Proactive Safety in Pattonville: What Families Should Know
Dr. Barry Nelson Superintendent
As we wrap up the school year, I want to share an update on some of the specific and intentional work we’re doing in Pattonville to keep our schools safe. One of the most important steps we are taking is conducting regular random safety inspections at every school using our safety check report. This reporting tool is designed to help us evaluate and strengthen key areas of school safety.
These inspections are led by Brian Whitfield, our director of safety, security and emergency management, and cover a wide range of areas, including:
• Perimeter Security: We assess fencing, gates, exterior lighting and the security of access points to buildings both during and after school hours.
• Entrances and Exits: We check that all exterior doors are secure, emergency exits are clear and functioning properly and controlled access systems are working as intended.
• Visitor Management: We review how well buildings enforce sign-in procedures and identification verification, as well as ensuring access to student areas is properly restricted.
• Surveillance and Alarms: We evaluate the coverage and functionality of security cameras and alarm systems.
• Classroom Security: We inspect doors and windows to ensure they can be locked and secured if needed, and we check for any potential safety hazards inside instructional spaces.
• In-School Areas: We review spaces like gyms, technology labs, auditoriums and cafeterias for safety and accessibility.
• School Grounds: We review outdoor lighting around the school, ensuring that trees, shrubs and other outdoor items don’t block sightlines or create hazards.
After each inspection, results are evaluated and shared with building and district leaders to address any identified concerns and make improvements as needed. This process helps us stay ahead of issues and maintain a safe, supportive learning environment.
School safety is not a one-time event or just a response to a crisis. We focus on it year-round, with purpose and care. Thank you for all the support you give the Pattonville School District to help us educate and keep your children safe.
Board member receives NCI service leadership award
Pattonville Board of Education director Mary Kay Campbell was recognized by North County Incorporated (NCI) as a recipient of the Public Service Leadership Award. This award is presented to individuals who are elected, appointed or employed by a public group whose long-time service has had a positive impact on the community or group they serve.
Campbell has been committed to Pattonville for more than three decades. She has lived in the district for 31 years and worked for the Special School District (SSD) in Pattonville for 32 years. After her retirement, Campbell ran for the Pattonville Board of Education and is in her 11th year on the board, having just completed two years as president.
“Mary Kay Campbell’s extensive volunteer work has made a lasting impact on countless individuals and organizations in the St. Louis area,” superintendent Dr. Barry Nelson said. “Her leadership, advocacy and dedication to service exemplify the values celebrated by NCI. Mary Kay consistently demonstrates her commitment to making the world a better place. Her work and extensive volunteerism has touched countless lives and she is an inspiration to all who know her and a true champion for North County and the St. Louis region.”
Campbell has volunteered as an Oasis tutor for the past five years, mentoring elementary school students in Pattonville through weekly one-on-one sessions focused on reading, writing and communication skills. As a volunteer and board liaison for the Pattonville Education Foundation (PEF), Campbell supports innovative educational programs and plays a key role in organizing the foundation’s annual trivia night. She also supports educators beyond Pattonville, having volunteered for the past 13 years at KidSmart in Maryland Heights, Missouri’s only free educational supply store.
Campbell is an advocate for environmental sustainability, serving as a recycling coordinator for the St. Louis Cardinals and volunteering with various recycling programs and events, including the high school’s annual Green Team Electronics Recycling Drive. She also co-sponsors Bridgeway Elementary School’s K-Kids Green Team, which won the 2023 Green Schools Quest challenge for their innovative waste reduction initiatives.
In the community, Campbell has been a member and officer of the Bridgeton Kiwanis Club for eight years, currently
serving as secretary. The group, including Campbell, regularly reads to students at area schools, including the Pattonville Early Childhood Center. She was also a driving force behind the installation of 13 Buddy Benches at Pattonville schools. Made from recycled plastic bottle caps collected by the Kiwanis Club, these benches provide a space for children to foster friendships and combat loneliness on the playground.
“I’m truly honored to receive this award,” Campbell said. “Growing up, I watched my parents lead by example. My mom served multiple terms as PTA president, led our Girl Scout troop and regularly prepared meals at church. My dad was active as a Shriner in the clown unit and participated in several men’s clubs. They showed me the importance of giving back and making time to serve others. I enjoy volunteering and it allows me to feel connected to my parents. It’s my way of honoring them and I feel incredibly blessed.”
Campbell was recognized with the award on May 9 in front of about 550 attendees during NCI’s 48th annual Leadership Breakfast. The event was emceed by Rene Knott, anchor for KSDK. Campbell was one of six honorees selected for the leadership award.
“Celebrating champions of North County is always an honor,” NCI president and CEO Rebecca Zoll said.“It’s so awe-inspiring to know these individuals and their organizations are making a difference in the lives of so many of our residents and for the businesses. We are excited to recognize the many dedicated people, businesses and organizations working to improve our community, better the lives of others and advance the local economy.
PHS named Project Lead the Way Distinguished School
Pattonville High School has been recognized as a 20242025 Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Distinguished School. High schools across the U.S. receive this honor for providing broad access to transformative learning experiences for students through PLTW (computer science, biomedical science, engineering). This is the sixth time and fifth straight year Pattonville has received this award.
The PLTW Distinguished School recognition honors schools committed to increasing student access, engagement and achievement in their PLTW programs. To be eligible for the designation, Pattonville High School had to meet the following criteria in the 2023-2024 school year:
• Offered and had students enrolled in at least three PLTW high school courses;
• Had at least 25% of students participate in PLTW high school courses from any pathway, or of those who participated during the 2023-2024 school year, at least 33% take two or more PLTW courses that year or earlier;
• Had strategies and procedures in place that ensure all students have the opportunity to participate in PLTW programs.
“We are honored to recognize Pattonville High School for its commitment to providing students with exceptional educational experiences through PLTW programs,” PLTW
president and CEO Dr. David Dimmett said. “This achievement celebrates their dedication to student achievement and their focus on empowering students with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in school and a wide range of post-secondary opportunities.”
For nearly 30 years, PLTW has prepared preK-12 students for careers, college and life by equipping them with the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) knowledge, credential preparation, transferable skills and confidence to succeed. Hands-on, real-world learning, deep industry partnerships and clear curriculum guide students from early career curiosity to postsecondary readiness. With a national network of more than 116,000 trained teachers in more than 12,200 schools across all 50 states, PLTW enables schools to design scalable, future-focused programs that inspire students, empower educators and connect learning to life after graduation.
Mary Kay Campbell receives the Public Service Leadership Award from North County Inc.
Our Learners Spotlight on
PATTONVILLE EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER
Water play engages students in learning
Splish, splash! Students were having a blast during water play day at the Pattonville Early Childhood Center.
This annual end-of-year tradition is more than just fun in the sun. It’s a hands-on learning experience designed to help young learners explore, socialize and try new things in a safe, supportive environment.
