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One 04 Campus 18 Welcome to BES At The Top

Scholar Bowl wins second state title

Letter from Dr. Mary Hartnett, Intermediate Academy Principal

Magazine is distributed to alumni, parents, friends and neighbors. Its mission is to maintain ties among the district, its alumni and all of our friends and neighbors.

Board of Education Woody Babb, President Stephanie McCreary, Vice President Shannon Kohler, Member Michelle Padgett, Member Jeff Preisack ’83, Member Colleen Elder, Member Sarah Reece, Member

District Administration Amy Ruzicka Superintendent of Schools (314) 256-8601

Dr. Chel’Lee Whitten Assistant Superintendent (314) 256-8658

Zach Morris Director of Human Resources (314) 256-8108

Anna Barton Director of Instructional Effectiveness (314) 256-8601 ext. 8088

Preston Sterett ‘05 Director of Business & Finance (314) 256-8687

Fadil Hamidovic Director of Technology (314) 256-8611

Kelly Stahlhuth District Activities Director (314) 256-8664

Dr. Monika Hasanbasic ELD Director

(314) 256-8600 ext. 2304

Barbara Shetley District Registrar (314) 256-8100

Kari Wolford ‘03 Transportation Supervisor (314) 256-8601

Early Childhood (314) 256-8630

Christina Ly ’99, Principal Amra Hadzic, Administrative Assistant School Hours: 8:05 a.m. - 3:25 p.m. Office Hours: 7:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.

Elementary (314) 256-8620

Dr. Mary Hartnett, Principal, Intermediate Academy Christina Ly ‘99, Principal, Early Learning Academy Dr. Amanda Middendorf, Assistant Principal, Intermediate Academy

Erin McClure, Assistant Principal, Early Learning Academy

Mirsada Becarevic, Administrative Assistant Andrea Lesniewski, Administrative Assistant Christine Kohl, Administrative Assistant School Hours: 8:15 a.m. - 3:21 p.m. Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Junior High (314) 256-8690

Daniel Bieser, Principal Dr. Aubrey Bauer, Assistant Principal Sanela Jugovic, Administrative Assistant Cantrece Novak, Administrative Assistant School Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 2:36 p.m. Office Hours: 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

High School (314) 256-8660

Eric Lawrence, Principal Dr. Alyssa Stock, Assistant Principal Mike Will, Dean of Students, Athletic Director Lauren Champion ’07, Administrative Assistant Jacqueline Deveraux, Administrative Assistant School Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 2:36 p.m. Office Hours: 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Stephen Terrill Marketing and Communications Coordinator

Alumni Association

VICC Transportation

(314) 256-8660 ext. 8617

(314) 256-8115 (314) 721-8657

Deborah Schaefer ‘71, Association President

Bayless is published multiple times a year to inform the public about what is occurring at the Bayless Schools — including student achievements, happenings in the classroom, involvement in the community and more. Please submit any questions, comments or letters to Stephen Terrill, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, 9296 Gravois Road, St. Louis, MO 63123, 314-256-8115 or at: sterrill@bayless.k12.mo.us Bayless School District does not discriminate in its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, socioeconomic status, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age or any other characteristic protected by law. Inquiries related to District programs may be directed to Director of Human Resources and Title IX Coordinator Zach Morris at 314-256-8108, 9296 Gravois Road, St. Louis MO 63123. The Bayless School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

