feel incredibly lucky to have worked with these wonderful educators over the years. We wish them all the best as they move on to their next adventure!!

05/27/2026

Through SPEF's Ignite Impact program, a partnership between SPEF and the SPASD Business Leadership Academy, students gain real-world experience learning how to write grants that support peer-to-peer learning in the Sun Prairie. ✏️💡

One student-led grant, “The Athlete Cookbook,” 🥗💪 focuses on teaching student-athletes proper nutritional habits along with easy-to-cook performance recipes and was given to students who attend 1 of 2 informational seminars provided. The project was supported by incredible community partners, including UW Health, who provide food samples during athlete workshops, and the Sun Prairie Library. 📖🏥

From idea to impact, these students are building leadership skills while creating meaningful change in the Sun Prairie community! 💙

Sun Prairie Schools
Sun Prairie Public Library

05/22/2026

We love seeing our grants inspiring kids!

05/22/2026

Sun Prairie Education Foundation turned 21 this week, and we wanted to celebrate by sharing it with school district staff who make our work possible every day 🎉

For 21 years, SPEF has supported students, empowered educators, and created meaningful opportunities throughout the Sun Prairie community ✏️📚 Your dedication and commitment are at the heart of everything we do, and we are so grateful to celebrate this milestone with you 💙

Special shout out to Elora at Liv's Drink Emporium who is an incredible baker and supplied us with our celebratory cakes!

Sun Prairie Schools

05/21/2026

Thank you to The Star for helping us spread the word about the great things education foundations do!

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“Education Foundation Day” has been established in Sun Prairie.

05/20/2026

Our Retiree Breakfast is a room full of people who gave so much to kids in Sun Prairie and, as always, Beans n Cream Bakehouse showed up to give right back.
Thank you Jeff, Ti, and the Beans and Cream crew for the incredible food and for being part of such a special day! We ALL are so lucky to have you in this community.

05/18/2026

Terry Twedell is a graduate of Jefferson High School, Class of 1965, and the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, Class of 1969. 🎓 She and her husband, Peter, began their journey together that same year and went on to dedicate 34 years to teaching in Sun Prairie. 🍎📚

Terry remains deeply involved in the Sun Prairie community. She is an active member of Sun Prairie United Methodist Church, where she serves as Chair of the Scholarship Committee and on the Leadership Board. ⛪ Terry is honored to contribute to organizations that support and strengthen her community! 💙

05/13/2026

Today, SPEF was honored to welcome State Representative Andrew Hysell and Wisconsin State Senator Melissa Ratcliff to Prairie Phoenix Academy as we announced the first-ever Education Foundation Day 📚, with Representative Hysell reading the official proclamation to mark this exciting milestone!

Earlier this year, Rebecca Ketelsen, SPEF Executive Director, launched an effort to recognize the vital role education foundations play across Wisconsin. This effort led to the introduction of Assembly Joint Resolution 147, establishing May 13 as Education Foundation Day in Wisconsin with May 13, 2027 set to be the first official celebration. While the resolution did not pass before the session adjourned, Representative Hysell is committed to reintroducing it next session and continuing to advocate for its passage.

We wrapped up the celebration by awarding grants to some very deserving recipients 🎉 because supporting students and educators is what this day is all about 💙.

A special thank you to SPASD Administrators and teachers who have been an incredible partner with SPEF these 20+ years and to all the incredible donors that fund the work we do. 🙌 We could NOT do it without you!

Sun Prairie Schools
City of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, USA

05/13/2026

A new day. A new tradition. A new way to celebrate the organizations shaping the future of public education. 🍎📚

The Sun Prairie Education Foundation is proud to announce the first ever Education Foundation Day which will be officially recognized as May 13th, 2027. 🎉🙌 Recognizing the powerful role education foundations play in strengthening public schools and shaping future generations across Wisconsin.

This year, SPEF Executive Director Rebecca Ketelsen met with State Representative Andrew Hysell to share SPEF’s vision to launch a campaign to establish a day to recognize the important role that education foundations play in local communities. 💚 Through that advocacy, she successfully urged him to introduce Assembly Joint Resolution 147, establishing May 13 as “Education Foundation Day” in Wisconsin. Please join us in celebrating this momentous occasion! 💙