Students, dressed in swimsuits, rotated through four outdoor stations during 60-minute sessions. Each group spent 15 minutes at the big playground, blacktop, action field and music playground.
At the big playground, activities included bouncing balls, spraying water and soaking sponges in buckets. On the blacktop, students played at water tables with scooping and pouring activities. The action field featured bubble blowing, bubble popping and parachute play. On the music playground, students walked and splashed through the splash pad.
Registered behavior technician Lora Monroe, a member of the water play day committee, created and shared a special social story with staff, complete with photos and descriptions of each station. It also included simple instructions and reminders on how to stay safe while having fun.
To help students feel confident and prepared for the day, staff used social stories, a visual and descriptive tool that is part of daily life at the early childhood center. Social stories are especially helpful when introducing new or unfamiliar activities.
“Some kids get anxious when it’s different,” student support facilitator Marjorie Fender said. “Social stories are great because the kids can say, ‘Oh, OK, this is what I get to do,’ and they feel ready.”
Fender said the experience goes beyond just playtime, it’s also a valuable learning opportunity.
“It’s fun and allows the students to be exploratory,” she said. “It’s a great way to wrap up the school year and have fun with their friends.”
Fender said it’s also a chance for many students to step outside their routines and try something new.
“Lots of times, we see some of the kids play more and have more peer interactions,” she said. “They get to do something different and really take chances with it.”
With the support of teachers, staff and parent volunteers, water play day is a fun and memorable way to celebrate the end of the school year.
“It’s great to see the whole school come together for a day like this,” Fender said.
News focusing on students, staff and schools in Pattonville
Eighth graders at the Academy of Innovation at Remington created projects to commemorate their time at the school. From left, Daphne Woelfel, Navraj Mann and Ellen Mae Young look at a poster Young created to highlight her experiences at Remington since she started as a kindergartner.
ACADEMY OF INNOVATION AT REMINGTON
Student nostalgia highlights personal growth
At the Academy of Innovation at Remington, eighth grade students ended the year not by crossing a stage — but by walking down memory lane.
As part of their final project, students took charge of planning, designing and hosting a new type of end-of-year event called the Memory Lane Showcase. The experience replaced Remington’s previous graduation ceremony and aligned with the school’s growing focus on student voice and choice through personalized learning. Over the course of several weeks, students reflected on their K-8 journey and created interactive displays that highlighted the people, projects and moments that shaped their time at school.
Each student designed a tri-fold board to represent their individual path — a handson keepsake filled with photos, artwork, class projects, written reflections and memories. Some students created themed collages. Others built timelines or added QR codes linking to videos and digital portfolios. Together, the showcase created a full-gallery experience that classmates, staff and families were invited to walk through and explore.
In true Remington fashion, students didn’t just participate — they led every step of the planning process using the school’s LAUNCH cycle, a design-thinking framework that encourages inquiry, collaboration and innovation. They brainstormed what the event should look like, researched different showcase ideas and voted on what elements to include.
“We started with the question, ‘How can we get everyone represented and get everybody involved?’” eighth grade teacher Diane Langston said. “Everything that came up that we ended up having discussions about was based on students’ questions, from what the attire for the event should be to where the event should take place.”
From designing invitations for their families to choosing superlatives and decorations, students shaped the celebration in a way that felt meaningful to them. Students spent time throughout the spring semester going through photos and records from the past nine years.
“There was a lot of stuff where I was like ‘Oh, I remember this!’ I hadn’t thought about it for a while. It was fun to go through,” eighth grader Ellen Mae Young said.
Along the way, students gained more than just nostalgia. They practiced public speaking and storytelling, learned how to organize and prioritize their work and reflected on their personal growth over the years.
The event itself included student speeches, themed refreshments, interactive displays and a video montage featuring photos and clips contributed by the students. The showcase took place at Remington in late May, and families, staff and other grade levels were invited to walk through and celebrate the eighth graders’ accomplishments. Students helped with set-up, served as tour guides for their displays and led their guests through the road to memory lane.
The new tradition was more than a celebration, it was a meaningful, student-led story of growth, identity and pride in how far they’ve come.
Remington eighth grader Mary Lako paints the story of her school experience on a tri-fold board.
Students at the Pattonville Early Childhood Center participated in water play day. Top, preschooler Bryan Ndungu investigates the effects of stopping water flow from a water mat. Above, paraprofessional Sandy Wacker, second from left, explores a water table with students, from left, Oliver Seals, Maeven Colbert and Kai Dennery.
Outdoor game brings French culture to classes
I
t wasn’t just the final days of school that had students excited at Holman Middle School. It was a showdown of strategy, competition and French vocabulary.
Students in several of Alex Amo’s French and Introduction to World Cultures classes wrapped up the year by competing in a pétanque tournament, a traditional French game similar to bocce ball that rewards precision, strategy and teamwork.
Pétanque (pronounced pay-tonk) is a popular outdoor game in France. Players take turns tossing metal boules toward a small target called the bouchon, derived from the Provençal word for “little ball,” which is the French region where pétanque originated. Teams score points by landing their boules closer to the target than their opponents or by knocking other boules out of the way. The first team to 13 points wins.
“It’s something you’ll see people playing in parks all over France,” Amo said. “It’s easy to pick up, very social and a great way to connect with others which is part of why I bring it to class.”
Since traditional pétanque is played on gravel with engraved metal boules, Amo used bocce balls with different colors so students could see them in the grass. After each round, students used rulers and measured in centimeters, just like the metric system used in France, to determine which team had the closest ball.
“You have to throw the ball and try to get it as close as you can,” eighth grader Talia Masin said. “We watched a video about it and learned it’s a popular game that kids play in France.”
Many students said the game was a fun and engaging way to wrap up the school year.
“I like that I can play against other people and compete against them,” eighth grader Caleb Hubbard said. “I thought it was a lot of fun and I did score a few points for my team.”
After each round, teams followed official pétanque rules by tossing the bouchon in the opposite direction and continuing play that way.
The winners in each class walked away with a sweet reward of some regional chocolate.
“We always end the year with this,” Amo said. “It brings the language and culture to life, and it’s a lot of fun along the way.”
Guest speakers share career insights PATTONVILLE HEIGHTS MIDDLE SCHOOL
Eighth graders at Pattonville Heights Middle School spent the final days of May immersed in hands-on, real-world learning as part of a threeday career day event designed to help students explore future career paths and connect classroom learning to life beyond school. The event, on May 27-29, featured more than a dozen guest speakers from a variety of fields, including a veterinarian, city planner, aerospace engineer, nurse, graphic designer, personal trainer and more. The professionals rotated through core classes to speak with groups of students, providing insight into their careers, educational paths and daily responsibilities in their line of work.
The school’s math classes spent the month leading up to the event focused on a unit about financial literacy, career research and work-life balance. Career days served as the culmination of that work, giving students the opportunity to ask thoughtful questions and engage in deeper conversations with professionals in careers they might have interest in or hadn’t considered before. Several speakers were equipped with presentations, props and hands-on materials for students to interact with, making the presentations both informative and engaging. Chef Tim Mathis brought ingredients and enlisted student volunteers to help make and sample guacamole during his interactive session.