From The Dear Bayless Community,

Superintendent

At Bayless, students do not simply move from one grade level to the next. They grow up as part of one connected campus, surrounded by people who know their names, celebrate their milestones and help prepare them for what comes next. That is the heart of One Campus. This year, our district theme is One Campus. One Community. One Commitment. Each issue of this volume of Bayless Magazine will highlight one part of that theme, beginning with this summer issue focused on One Campus. At Bayless, One Campus is more than our physical layout. It is a reflection of who we are and how we care for students. Our early childhood, elementary, junior high and high school buildings are connected not only by sidewalks and shared spaces, but by shared purpose. We have the unique privilege of watching students grow from their first days of school to their final moments as Bayless graduates. Along the way, they are known by teachers, supported by staff, cheered on by families, encouraged by coaches and sponsors, and celebrated by a community that takes pride in their success. This issue captures that journey in many ways. You will read about the Class of 2026 and the milestones they reached, including college credit earned, scholarships awarded and associate degrees completed. You will see students excelling at the highest levels, from Scholar Bowl’s second straight state championship to Gabi Campbell’s historic track season. You will meet new elementary leadership, celebrate outstanding staff and volunteers, and learn more about the continued work of improving the spaces where our students learn, grow and belong. Together, these stories remind us that no achievement at Bayless happens in isolation. Every success is connected to the people, places and experiences that surround our students throughout their time here. That is the promise of One Campus: a place where every student is seen, supported and prepared for what comes next. Thank you for being part of the Bayless story and for helping make our campus a place where every Broncho can grow with confidence, connection and pride. With gratitude,

In This Issue 4 6 8 12 16 18 19

Scholar Bowl Takes State Championship Emily Klein, Teacher of the Year The Class of 2026 By the Numbers Gabi Campbell and Track’s Ascent Building a Better Bayless From the Desk of Dr. Mary Hartnett From the Alumni Association

The jewel of BSD’s One Campus, the Junior High Building stands over Weber Road as an easily identifiable feature. The building was completed in 1934, with an expansion finished in 2023.

Back-to-Back

State Champions The entire Bayless Campus had reason to cele-

at before,” head coach Bob Efken said. “Even as a brate when the Bayless Scholar Bowl team clinched freshman he was showing a level of brilliance that people around the state were already talking about. its second straight State Championship on May 9. He’s been the backbone of our team for the last four The Bronchos beat New Heights Christian Academy years — we’ve been to (The NAQT) Nationals the in the Championship match by four questions, 350last four years, we’ve been successful in our dis310. On top of another trophy, the win was part of a trict for the last four years. The knowledge that he perfect ending for senior Elmedin Karamovic, who brings and the cheerleading mentality he brings has was the catalyst for BHS exploding onto the nationbeen extremely beneficial and he will be missed al scholar bowl scene. going forward for sure.” Karamovic graduated with the Class of 2026 in May, An All-State performer, Elmedin was sharp on but his place in Bayless history is cast in iron. While many questions. During a round-robin match, he scholar bowl had existed at some level for a time, answered one question about the Soviet Union his knowledge pushed the team into competition within the first four words, leaving the entire room both in Missouri and nationally. astonished. “The reason why we started doing competitive The tournament opened with a round-robin portion. scholar bowl to the degree we are is because Bayless beat Oak Grove 430-140 to start off strong. Elmedin was taking us to a level we hadn’t been They then lost to New Heights Christian Academy by one question, 290-280. As would be apparent later in the day, the two teams were evenly matched.

The Scholar Bowl team was presented with its trophy during a ceremony at the Mizzou Memorial Union, along with the winners from Classes 5 and 6.

The final game of the round-robin was make-orbreak for Bayless. Hallsville had already beaten Oak Grove and New Heights, and if they beat Bayless, they would likely play New Heights in the championship match. Instead, Bayless ripped off several question/bonus combinations (when a tossup is answered correctly, the team with the right answer is given three bonus questions worth ten points, so one question can be a forty-point swing) to build a lead it never relinquished. After dispatching Hallsville, the Bronchos had a re-

swered multiple questions in each match. Other teams often relied on one or two players to score most of their points. Additionally, the Bronchos have a positive attitude. They high-fived after questions, even ones they answered incorrectly. This was important when they got behind — they could bounce back mentally in ways other teams at the tournament did not. “I am incredibly proud of our Scholar Bowl team this school year,” Principal Eric Lawrence, who was at the championship, said. “I had a front-row seat to see them overcome adversity on their way to earning their second state championship. The grit and resilience they showed through the tournament reflect the culture (coaches Efken and Dan Carstens) have built within the program.”

