Bloomer’s Mark Ruff Honored with Gregory A. Smith Distinguished Service Award
Bloomer, Wis. —
The Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association (WADA) has announced that Mark Ruff, a 1977 graduate of Bloomer High School, has been named the District 1 recipient of the Gregory A. Smith Distinguished Service Award. Ruff was recognized at the WADA State Conference Distinguished Service Awards Banquet on November 9, 2025, at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Wisconsin Dells.
Ruff, who earned an Industrial Technology degree from UW–Stout, is president of Catalytic Combustion, where he has served for more than three decades. His professional career began with 12 years in industrial engineering and operations across the country before returning to his Bloomer roots.
His commitment to community and youth programs has made a lasting impact on Bloomer schools. Ruff spearheaded the creation of custom hurdle carts for the high school track team, launched the Blackhawk Express Project to provide event transportation via a logo-branded electric cart, and supported the gymnastics team by transporting equipment to meets.
His generosity also extends to numerous local projects, including support for the Bloomer Aquatic Center, youth swim team, equestrian arena, and physical education climbing wall. He has donated bicycles for the police department’s Bike Rodeo, sponsored facilities at the parochial school, and offered student employment through the Youth Apprenticeship Program. Ruff also provides scholarships for employees’ children.
Beyond school programs, Ruff continues to support community initiatives such as the Bloomer Veterans Center, senior center renovations, splash pad and kayak launch projects, and local fire and EMT services. Whether helping at the Christmas parade with live reindeer or volunteering with civic organizations like the Bloomer Chamber of Commerce and Lions/Sportsmen’s Club, his dedication to service runs deep.
WADA applauded Ruff’s decades of commitment to interscholastic sports and community development, honoring him as a shining example of leadership, generosity, and service in District 1.
PHOTOS: Brittany Spencer Grant - President of WADA and Mark Ruff
Bloomer High School Athletic Director Jason Steinmetz, Mark Ruff and local WIAA Official, Pool Board Member (among other things) Greg Boettcher
Bloomer, Wis. —
The Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association (WADA) has announced that Mark Ruff, a 1977 graduate of Bloomer High School, has been named the District 1 recipient of the Gregory A. Smith Distinguished Service Award. Ruff was recognized at the WADA State Conference Distinguished Service Awards Banquet on November 9, 2025, at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Wisconsin Dells.
Ruff, who earned an Industrial Technology degree from UW–Stout, is president of Catalytic Combustion, where he has served for more than three decades. His professional career began with 12 years in industrial engineering and operations across the country before returning to his Bloomer roots.
His commitment to community and youth programs has made a lasting impact on Bloomer schools. Ruff spearheaded the creation of custom hurdle carts for the high school track team, launched the Blackhawk Express Project to provide event transportation via a logo-branded electric cart, and supported the gymnastics team by transporting equipment to meets.
His generosity also extends to numerous local projects, including support for the Bloomer Aquatic Center, youth swim team, equestrian arena, and physical education climbing wall. He has donated bicycles for the police department’s Bike Rodeo, sponsored facilities at the parochial school, and offered student employment through the Youth Apprenticeship Program. Ruff also provides scholarships for employees’ children.
Beyond school programs, Ruff continues to support community initiatives such as the Bloomer Veterans Center, senior center renovations, splash pad and kayak launch projects, and local fire and EMT services. Whether helping at the Christmas parade with live reindeer or volunteering with civic organizations like the Bloomer Chamber of Commerce and Lions/Sportsmen’s Club, his dedication to service runs deep.
WADA applauded Ruff’s decades of commitment to interscholastic sports and community development, honoring him as a shining example of leadership, generosity, and service in District 1.
PHOTOS: Brittany Spencer Grant - President of WADA and Mark Ruff
Bloomer High School Athletic Director Jason Steinmetz, Mark Ruff and local WIAA Official, Pool Board Member (among other things) Greg Boettcher
Check out what's happening this week!