Students were also able to connect with presenters in various stages in their careers, offering a range of perspectives and advice. Brittney Collier, a former Pattonville student and film industry professional, joined via Zoom to share stories from her work on different sets. Collier encouraged students to explore clubs and activities that align with their interests. She emphasized the importance of branching out and getting involved while in school as a means for students to learn more about their own interests and skills.
By hearing firsthand from people in different industries — including technology, health care, the arts, education and business — students gained exposure to a variety of possibilities for their future. Many walked away with advice that applied to more than just career planning, such as the importance of curiosity, perseverance, communication and exploring different interests. Career days not only introduced students to potential jobs but helped them begin to envision the kind of lives they might want to lead and the paths they can take to get there as they enter high school this fall.
Students conclude school year with performances highlighting special talents
T
hey say “America’s Got Talent,” but at Parkwood Elementary School, that talent is showcased each year in a big way thanks to an annual all-school tradition.
On the last day of school, the entire building gathered in the gym for the annual student talent show to celebrate creativity, courage and fun. The show was emceed by second grader students who introduced each act and helped keep the event moving smoothly from start to finish.
Third through fifth graders took center stage performing a wide range of acts including singing, dancing, acrobatics, piano, joke telling and visual art.
Princess Leahman and Eboni Tammons.
The event was organized by music teacher Kathryn Leonard who coordinates auditions, rehearsals and the final performance.
“I look for interesting acts,” Leonard said. “As long as they’re kind of organized and can do what they say they’re going to do, they get in.”
A large group of fourth graders performed a choreographed dance to a shared favorite song. Fourth grader Eboni Tammons said they came up with the moves as a team.
“We always hang out with each other,” Tammons said. “We were trying to find a song and just came up with moves according to the song.”
Classmate and dance partner Princess Leahman said it would be her first time performing in a talent show.
“It’s fun,” Leahman said. “At the same time, it’s scary because I’ve never been part of a talent show before and your heart really goes boom boom, boom boom thinking the gym will be full of people and parents you don’t really know.”
Third grader Mina Coleman performed “Hey Slug” by Sarah Maddack, a quirky and lesser-known song she discovered when riding in the car with her mom and
younger brother.
“My mom picked me up from school one day and we were going to her job. She played this song by Sarah Maddack and we just kept listening to her,” Coleman said. “So I had the idea to use it for the school talent show because it’s a funny song and a lot of people don’t know it yet.”
Coleman auditioned in the music room and found out during her next class that she had been selected. It took her a few weeks to memorize the lyrics but she was excited to share something unique with her school community.
In addition to live acts, this year’s show featured a video of a student doing a quick art demonstration recorded on an iPad that was projected for the audience to watch. Another student submitted a video of them BMX riding, showing that performances can extend beyond the stage and even the school walls.
Staff members also joined in the fun by performing a surprise dance that kept the audience cheering and proved that everyone — students and other staff alike — gets involved in the annual tradition to highlight their special talents.
Parkwood Elementary School fourth graders practice a dance they would perform in the school talent show. They are, from left, Haven Thomas, Aaliyah Keys,
Pattonville Heights Middle School eighth grader Nariah Sallis, right, works with chef Tim Mathis to make guacamole during a presentation about his career.
French classes at Holman Middle School participate in a pétanque tournament. Left, from left, teacher Alex Amo and eighth graders, from left, Olivia Fitch and Laila Caver watch as Talia Masin throws her boule ball. Right, seventh graders Samy Nekka, left, and Michael Alejo Herrera, center, watch as James Albro measures the distance between boules.
ROSE ACRES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Maryland Heights community brought together by building, sharing of little libraries
Students stood along the road outside of Rose Acres Elementary School, cheering and waving pompoms to celebrate the opening of two Little Free Libraries at their school. Organized by fourth graders, the libraries were a testament to a classroom idea that turned into a lasting gift for their school.
What started with reading the book “Little Libraries, Big Heroes” by Miranda Paul, grew into a full-scale literacy and leadership project. The students didn’t just imagine what was possible — they took the lead in making it happen.
“This project gave our fourth grade leaders the opportunity to bring their own ideas to life,” fourth grade teacher Mary Spitzmiller said. “By taking initiative — planning, reaching out for community support and building the libraries — they experienced firsthand what it means to be active contributors to their community. Most importantly, they saw that their voices and efforts can create real, lasting impact.”
The City of Maryland Heights encouraged their community support. When fourth grader Kora Carver told her father, Jim Carver, the director of economic development for the city, what they were doing, city officials offered to purchase little library kits. On May 7, students assembled the kits alongside Carver, superintendent of parks Charlie Milligan and mayor Mike Moeller — right inside their classrooms.
“Building them was a lot of fun,” Moeller said. “We let the kids put them together and read the instructions and figure out how to put it together. They did an awesome job. It’s important for the community and it gets the students involved.”
While building took place, students also worked on other important aspects of promoting the Little Free Libraries. They took the lead on all aspects of the project, from
DRUMMOND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
making posters, writing thank you notes, beautifying the libraries and area around them, creating a video announcement, advertising and creating a launch plan.
The students also coordinated a school-wide book drive to stock the libraries. Because they wanted the libraries to meet a variety of interests, fourth grader Beckham Whites made a poster for people to share the types of books they’d like to see in it.
“I’m looking forward to them taking the books and liking them,” fourth grader Brennan Smith said. “Also, of course, people taking a book and either giving it back or donating a different book so we can keep our little library up and running.”
On May 22, the students hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil the libraries. All together, there will be three Little Free Libraries — two at Rose Acres and one the students are giving to the Pattonville Fire Protection District. For the students, the experience had a lasting impression, knowing they are leaving a legacy behind.
“It’s cool because I have a little sister, so whenever I go to middle school, she still may be going here,” fourth grader Skylar Irvin said. “So then I can tell her that we built little libraries, and she’ll probably be able to use some of those books.”
For the fourth grade teachers, including Grace Buerck and Kirstie Hummert, watching students take ownership of the project was a highlight of the school year.
“It’s a powerful reminder that when students are given the chance to lead, they rise, and often exceed every expectation,” Spitzmiller said. “Seeing our students step into the role of leaders — dreaming up an idea, persevering through challenges and using their voices to rally support and make real change — their determination, creativity and teamwork showed us just how capable and compassionate they are.”
Students celebrate Star Wars day with Jedi Academy lessons on character building
The Force was strong at Drummond Elementary School as students stepped into a galaxy far, far away to celebrate May the 4th with a day full of fun, costumes and meaningful learning.
Dressed in Star Wars gear, students began the day with an Imperial March through the halls joined by Chewbacca, Boba Fett, Obi-Wan Kenobi and other members of the 70th Explorers Garrison, a subdivision of the 501st Legion, a Star Wars costuming group.