Bob Efken gave Elmedin Karamovic his state medal, a crowning moment for two pillars of the program.

match against New Heights set for the afternoon. In a very tight contest, Bayless built a 90-point lead that shrank to as little as 30 before the team sealed it on a bonus question about the Townsend Acts, a series of tax laws Britain imposed on the American colonies in the 1760s.

The trophy is Bayless’s second-ever MSHSAA Team State Championship. They also placed fourth at the NAQT Small-School National Championships in Chicago, beating teams from across America.

“I was very anxious (in the championship match),” Efken said. “I was keeping very close track of the score, I always kind of pay attention to how close we are getting to winning, and we never broke away. We kept a lead, but we were always close. When the last question came to something having to break our way, I was just waiting for something to happen. And when it did — just a big sigh of relief. It was beautiful.” Bayless had a strong performance as a team. Captain Nolan Carstens, Karamovic and sophomore Jacob Darnell were three of the five players in Class 4 named to the All-State Team. One of the distinct advantages Bayless had in the tournament was its depth. All four players (Carstens, Darnell, Karamovic and Remy Schrader) an-

Carstens immediately went for a post-game handshake with the players from New Heights Christian Academy.

Teacher of the Year:

Teaching the whole student with Emily Klein

Along with her District Teacher of the Year Award, Klein was named a Missouri Regional Teacher of the Year for the Greater St. Louis Region.

When Emily Klein took to the podium in April to give Early on, in an effort to teach students, not just con-

tent, she earned her master’s degree to teach the first dual-credit class at Bayless, which was psychology. Dual-credit courses give students both college and high school credit for a class they take while at Bayless.

her acceptance speech after being named the Bayless Teacher of the Year, she did it in part because of a teacher of her own.

“I became a teacher because I had a great teacher,” Klein said. “My high school history teacher Mr. Brown was awesome. He knew his stuff forwards and backwards. I loved history, and he showed me how important it was to have a great teacher. He was not only really good at his subject, but he was the first one who showed me how important it was to teach the kids in your room, not just your content area.

Since starting that class, there has been an explosion of college credit opportunities, including additional dual-credit, dual-enrollment and Advanced Placement courses. Bayless students now have more opportunities to pursue both skills relevant to the modern work-

“My parents were going through a divorce my junior year of high school, and he pulled me aside and said ‘look, I want you to learn this stuff and I want you here, but if things are busy at home and stressful, deadlines don’t matter.’ I worked at a bakery in town I grew up in and he would stop in on Saturday mornings because he knew I was there and just checked up on me. He was a really great teacher, and it inspired me to do the same.” Inspired by teachers like Mr. Brown, Klein pursued a career in education after graduating from Michigan State University. Since 2012, she has called Bayless home.

Klein gave her acceptance speech to a packed auditorium on April 17.

force and courses that help make them more well-rounded students. This year, BHS students passed 49 AP tests with a four or a five, a score that routinely translates to college credit.

Rising Star : Cheyenne Dickemper, First Grade Teacher The Rising Star Award is given to teachers in their first three years who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, teaching excellence and service to their students. Mrs. Dickemper works hard in the classroom, coaches Girls on the Run and is a great presence at Bayless Elementary.

Klein did this while also building personal relationships with students to help them navigate early adulthood. “Klein teaches far more than content in her college credit courses,” Assistant Principal Dr. Alyssa Stock said. “She prepares students for what to expect in a college setting by fostering independence, accountability and strong academic habits. Her organization and work ethic are evident in every lesson she designs, with engaging activities that promote critical thinking and connect learning to real-world experiences.”