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17
🎵7th & 8th gr. Band & Choir Concert - 6:30 pm - BMS Gym
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18
🏀 Boys MS Game @ Bloomer - 5 pm
🏀HS Girls JV2 @ Chippewa - 5:45 pm
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19
📅Board of Education meeting - BMS -6 pm
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20
🏀Boys MS Game @ Hayward - 5 pm
🏀Girls JV2 game vs. Augusta @ Bloomer MS - 5:45
🏀Girls JV Game vs. Hayward @ Bloomer HS - 5:40 pm
🏀Girls Varsity vs. Hayward @ Bloomer HS - 7:00 pm
SATURDAY, NOVEM BER 22
🎶Bloomer HS Jazz 1 @ Clearwater Jazz Festival @ The Brewing Projekt - 12 -1 p.m.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17
🎵7th & 8th gr. Band & Choir Concert - 6:30 pm - BMS Gym
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18
🏀 Boys MS Game @ Bloomer - 5 pm
🏀HS Girls JV2 @ Chippewa - 5:45 pm
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19
📅Board of Education meeting - BMS -6 pm
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20
🏀Boys MS Game @ Hayward - 5 pm
🏀Girls JV2 game vs. Augusta @ Bloomer MS - 5:45
🏀Girls JV Game vs. Hayward @ Bloomer HS - 5:40 pm
🏀Girls Varsity vs. Hayward @ Bloomer HS - 7:00 pm
SATURDAY, NOVEM BER 22
🎶Bloomer HS Jazz 1 @ Clearwater Jazz Festival @ The Brewing Projekt - 12 -1 p.m.
Our students utilize all the green spaces around the District facilities for many activities.
If you also enjoy using them with pets, please be sure to clean up after them. Your help is greatly appreciated. Thank you!"
If you also enjoy using them with pets, please be sure to clean up after them. Your help is greatly appreciated. Thank you!"
📚🍎 Happy American Education Week! 🍎📚
This week we celebrate everyone who plays a part in educating, supporting, and inspiring our students—teachers, administrators, support staff, families, and our amazing community. 💛
To our educators: thank you for your dedication, creativity, and heart.
To our students: thank you for your curiosity and hard work.
To our families and community: thank you for being strong partners in learning.
Together, we are shaping the future—one student at a time. ✨
#AmericanEducationWeek
This week we celebrate everyone who plays a part in educating, supporting, and inspiring our students—teachers, administrators, support staff, families, and our amazing community. 💛
To our educators: thank you for your dedication, creativity, and heart.
To our students: thank you for your curiosity and hard work.
To our families and community: thank you for being strong partners in learning.
Together, we are shaping the future—one student at a time. ✨
#AmericanEducationWeek
🎄 Bloomer High School Giving Tree 🎁
The season of giving is here! Are you ready to help spread holiday cheer. Please see flyer for more information!!
#bloomerhawks
The season of giving is here! Are you ready to help spread holiday cheer. Please see flyer for more information!!
#bloomerhawks
The Lifetime Fall Fitness class took advantage of the beautiful fall weather and went hiking at the Ice Age Trail for an afternoon. 🍂 #bloomerhawks
Congratulations to the BES Blackhawks of the Week! 🧡⭐🖤
#bloomerhawks
#bloomerhawks
If you hear laughter echoing through the halls, don’t worry—it’s just our PE teacher spreading Grinchmas cheer!”
#bloomerhawks
#bloomerhawks
Happy Kindness Day! 💖
In a world where you can be anything, choose to be kind. Today is a beautiful reminder of the power a simple act of kindness holds – a smile, a helping hand, a listening ear can truly change someone's day, or even their world.
Let's sprinkle a little kindness everywhere we go today and every day. How will you show kindness today?
In a world where you can be anything, choose to be kind. Today is a beautiful reminder of the power a simple act of kindness holds – a smile, a helping hand, a listening ear can truly change someone's day, or even their world.
Let's sprinkle a little kindness everywhere we go today and every day. How will you show kindness today?