But the heart of the celebration took place outside during Jedi Academy, a hands-on, character-building experience where students learned that being a Jedi means more than wielding a lightsaber. It’s about who you are on the inside.
Led by reading interventionist Christine Behlmann and intake specialist Courtney Cady, students rotated through a series of Jedi challenges designed to strengthen key life skills. They practiced responsibility, bravery, generosity and growth mindset through teamwork games, obstacle courses and quiet reflection.
In the first challenge, students practiced patience, cooperation and focus by working together in a relay-style ball toss. One student began by tossing a ball down a line of classmates. After each successful catch, that student would squat and wait as the ball continued its path. Once the ball made it through the entire line, the next student took over as the thrower. The activity continued until every student had a chance to lead, encouraging teamwork and celebrating each student’s turn.
The next task called on their Jedi reflexes. A small group of students, armed with foam pool noodles as
makeshift lightsabers, chased after their classmates in a game of tag. Each time a student was tapped with a noodle, they were “captured” by the Jedi. The goal was to work together and tag every member of the group promoting collaboration, strategy and resilience.
The final part of the training focused on mindfulness and self-awareness. Students were instructed to find a quiet space on the field, sit comfortably and reflect on their emotions. In a moment of calm, they were reminded that emotional strength is just as important as physical skill.
“You are in control,” Cady said to the students. “Your thoughts, your feelings, your self-control, these are all things you can master. You are the one who decides the kind of person you want to be.”
Each part of the training aligned with Drummond’s focus on social-emotional learning. Through the lens of the Star Wars universe, students explored traits like cooperation, friendship and perseverance.
“Jedi Academy is just a fun way to work on those traits we want kids to build,” Behlmann said. “It helps them develop a growth mindset, work with others and show good sportsmanship and they get to have a blast doing it.”
The celebration also featured a door decorating contest, with each grade highlighting specific traits using Star Wars themes, filling the school with reminders that fictional heroes can inspire real-world values.
They practiced responsibility like Rey, who stepped up to become a Jedi and continue their mission to help others. They showed bravery like Luke Skywalker,
their teammates without dropping it.
graders Ta’Miya Pittman-Davis, Morgan Jackson, Adonis Austin, Alan Kabuya and Quincey Wooten
who stood up to powerful enemies even when it was scary. They worked on a growth mindset, like Yoda who taught young Jedi, reminding them that it’s OK to make mistakes as long as you keep learning and trying.
Third grader Kaya McMiller summed up the day as one of her favorites of the year.
“It was the best day ever,” she said. “I liked the Imperial March and the Jedi training and we got to see all the people in cool costumes.”
Behlmann and Cady praised the support of building staff, particularly principal Jason Van Beers.
“We’re so lucky to have a principal who encourages this,” Cady said. “It’s not just about having fun, it’s a powerful way to help kids grow, learn to support each other and understand that even when we don’t win, we can still be proud of our effort.”
Fourth grade students at Rose Acres Elementary School built little libraries with the assistance of the City of Maryland Heights. Left, Maryland Heights director of economic development Jim Carver, right, helps Zoey Schiller, second from right, drill in a screw for their library. Watching are students, from left, Ben Mott, Parker Huiswoud, Skylar Beard and Zy Riley. Center left, Maryland Heights mayor Mike Moeller, left, helps students, from left, Mia Wagner, Miranda Bush and Brennan Smith, identify the next piece they will need for their build. Center right, Beard, left, and Schiller work on a plan to ensure the little libraries stay clean and in good repair. Right, Moeller, left, helps hold a library frame while Bryan Gray adds a screw.
Students at Drummond Elementary School practiced Jedi traits like cooperation during May the 4th activities, including a game where students tossed a ball to
Shown are, from left, third
Jr.
PATTONVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
Esports build skills, teamwork
T
wo students sit next to each other, working on a cooperative project, talking through strategy, plans and opportunities. These students aren’t talking about a class project, but about a video game. They are part of the Pattonville High School’s esports team, a group not just having fun, but helping promote critical thinking and collaboration while offering pathways to college and diverse careers.
The program launched with interest meetings in spring 2024 and officially began in the fall. Competing in the Missouri Scholastic Esports Federation (MOSEF), Pattonville students participate in games such as Overwatch, Valorant and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Game opportunities continue to expand, with students at Pattonville excited that Marvel Rivals will be added next year.
“When we decided to tackle this, we said we really want it to be treated as much like a traditional sport as possible,” math teacher and coach Brandon Clark said. “We have regular practices. We’re going to make sure that students are required to be at practice if they intend to play.”
Even though esports is not governed by MSHSAA, Clark and fellow math teacher and coach Mary Cross hold students to similar academic standards. Also like other sports, students complete warmup stretches to prepare physically and participate in team-building activities.
Sophomore Reece Corbin plays Overwatch and said the team offers more than just gaming. It’s a chance to meet new people.
Junior Rudra Patel, who had never played games on a PC before joining, found his footing with Valorant and embraced the learning curve. He became a leader on the team, often watching videos and sharing advice to help teammates improve.
“It’s fun if you play together,” Patel said. “I want to play the whole day. Being able to communicate with others helps build that connection. As you play with others, you just build relationships.”
Freshman Alan Aztatzi-Mendieta plays Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, a one-on-one combat game with dozens of unique characters.
“I like it has every character,” Aztatzi-Mendieta said about Smash Bros. “I like in this game that you can choose or find a character that fits you. I think this game has a character for every person. We practice and try to find combos or characters that can beat the other character.”
While the competition is virtual, the impact is very real: students are building friendships, developing communication and strategy skills and learning how to be part of a team. For many, this is their first experience participating in a team extracurricular activity
“A lot of these students have never represented their school, have never been a part of a team,” Clark said. “Being able to see yourself in that role for the first time is something I was really excited to help provide. I’m hopeful more students can see themselves in a place where they’re supporting and representing their school.”
Cross said she likes how students embraced the opportunity.
“There’s so many different people that they would have never met had this not been a thing,” she said. “This isn’t just about teaching them to be a great gamer. This is about how to be a part of a team. These skills will carry on into college, into life.”
Student-created map highlights area for new families WILLOW BROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
F
irst graders at Willow Brook Elementary School wrapped up a project that combined learning and community engagement and resulted in an informative map to help new families get acquainted with the area around their school. The map showcases local spots like libraries, parks, restaurants and more.
“We have combined our social studies geography unit with our informative/nonfiction writing unit,” first grade teacher Penney Smith said. “It was a project-based learning (PBL) unit where we created a digital map to give to families who are new to the Willow Brook area.”
Each student selected a place they enjoy or is important to the community. They then researched it and wrote about why new families should know about it.
“It’s important because when there’s a new kid in our school, maybe they haven’t lived in this area before, and they want to know where to go,” said first grader Mateo Flores Lechuga, who wrote about SkyZone.