Staff Person of the Year : Jeff McManus, Dir. Buildings and Grounds Mr. McManus (Class of 2007) oversees the many moving parts of the Bayless campus as Director of Buildings and Grounds. Whether it be snow removal, HVAC work, classroom repairs, or anything in between, he and his team are on it with a keen eye. He is also very busy as the work of Proposition I is well underway (see pages 16-17).

Broncho Award: Kelly Stahlhuth, Activities Director

She has also helped provide more elective classes, like the Bosnian-American studies class. Focused on the Bosnian experience in America, the class is offered because of intense interest in the subject, both from those with Bosnian backgrounds and others interested in their friends’ culture. Klein enjoys the students and diversity at Bayless, and has seen them grow to become very invested in the world and their education. She says they are genuinely interested in the subjects and how they impact their lives, rather than taking a more transactional approach that treats classes like requirements they just need to pass to graduate. “I am grateful for the community I get to work in,” Klein said. “Bayless has such a great community, and family support. We have students whose older brother and sister were Bronchos, their parents were Bronchos, their grandparents were Bronchos — they’ve been here forever. At the same time, we have students who have been here for six months or two years, and all of them show up for games, parent-teacher conferences, and PTO meetings. The support of our community makes it great to do our jobs as teachers.”

The Broncho Award is given to someone who has demonstrated outstanding achievement or service to Bayless. Coach Stahlhuth is responsible for overseeing the many intramurals and clubs across Bayless. She helps everyone who needs it and handles the administrative work to give students the opportunities to try new things.

On Fire for Good: Logan Furey, BJH PLTW Teacher Part of Bayless’s partnership with St. Louisan John O’Leary, this award celebrates those who ignite something positive in others. Mr. Furey fosters a sense of belonging here at BJH, making sure every student has a place to grow. You will frequently find him playing his guitar between classes, and his impact is felt everywhere.

Volunteers of the Year : Oasis Tutors A group of volunteers was recognized this year. Oasis is a tutoring organization that partners senior citizens with schools and students. These members of our community volunteer their time to help young students with reading and math at an important age. The relationships between students and their tutors are positively heartwarming.

In a heartwarming One Campus moment before commencement, fifth grade teacher Bob Cornell visited several of his former students who were graduating.

Alumni and Community Scholarships 35th Annual Alumni Scholarships

Uthoff Scholarship

Leila Becarevic, Bryce Bradford, Berina Mesanovic, Lyna Tran, Tin Tran

Marwa Mohammad Jan

Bayless Music Boosters Scholarships

Henry Craig

Ally Kunst (Vocal), Beatrice Chatfield (Instrumental), Carsyn Ly (Jerry Garrett)

Elmedin Karamovic

Berina Mesanovic and Su’ada Ibrahim

Patricia (Stech) Blassie Scholarship Sophia Ngo

Classes of 1960–1969 Scholarships

Anna Wear Scholarship Frieda Wohlschlaeger Scholarship

Andrew Bolden, Ema Gusic, Alexandrea Kunst, Nejra Korkaric, Carsyn Ly, Kleon Nguyen, Tiffany Nguyen, Denis Sardaliyeva, Derya Sardaliyeva, Kelly Wilderness

Hina Amin

Chapter EA Philanthropic Educational Organization Scholarship

Johnny Bild

Berina Mesanovic

Lawson Tran

Carsyn Ly

Champion Family Scholarship Eirich Brothers Scholarship Samra Ahmetovic

Kerley Family Scholarship Robert Merryman

Lillian/James Newsom Memorial Scholarship

Sally Wear Award/Scholarship

Bayless Educational Support Team Scholarship

Class of 1964 Scholarship Affton-Lemay Chamber of Commerce Scholarship

Leona Sestan

Bayless Academic Foundation Scholarship Denara Bekirova

James D. Wilde Memorial Scholarship Cong Vo

Claire Elder

Bayless Education Association Scholarship

Johnny Pham

Beatrice Chatfield

Schmitt Scholarship

Bubash Family Scholarship

Recipients of the Classes of 1960-69 Scholarships, organized by the Alumni Association.