Some fresh air and a little fun! 🌞🫧
🌟📚 Bloomer Middle School Students of the Month Spotlight 📚🌟
#bloomerhawks #StudentOfTheMonth
#bloomerhawks #StudentOfTheMonth
Mr. Smikrud and Mr. Behling's 7/8 Business-Service Learning class completed their Field of Flags community service project.
The class wrote letters to local businesses asking for sponsorships of the flags in the field. This year they smashed their goal of $1500 and raised $2,850. Each flag in the field represents a $10 donation. All money raised is being donated to the Bloomer Area Veterans Center, and the class presented a check to the Veterans Center during the Veterans Day Program!
We'd like to thank our donors, and Olson Funeral Home for the use of the flags in the display, and above all thank you to all Veterans for their service. ❤️🤍💙
The class wrote letters to local businesses asking for sponsorships of the flags in the field. This year they smashed their goal of $1500 and raised $2,850. Each flag in the field represents a $10 donation. All money raised is being donated to the Bloomer Area Veterans Center, and the class presented a check to the Veterans Center during the Veterans Day Program!
We'd like to thank our donors, and Olson Funeral Home for the use of the flags in the display, and above all thank you to all Veterans for their service. ❤️🤍💙
📣 We’re Hiring!
Special Education Aide
Our district is seeking a caring, patient, and dedicated individual to join our Special Education team.
If you are passionate about helping students succeed and enjoy working in a team-focused school setting, we’d love to hear from you!
#bloomerhawks
Special Education Aide
Our district is seeking a caring, patient, and dedicated individual to join our Special Education team.
If you are passionate about helping students succeed and enjoy working in a team-focused school setting, we’d love to hear from you!
#bloomerhawks
❤️A heartfelt thank you to all of our Veterans for their service, sacrifice, and dedication. 🤍We are grateful for the opportunity to honor you today. 💙
Thank you to our BHS choir and band, senior class president Addison McCracken, and to our guest speaker Erica Hobeck. Thank you to all of the Veterans and their families who were in attendance today.
Thank you to our BHS choir and band, senior class president Addison McCracken, and to our guest speaker Erica Hobeck. Thank you to all of the Veterans and their families who were in attendance today.
The 5K friends at BES would like to show our appreciation and gratitude to each of our veterans on this special day!
Happy Veterans Day!
🎖️ To all veterans: Thank you for your service!
We extend our deepest gratitude and honor the remarkable men and women who have worn the uniform and have served our country.
The students and staff of the School District of Bloomer wish you a Happy Veterans Day. #bloomerhawks
We extend our deepest gratitude and honor the remarkable men and women who have worn the uniform and have served our country.
The students and staff of the School District of Bloomer wish you a Happy Veterans Day. #bloomerhawks
The Lifetime Fall Fitness class had an awesome time at the UW–Eau Claire ropes course! 🧗♀️
It was a great chance for students to step out of their comfort zones, challenge themselves, and build stronger teamwork and communication skills. So proud of how everyone encouraged and supported each other! 💪✨
It was a great chance for students to step out of their comfort zones, challenge themselves, and build stronger teamwork and communication skills. So proud of how everyone encouraged and supported each other! 💪✨
This week Todd Warren was nominated by Kayla Rosenbrook for the Golden Talon Award.
"Todd is an incredibly hard worker and his dedication to our school, staff and students is outstanding!
Todd is always quick to respond whenever we need him and goes above and beyond to keep our school up and running smoothly. Thank you Todd for all do!"
"Todd is an incredibly hard worker and his dedication to our school, staff and students is outstanding!
Todd is always quick to respond whenever we need him and goes above and beyond to keep our school up and running smoothly. Thank you Todd for all do!"
Food Drive for the Bloomer/New Auburn Food pantry!
🍁📚Ms. Primeau’s 1st graders enjoyed their fall lunch and read! Thank you so much to our special guests for coming in to enjoy lunch and stories with our 1st grade readers! 📚🍁