As part of the writing process, students revised and edited their work before submitting their final drafts. They also selected images to represent each location.
“My favorite part was when I got to pick pictures for my place and when I got to write about it,” said Kinsley Bell, who wrote about January-Wabash Park in Ferguson. “I liked it because it was super fun and I got to make cool colors with my writing. We also wrote it a couple of times to get it perfect.”
Once students completed their project, they then had to pinpoint it on the map so Smith could add the correct location to the final version. Students learned how to identify locations on a map and determine their direction from Willow Brook, which is marked with a backpack icon on the final design.
“We did this so new people can know where to go by our school,” first grader Kameron McPherson said. He chose to research the Creve Coeur Police Department and shared historical facts about its founding and first patrol officer. “When they come and maybe move close to Willow Brook, we wanted to pick some of our favorite places to share with them.”
Once completed, the project was shared with principal Dr. Ashley Deckelman and administrative intern Margo Souza, who were impressed by the students’ creativity and thoughtfulness. They plan to share this resource with new Willow Brook families.
The project not only supported academic goals in geography and writing, but also gave students a way to contribute meaningfully to their school community.
BRIDGEWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Fifth graders celebrate elementary experience
Bridgeway Elementary School’s gym was filled with pride, emotion and plenty of smiles as fifth grade students, their families and school staff came together to celebrate a major milestone — the completion of elementary school and the start of their next chapter in middle school. The school’s fifth grade celebration, which took place during the school day on May 23, marked the end of one journey and the beginning of another. Families packed the gym as featured student speakers reflected on their years at Bridgeway, sharing heartfelt memories, lessons learned and words of encouragement.
One student representative from each fifth grade classroom was selected to give a speech, and their reflections highlighted just how much students have grown throughout their time at Bridgeway. They thanked teachers and staff members, shared inside jokes from the school year and offered advice to their fellow classmates for the adventures ahead in middle school.
After the speeches, the audience enjoyed a photo slideshow set to music that showcased moments from throughout the students’ elementary years — from field trips and classroom events to this spring’s fifth grade camp. Students laughed and pointed as they spotted themselves and their friends on screen, reacting to both recent memories and photos from years past. When the slideshow was over, there were tears and smiles on the faces of students and families alike.
The celebration concluded with students from each class being called to the front of the gym one by one. As names were announced, students crossed the floor to receive a certificate of completion from school administrators and shake hands with their teachers, which served as a symbolic farewell to their elementary school days.
After the formal ceremony, families and students stayed to take photos, share hugs and reminisce with friends and teachers. A special photo backdrop offered a place to capture the moment, while teachers and staff took time to interact with parents and celebrate with students before summer. Bridgeway’s fifth grade celebration served not just as a goodbye to elementary school, but as a recognition of the relationships, memories and milestones that helped shape this class of students and a joyful sendoff as they prepare for what’s next.
Pattonville High School freshman Alan Aztatzi-Mendieta plays a match of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on the Nintendo Switch during an esports practice.
Bridgeway Elementary School fifth grader Jessie Donohue, left, takes a selfie with her mom Barbara Donohue during the school’s fifth-grade celebration.
First grader Kameron McPherson presents about the Creve Coeur Police Department featured in a map of areas around Willow Brook Elementary School for new families.
BRAGGING WRITES
Honors, Awards and
Achievements
Quinones.
PARKWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Greater St. Louis Science Fair
Earning a blue ribbon at the St. Louis Science Fair were Timothy Beldner, who also earned the MOST 529 Award, Helen Besserman, Elijah Brandes, Ayotomi Ogundipe, Barrett Weber and Colton Weber. Earning a red ribbon were Selina Hampton-Williams, Liana Harned and Andrew Ruebusch. Earning a green ribbon were Maddie Cremer, Tristan Jenkins, Emilia Krischke, Apollo Littlejohn, Lydia Morgan, who also earned the MOST 529 Award, and Sebastian Quinones. These students were sponsored by first grade teacher Tiffany Laughlin and fifth grade teacher Regina Wright.
ROSE ACRES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Greater St. Louis Science Fair
Earning a blue ribbon at the St. Louis Science Fair were: Liam Wilson, who also earned the Bayer Out-
by Pattonville Students and Staff
WILLOW BROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Greater St. Louis Science Fair
standing Young Scientists Award, and Raelyn Wilson. They were sponsored by instructional specialist teacher Danielle Badra and paraprofessional Rungsee Suvansri. The following PEGS students earned blue ribbons: Lola Dafflitto; Abigail Donjon; Oscar Kwon, who also earned the Ralph N. Jansen Award for Investigation in Urban Agriculture; Emily Pitlyk; Jacaranda Reinertson, who also earned the Bayer Outstanding Young Scientists Award; Austin Schiller; and Matthias Schillinger. Additionally, a group of PEGS students earned a blue ribbon for their group project. Students who were part of that group were Leia Brown, Lyla Curtner, Asael Flake, Tristen Governal, Christian Huiswoud, Vera Jay, Claire Pulley, AbdRaouf Rabdi, Reinertson and Nia Steinbeck. They were taught by gifted teachers Allison Bennett and Robin Chang.
Earning a blue ribbon at the St. Louis Science Fair were Alexa Chanocua Ruiz, Henry Kelly, Louis Kettinger, Andrew Knize and Wayland Marino. Earning a red ribbon were Ryan Leb, Lily Oliynyk and Celia Prentice. These students were sponsored by interventionist teacher Brandy Fowler, district technology specialist Stephanie McCreary and fifth grade teacher Billy Thompson.
Holman band members include, from left, front row, Hope Malala, Lauren Perkins, Deshaun Wortham, Karson McDonald, Zach Smith and Kyron Bradley; second row, Christopher Ngoma, Zoey Pollard, Karen Vargas Garcia, Génesis Carabantes Reyes, Chloe Mabry and Samantha Ramsey; third row, Victoria Goodrich, Frank Naes, Natalia Gonzalez Corona, Parker Hollinshed, Mateo Vance, Evan Seely, Mason Hunt, CJ Lindsey Jr., Kimberly Vidal Herrarte, Maritza Lopez Martinez and Jack Lopez Martinez; and, back row, Samuel Lowe III, Raquel Marroquin, William Woerheide, Mackenzie Miller, Emilio Mejia, Denzel McMiller Jr., Kelvin Escalante Arteaga, Calvin Holloway, Parker Wilson, Aarav Patel, Naomi Hill, Hannah Guetschow and Eli Clayman.
HOLMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL
ACADEMY OF INNOVATION AT REMINGTON
Honor Model UN
Band honors
Students were selected to participate in the Honors Model UN program. Luke Ruffus was selected to be a presenter and spoke about a program he created that provided housing and visa support for immigrants coming to America through Mexico and to Germany. Also selected to participate were Leah Ayele, Michael Connelly, Aphomya Fantahun, Bethel Fantahun, Roman Helsinger, Hayley Jones, Hiro Lewis-Lapin, David Lloyd and Benjamin Masokano. These students were taught by gifted education teacher Dodie Logue.