Sliding into Kindergarten Fifth Grade Bridging

High School Graduation

From their very first day of school to their graduation

ceremony, Bayless’s One, Unified Campus lets students be known, taught and cared for.

Eighth Grade Promotion

One Campus, Great Experiences Bronchos honored with the Glory of Missouri Awards in April

District adopts next strategic plan

Fourteen BHS Seniors and 14 BJH Eighth Graders were presented signed House resolutions by local representative Bridget Walsh Moore in April during the Glory of Missouri Awards. The students were chosen for representing the 14 virtues inscribed in stone in the Missouri House Chambers in Jefferson City. The students went on a tour of the Capitol the week before the ceremony and were honored during awards events.

The Bayless Board of Education approved the district’s next Comprehensive School Improvement plan during its June meeting. The plan carries Bayless through 2031 and will guide continued efforts to provide opportunities to all Bayless students. The plan is available on the Board of Education page of the district website.

Aaron Kohler retires

Field day fun!

Bayless Elementary Principal Aaron Kohler retired in June after over a decade of service to BES. He went through one last walkthrough of the building during Summer Journey.

Goodbye on the last day

High school students invited to Boeing

The last day of school at BES is always filled with tears, hugs and an appreciation for the great year everyone had with their Broncho family.

Several BHS students visited Boeing as part of the company’s initiative to build a homegrown talent pipeline. They toured the facilities, met with executives and engineers and did several hands-on activities related to aviation and engineering. This firsthand look at a variety of career possibilities may open doors in the future.

Baseball takes first South Central Activites Association championship in decades On the heels of a 2-1 win over Valley Park, who had not lost a conference game in 39 contests, the high school baseball team was co-conference champions in the SCAA. The last time Bayless beat Valley Park was in 2011, when head coach Elliott Sterett (Class of 2011) was a student.

A Collection of Medals

Campbell now has four state medals and hopes to earn many more.

Campbell Leading Track Renaissance at BHS At this year’s state track and field meet in Jefferson

and individually in nationwide events. She recently ran at a national event in Philadelphia in late June. Part of her success is in part thanks to her parents, who were collegiate track athletes at Southeast Missouri State University. They help with her diet and recovery, and help other Bayless runners as volunteer coaches. Campbell puts in a lot of work on her own, too.

City, the Bayless girls’ team finished at No. 11 out of 61 teams. Sophomore Gabi Campbell was the only Broncho competing for the girls’ team. Campbell earned Bayless’s first gold medal in an individual state event since the 1960s in the 400m with a time of 55.38 seconds. She also took second in the 200m and 800m. That gold medal, which Campbell plans to be the first of many, was the crowning achievement of her hard work this year. Campbell is an incredibly fast runner with plans to run track at the collegiate level. A diligent student, she has balanced her studies while competing both for Bayless

“Her preparation is next-level,” Wooldridge said. “Everything from her diet to recovery and sleep, she is super dedicated. She does it in her classes as well.” Wooldridge, a former collegiate runner himself at Southeast Missouri State, acknowledges coaching Campbell has pushed him to learn. “(As a coach) I had to check myself when she was racing,” Wooldridge said. “I was so in awe and would just

watch. I had to prompt myself to be engaged and find the next thing to help her improve.” Campbell’s versatility is as impressive as her speed. At one point this season she held state rankings (based on fastest time) in the 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1600. The coaching staff had to narrow it to three events when the state playoffs came around because running all five would have made for extremely short breaks between events.

After winning both conference championships, the team packed into the Auditorium Lobby for a group photo.

By the time the state playoffs came around, Campbell was locked into her three events and driven for better results. Last year she placed second at state in the 400m, losing by .2 seconds. This state meet, being her second trip, made it much easier.