Band
honors
Students earned a 1 rating for their performance at the Solo and Small Ensemble Festival. These students were: Hayley Jones and Cassidy Mitchell for alto saxophone solo and alto saxophone duet; Sophia Massoni and Maya Medina for clarinet duet; and Patrick McNulty for trumpet solo. Students who earned 2 ratings were Loretta Eckhardt and Bethel Fantahun for brass duet and Fiker Zelealem for flute solo. The band was directed by Andrew Smith.
Remington band members include Fiker Zelealem, left, and Bethel Fantahun.
Band students who earned a 1 rating at the Solo and Small Ensemble Festival were: Moe Baczynski, Camila Hernandez Marquez, Lauren Perkins, Robert Wakaba and Rebecca Wulf for alto saxophone solo; Denzel McMiller Jr. for baritone saxophone solo; Raquel Marroquin, Zoe Means and Karen Vargas Garcia for clarinet solo; Malachi Ball and Zoey Pollard for flute solo; Journey Thomas for French horn solo; Alyssa Franklin, Preston Jinkerson, Donald McCullough, Eva Pulley, John Quinn, Alakai Wood and Claire Yakel for percussion solo; Naomi Hill for tenor saxophone solo; Kyron Bradley, Parker Hollinshed, Phoenix Kostadine and Sam Martin for trumpet solo; Trip Ramey and William Woerheide for tuba solo; Génesis Carabantes Reyes and Aubrey Fuchs for alto saxophone duet; Calynn Jones and Deshaun Wortham for bass and clarinet duet; Aiden Carter, Josh Mady, Isabel Ruscheva and Azlan Webster for brass duet; Chloe Mabry, Hope Malala, Means, Christopher Ngoma, Aliyah Valerio and Vargas Garcia for clarinet duet; Samantha Ramsey, Erin Riley and Mateo Vance for flute duet; K’Den Porter and Gabriel Saccketti for percussion duet; Peter Burk, Jack Lopez Martinez, Samuel Lowe III, Malala, Ngoma and Joey Woods for clarinet trio; Hannah Guetschow, Hill and Wulf for saxophone trio; and Eli Clayman, Mason Hunt, CJ Lindsey Jr. and Evan Seely for mixed quartet. Students that earned a 2 rating were: Zach Smith for alto saxophone solo; Burk, Brooke Hester, Maritza Lopez Martinez and Kimberly Vidal Herrarte for clarinet solo; Keeton Herrera for flute solo; Victoria Goodrich for French horn solo; Jackson McCullough, Frank Naes and Jameson Starks for percussion solo; Clayman and Donovan Riede for tenor saxophone solo; Josh Buchannon and Cesar Silva for alto saxophone duet; Olivia Balch, Katy Cousino, Karson McDonald and Dakota Williams for brass duet; Natalia Gonzalez Corona and Mackenzie Miller for clarinet duet; Tre Erlinger and Brody Lee for trumpet duet; Yancey Fields-Blanchard and Kylan Watson for percussion duet; Kelvin Escalante Arteaga, Calvin Holloway and Parker Wilson for alto saxophone trio; Tucker Bryson, Hollinshed and Emilio Mejia for brass trio; and Francisco Caldera, Aarav Patel and Justin Santillan Ortega for flute trio. The band was directed by Adam Hall and Steven White.
Parkwood students who earned ribbons at the science fair include, from left, front row, Andrew Ruebusch and Elijah Brandes; and, back row, Emilia Krischke, Selina Hampton-Williams, Apollo Littlejohn and Sebastian
Rose Acres students who earned science fair ribbons include, from left, front row, Nia Steinbeck; and, back row, Austin Schiller, Emily Pitlyk and Jacaranda Reinertson.
Willow Brook science fair students include, from left, Alexa Chanocua Ruiz, Andrew Knize and Celia Prentice.
Remington students who participated in Model UN include, from left, frown row, David Lloyd, Bethel Fantahun and Leah Ayele; and, back row, Luke Ruffus and Michael Connelly.
Choir honors
PATTONVILLE HEIGHTS MIDDLE SCHOOL
Holman choir students include, from left, front row Kylie Williams and Emma Pallardy; and, back row, Brooklyn Gulley, Adriana Urbina-Carpenter and Isabella Flores.
A group of sixth grade students were selected by teacher nomination to the St. Louis Suburban 5th/6th Grade Honor Choir. These students were Isabella Flores, Dagny Hurlbut, Cora Leonberger, Emma Pallardy, Trinity Roberson and Adriana Urbina-Carpenter. At the Solo and Small Ensemble Festival, students earned a 1 rating for vocal solo. They were Flores, Madison Jurilla, Layla Stuart, Taylor Williams and Rebecca Wulf. Students who earned a 2 rating for vocal solo were Brooklyn Gulley, Hurlbut, Urbina-Carpenter and Kylie Williams. The choir was directed by Heather Blackwell.
Ciara Ratliff, Kylie Williams and Ameena Moore.
Orchestra honors
Students who earned a 1 rating at the Solo and Small Ensemble Festival were Ciara Ratliff and Kylie Williams for bass solo. Earning a 2 rating were: Ameena Moore for cello solo; Danyelle Trammell and Emanuel Turja Elvira for viola solo; Savannah Hernandez and Alyssa Nicholson for violin solo; and Hazel Edmonds, Parker Gliedt, Sean Hendrick, Andrew Meyer Tuter, Aaron Voss and Evelyn Yakel for string trio. The orchestra also participated in the Large Group Music Festival and earned a superior rating as a group for their performance. Students who were part of this performance were Harshini Alwar, Emily Arana, Cartrell Brown Jr., Janitzia M. Calderon-Sanchez, Adley Glaenzer, Talynn Glover, Kendell Gray, Amora Greenlee, Keagan Gutschenritter, Kennedi Hart, Hernandez, Samantha Langston, Kaiden Mansker, Millianna Martinez, Josiane Mbu, Moore, Peter Ndungu, Nicholson, Garrison Parker, Liliana Pastor-Ramirez, Daiana Perez-Resendiz, Ratliff, Zach Schaerer, Caleb Sosman, Joselin Torres-Pluma, Trammell, Vivian Truong, Turja Elvira, Grace Wilkerson and Williams. The orchestra was directed by Irena Goren-Scheer.
Greater St. Louis Science Fair
Sixth grader Levi Dukes earned a red ribbon for his project at the St. Louis Science Fair. His science fair submission was sponsored by eighth grade science teacher Rachel Luna.
Honor Model UN
Students were selected to participate in the Honors Model UN program. Gabriel Ising was selected to be a presenter at this program.
Members of the Pattonville Heights Model UN team include, from left, front row, Chandi Kennedy, Eva Warren and Bricyn Love; and, back row, Eddie Bagsby, Cooper Hasenkamp, Jack Fernandez and Caleb Guss.