“Last year, there was a lot going on, I was nervous, my heart was racing, I was sweating so much,” Campbell said. “This year, I was calm. I’d seen those faces before — it wasn’t really nerve-wracking.”

A whole-team effort

It has translated into massive success. The girls’ and boys’ teams both won the SCAA Conference meet this year, marking the second in a row for the girls’ team. Boys runner Elijah Freeman made it to the podium in the state meet, placing sixth in the 100-meter dash. He was the first boys runner in the modern era (since track was restarted as a program following the completion of Bayless Track and Field in 2014) to make it to state. This year they:

Campbell’s medals are only part of the team’s story, however. From less than 10 athletes at the beginning of the decade to over 60 on the team now, Coaches Wooldridge, Kelsey Donohue, Chuck Perry and Jon Cordes have an ever-growing list of student-athletes to coach.

• Earned 231 medals • Set 35 school records over 19 events • Won two district events • Won 11 conference events • Won 38 total events “The kids are learning the sport and they’re hungry for it,” Wooldridge said. “(Bayless students) just meld together into a team, it’s cool to see that process and see them cheer each other on.” The goal for next year is to send more than two athletes to state. With Campbell returning and the team growing, the girls team could jump up closer to the top three at state next season. Make sure to pay attention when they leave the blocks, because if you blink you might miss them.

Congratulations Class of 2026!

Progress as Promised Improvements to our One Campus This summer, you may have noticed addition-

al construction dumpsters and activity across the Bayless campus. Thanks to the community’s support of Proposition I in April, the District is already moving forward with important facility and campus improvements designed to protect our schools, support student programs, and maintain a safe, welcoming learning environment. We have performed work in the elementary and high school cafeterias, as well as in elementary bathrooms that provide important upgrades. We also have many larger undertakings that will move Bayless forward.

Elementary HVAC Replacement The largest project underway this summer is the replacement of aging heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning equipment serving the eastern half of the elementary building. More than 43 rooftop units that serve classrooms and other school spaces are being replaced with modern, more reliable equipment. Over the next several weeks, residents may see construction crews and cranes on campus as the older units are removed and new equipment is installed. This phase of the work

is scheduled for completion in early August, in preparation for students’ return on August 24. Planning is also underway for the second phase of the elementary HVAC project, which will serve the western half of the building. Because that work requires extensive coordination with roofing improvements and building operations, it will take additional time and is anticipated to be completed by August 2027.

High School Choir Room Renovation Another important summer improvement is the renovation of the High School Choir Room. Under the leadership of Mrs. Tamara Simmons, the Bayless choir program has earned an outstanding reputation

This roof on top of the eastern portion of BES that runs along Hildesheim Avenue will see significant work as the HVAC units will be replaced with new, modern equipment.

for developing student talent and achieving success in state competitions. The existing room needed greater height and more functional space to accommodate students and the risers used during rehearsals. Construction crews removed the outdated drop ceiling, raised the ceiling height, removed old chalkboards, and reorganized the room to create additional usable space. When students return this fall, the choir program will have a more functional and flexible learning environment that better supports the quality of the program and the students it serves.

Elementary Playground and Rear Driveway Improvements Work is also underway at the elementary school’s rear driveway and the playground serving third through fifth grade students. Crews began removing the nearly 20-year-old playground in late June. The new playground will include additional swings, climbing features, ropes courses, and other opportunities for active play. It will also be designed for accessibility and will include a poured rubber safety surface to help ensure that all students can participate safely.

Work to prepare the space for the new playground behind Bayless Elementary is well underway.

and welcoming facilities play an important role in supporting student learning, school programs, and the daily experiences of families and staff. Because of the support of the Bayless community, the District is able to make meaningful improvements that will benefit students today and help prepare our schools for the future. We are grateful for that continued support and look forward to sharing additional construction updates throughout the school year.