He created a program of mobile medical units and doctors for disadvantaged African countries. Also selected to participate were Eddie Bagsby, Lorenzo Bana, Cora Bland, Nicholas Damazyn, Jack Fernandez, Caleb Guss, Cooper Hasenkamp, Sharon Judge, Chandi Kennedy, Jackson Kier, Aria Kuhn, Skylar Kuzuf, Bricyn Love, Omolola Ogunmola, Julianna Riley, Oliver Strauser, Eva Warren, Ella Willey and Brooklyn Wright. These students were taught by gifted education teachers Natalie Graneto and Dodie Logue.
Pattonville Heights students who had poems selected for publication are, from left, front row William Haselbauer, Elyse Killion and Ava Smith; second row, Nabil Abaza, Kyian King, Khaleb Bills, Joe McCarthy and Stephanie Garcia Ramirez; and, back row, Natalie Nawik, Natalie Shui, Layla Allen Puder, Mariah McNeal, Boston Lagrone and Milania McKee.
Blackout Poetry Contest
Seventh grade students had their poems selected to be featured in a visual art series exhibition sponsored by the City of Maryland Heights Cultural Arts Commission. Their work was on display in the lobby at the Maryland Heights Government Center from April 18 to May 1. Students who had poems selected were Nabil Abaza, Layla Allen Puder, Nomin Amgalanbaatar, Hunter Askew, Kayley Austin, Khaleb Bills, Alex Carney, Carrington Clark, Kason Drysdale, Stephanie Garcia Ramirez, Gage Gerhardt, Neila Guthrie, Nayeli Harmon, William Haselbauer, Aron Kbrom, Elyse Killion, Kyian King, Boston Lagrone, Kalyb Lewis, Jennifer Lopez, Magan Lynom, Joe McCarthy, Milania McKee, Mariah McNeal, Natalie Nawik, Marta Polounin, Jameel Randol, Natalie Shui, Ava Smith, Aiden Stone, Makiyah Thomas, Cameron Turner, Danielle Young and Zahra Zaky. These students were taught by English teachers Maggie Mayberry and Melissa Wetzel and special education teacher Heather Sauerwein.
Band honors
Students earning a 1 rating at the Solo and Small Ensemble Festival were: Kenner Blandon, Lakshman Kamalakkannan and Claire Moll for alto saxophone solo; Adrienne Butler for baritone solo; Eli Bennight for baritone saxophone solo; Aidyn White for bass clarinet solo; Layla Allen Puder, Amanda Garcia Ortiz, Lily Gunawan, Addyson Holmes, Audrey Jimenez Mejia, Alexis Leap, Jennifer Lopez, Kyla Overbey, Lauraelle Pierre, Lidia Pineda and Gwen Welch for flute solo;
Vincent Luebbers for horn solo; Eddie Bagsby, Kyle Eleby and Magnus Maclin for percussion solo; Omolola Ogunmola for trombone solo; Noah Cantrell and Golden Curtis for trumpet solo; Holmes and Welch for flute duet; Bennight, Moll, Ezra Samayoa and Preston Stevens for saxophone duet; Ogunmola and Julianna Riley for trombone duet; Blair Bittick and Ellen Slocum for woodwind duet; Charlotte Evans, Overbey and Pineda for flute trio; and Esther Adekunle, Olivia Evans, Kamryn Overbey and Pierre for woodwind quartet. Students who earned a 2 rating were Alex Carter, Raegan Fuwell, Kiersten Lohagen, Lexiely Santos, Destini Varela and Avery Waller for clarinet solo; Javon Griffin and Sierra Lumsden for flute solo; Hunter Askew and William Haselbauer for mixed duet; and Bagsby, Caleb Guss, Kamalakkannan and Mason Tijerina for mixed quartet. The band was directed by Abby Hall and Liz Pace.
Choir honors
A group of sixth grade students were selected by teacher nomination to the St. Louis Suburban 5th/6th Grade Honor Choir. These students were Giovanni Corsolini, Henry Hershberger, London House, Korraligh Johnson, Mason Kuhn, Paige Terrell, Brian Vance and Josselin Vasquez Alvarado. At the Solo and Small Ensemble Festival, students earned a 1 rating for vocal solo. They were Nomin Amgalanbaatar, Skylar Kuzuf and Caden McCandless. Blair Bittick earned a 2 rating for vocal solo. The choir was directed by Kurtis Heinrich.
Orchestra honors
Eva
and Vrusha
Students who earned a 1 rating at the Solo and Small Ensemble Festival were: Cohl McTyer and Vrusha Upadhyaya for bass solo; Oliver Strauser for cello solo; Kamren Johnson for viola solo; and Mary Dyer and Pearl Krieger for violin solo. Earning a 2 rating were: Douglas Chatman for cello solo; Gianna Spinali for bass solo; Eva Warren for viola solo; Brendon Johnson, Bricyn Love, Natalie Nawik, Omma Oyeilumi, Devina Skye and Elaina Underwood for violin
and,
Natalie Barton and Oyeilumi for string duet; and Kamryn Garland, Ada Newton and Underwood for string trio. The orchestra was directed by Marie Brown and Carlye Feeney.
solo;
Henry Hershberger
Gunawan
Members of the Pattonville Heights band include, from left, front row, William Haselbauer; second row, Lexiely Santos, Destini Varela, Blair Bittick, Amanda Garcia Ortiz, Aidyn White and Alex Carter; and, back row, Kenner Blandon, Ezra Samayoa, Claire Moll, Layla Allen Puder, Ellen Slocum, Eddie Bagsby, Caleb Guss and Javon Griffin.
Members of Holman’s orchestra include, from left, front row, Danyelle Trammell, Talynn Glover, Aaron Voss, Andrew Meyer Tuter, Hazel Edmonds and Parker Gliedt; and, back row, Caleb Sosman, Garrison Parker, Emanuel Turja Elvira,
Members of the Pattonville Heights orchestra include, from left, front row, Elaina Underwood, Devina Skye, Omma Oyeilumi, Natalie Barton and Bricyn Love; second row, Douglas Chatman and
Warren;
back row, Natalie Nawik
Upadhyaya.
Levi Dukes
of the cheerleading teams include, from left, front row, coaches Alexus Blount and Samantha Wandersee, and students Imari Young, Ja’Tyla Chatman, Danya Green, Tristyn Russell, coach Makenzie Williams, students Journi Guthrie and Peyton Monroe; second row, McKenzie Dawson, Kaylin Belk, Lola Berry, Zoelle Clark, Mia Duenas, Susy Lopez, Gabriella Serra and Jayla Essex; third row, Bella McCarthy, Nyia Johnson, Sophie Lohman, Morgan Leb, Mackenzie Smith, Kyleigh Lincoln, Gabriela Garcia, Cadence Barrale and Jada Duncan; and, back row, Chelsey Felder, Amani Fisher, Chloé Tate, Liliana Caldwell, Jayla Jackson, Kendyl Blair, Saniyah Robinson and Aubrey Wiggins.