Ten Years of the BES Expansion

At the same time, the rear driveway and parking area are being repaired and improved. Much of this area was last resurfaced more than a decade ago. These upgrades will create a safer, more functional, and more accessible space for students, families, staff, and visitors.

Continuing to Build a Better Bayless These projects represent the next step in Bayless’s ongoing commitment to maintaining strong schools and a strong community. Safe, reliable,

Before 2016, the two sections of Bayless Elementary were separate buildings. The connection, which includes the library, cafeteria and front offices, will reach its 10-year anniversary in August.

From the desk of:

Dr. Mary Hartnett Dr. Hartnett is joining the Bayless Elementary team this year as the principal of Bayless Intermediate Academy, which is grades 2-5. Dear Bayless Community, I cannot begin to express how excited and honored I am to have been selected as a principal at Bayless Elementary. My education journey started 24 years ago when I took my first teaching job with Chicago Public Schools after attending Loyola Chicago for my bachelors. Upon returning home to St. Louis, I taught in Affton and Brentwood, and most recently served as an assistant principal at Maplewood-Richmond Heights Elementary, all while continuing my own education. Those years led me to Bayless, and I couldn’t be more excited to be joining a place that already feels like home! When I think about Bayless I see a community with a rich history and close connections. I also grew up in a close-knit community in St. Louis, and understand the impact that connection has on a person. My leadership philosophy centers on creating and fostering that sense of connection. The school is the heart of a community and should be a place where all feel welcome, safe and supported. I believe in building strong connections with families, students and staff. I was fortunate to have an amazing role model as my principal in elementary school — my uncle. He spent every recess on the kickball field pitching to all the students. As a student, I loved being able to have him joke and play with us. As a leader, I understand how important those moments were for him too. For him those moments were about making

Dr. Hartnett has been on campus often this spring and summer, meeting with staff and preparing for a great first year.

connections, learning about each child and seeing them outside of the classroom. I still talk to my uncle about life in administration and he always asks if I am still finding time to attend recess with the students. I proudly say yes. Whether reffing the soccer game, walking a lap outside or simply engaging in conversations with them, it allows me to see them in their element and it allows them to see me as a person. These interactions influence the decisions I make daily. At home, I have four sons ranging in age from six to 18. I was able to celebrate both a high school and a kindergarten graduation this spring which gave me a unique perspective of the whole learning continuum. I strive to be the leader I would want my own children to learn from both as students as well as individuals entering the workforce. When I make decisions I always try to reflect on how I would want my own child treated and what lesson I would want them to learn from the situation. I truly appreciate you trusting me with your children and if you ever have any concerns or questions or just want to say hello, please drop by! Sincerely,

Mary Hartnett

From The Alumni Association After almost 80 years as a full-time Broncho as a student, staff member and Alumni Association President, Sally Wear has retired as president. She has coordinated nearly $300,000 in scholarships for students, including the alumni scholarships on Page Nine. She shared a brief parting message for this edition of

As of June 1st, I have stepped down as President of the Bayless High School Alumni Association after 31 years. I have enjoyed every “hectic” moment keeping things updated for the alumni. The new president is Deborah (Gregory) Schaefer, Class of 1971. She has worked with me in the office for several years and is very computer savvy. I will still be working in the alumni office as I have many loose ends to complete and also show Debby what she needs to do to take over her new duties. Thanks to everyone for their kind messages and support all these years.

Sally had one last Senior Awards Night as president, and she received multiple ovations from the BHS community.

Sally Wear

Save the Date:

Homecoming The Homecoming football game will be October 16, with the parade and festival the next morning on Oct. 17. This event is a great opportunity to see our One Campus and is full of family fun, food, music and Broncho spirit. Be on the lookout for more information after school starts!

9296 Gravois Road Saint Louis, Missouri 63123 p. 314.256.8600 - f. 314.544.6315 Website:

baylessk12.org

Read the magazine digitally at: issuu.com/baylessschools

Be ready for the first day of school!