Cheer honors
The varsity cheerleading team earned second place at the National Cheerleading Association (NCA) Regional Qualifier after earning first place in regionals. Members of the team were Kaylin Belk, Lola Berry, Ja’Tyla Chatman, Zoelle Clark, McKenzie Dawson, Mia Duenas, Jayla Essex, Danya Green, Journi Guthrie, Akira Kendrick, Susy Lopez, Peyton Monroe, Tristyn Russell, Gabriella Serra and Imari Young. Dawson and Serra also earned academic all-conference. Additionally, the junior varsity team earned second place at regionals. Members of the junior varsity team were Cadence Barrale, Kendyl Blair, Morgan Booth, Liliana Caldwell, Jada Duncan, Chelsey Felder, Amani Fisher, Gabriela Garcia, Jayla Jackson, Nyia Johnson, Morgan Leb, Kyleigh Lincoln, Sophie Lohman, Bella McCarthy, Saniyah Robinson, Mackenzie Smith, Chloé Tate and Aubrey Wiggins. The cheerleading teams were coached by Samantha Wandersee with the assistance of Alexus Blount and Makenzie Williams.
Winter Guard
The winter guard competed in two regional championships and other state- and national-level competitions. At the regional championships in Omaha, the varsity team placed third. At the regional championships in Tennessee, varsity earned fourth place, advancing to finals where they placed fifth overall, marking their highest score at a regional competition. The varsity team competed at the national semifinals and were ranked in the top 24 teams. Members of the varsity winter guard team were Rowan Bowers, Addison Gerdes, Jasmine Hill, Lauren Hunt, Iyanna Johnson, London Luellen, Iana Medley, Patricia Menga, Kathryn Mercurio, Edward Papalotzi Hernandez, Samiya Smith and Tommy Wilson. At regionals in Omaha, the junior varsity team earned fourth place and, in Tennessee, earned seventh place in the preliminary rounds. The team also competed at state championships and placed third overall. Members of the junior varsity team were Ciara Brady, Brooklynne Harris, Allie Hill, Ellyse Howard, Jordynn Lee, Itza Sanchez Colula and Alyssa Spencer. The winter guard team was coached by Charlie Bourrage.
Baseball honors
Adam Reddy earned academic all-state. Students named all-conference first team were Nate Friedrich and Mason Lee for pitching and Reddy and Jace Robinson for outfield. Students named all-conference second team were Bryion Fips for infield, Jordan Johnson for outfield and Zayden Patel for pitching. Ben Usry received the all-conference sportsmanship award. Students named academic all-conference were Jose Alvarado Armenta, Friedrich and Jack Scott. The baseball team was coached by Victor Fink with the assistance of Doug McGhee.
Golf honors
Students named all-conference second team were Mark Kendrick and Shota Kikuchi. Students named all-conference honorable mention were Alex Toler, Zachary Usry and Tristan Walker. The golf team was coached by Scott Hutson with the assistance of David Gross.
Lacrosse honors
Jessika Williams was named all-conference first team and Lola Hennrich was named all-conference second team. Jessica Bae was named all-conference honorable mention. The girls lacrosse team was coached by Hannah Cooper with the assistance of Savannah Sowell, Alexandria Taylor and Sophia Zegar.
Soccer honors
Girls track and field honors
Theresa Rothkopf was named all-conference offensive player of the year. Students named all-conference first team were Rylan Denbow, Kady Ohlsen and Alyssa Yin. Students named all-conference second team were Aiva Barry, Sophia Luraschi and Kalie Vogel. Maggie Campbell received the all-conference sportsmanship award. Students who earned academic all-conference were Barry, Aliya Curry, Denbow, Luraschi, Ohlsen, Lucy Rothkopf, Theresa Rothkopf, Vogel and Yin. The soccer team was coached by MaryClare Stoker with the assistance of Tom Iffrig and Jake Kim.
Tennis honors
Derick Lopez was named conference player of the year and all-conference first team for doubles. James Barton was named all-conference first team for doubles and all-conference second team for singles. Cameron Braggs received the all-conference sportsmanship award. The tennis team was coached by Shaun Patrick.
Boys track and field honors
Andrew Bryson competed at the state championship meet and placed first in para shot put, second in para mixed discus throw and fourth in the para 100 meter dash. Additional members of the team competed at the sectional meet after qualifying at districts. Brayden Halter placed fifth in the 1600 meter run after placing second at districts. Kayden Johnston placed sixth in the 300 meter hurdles after placing fourth at districts. Simon Muthemba placed sixth in the 3200 meter run after qualifying in third place at districts. Jackson Powell qualified for the 400-meter dash after placing fourth at districts. The boys 4x200 meter relay team placed seventh at sectionals and broke the school record for this event after placing first at districts. Members of the relay team were Aeran Collins Flemister, Johnston, Powell and Gary Williams Jr.
Members of the girls track and field team competed at the state championship meet after qualifying at the sectional and district meets. At state, Havyn Smith placed third in the 100 meter dash, seventh in the 200 meter dash and, in the preliminary round, fourth in the 400 meter dash. She placed first in each of these events at sectionals and districts. Olivia Hurd placed third in the 400 meter dash at state after placing second at sectionals and districts and sixth in the 200 meter dash after placing third at sectionals and second at districts. She also qualified for sectionals in the 100 meter dash after placing third at districts. Gabrielle Hurd qualified for state in the 800 meter dash after placing second at sectionals and districts. The 4x400 meter relay team placed eighth at state after qualifying at sectionals and earning first place at districts. The team also broke the school record for this event. Members of the relay team were Makayla Gordon, Gabrielle Hurd, Olivia Hurd and Smith. Smith also competed in the indoor track and field season, including the USA Track and Field (USATF)-sanctioned New Balance Indoor National Championship meet in Boston from March 13 to 15. There, Smith earned first place in the freshman division of the 60 meter and 400 meter dashes and, in the 60 meter dash, she set a new meet record and was No. 1 in the state. Smith received the most votes to earn the 2025 Missouri Indoor Track and Field Performer of the Year honor from MileSplit Missouri and was named top 10 in the country. The Pattonville track and field teams were coached by Chaun Tate with the assistance of Kevin Clark, Natasha Fortenbury, Chris Gleghorn, Matthew McClellan, Kayla Smith and Kenya Whitney.
Volleyball
The boys volleyball team earned first place in the district championship and players also earned individual honors. Students named all-district first team were: Milo Mainquist, Quinntes Rider and Xander Werthmuller. Named all-district second team was Cullison McCoy. Students were also named to all-conference teams. Rider was named all-conference first team. McCoy and Werthmuller were named all-conference second team. Mainquist, AJ Meredith and Delmichael Primus were named all-conference honorable mention. Tristan Curry was selected to receive the all-conference sportsmanship award. Additional members of the district championship team were Adam Aburomila, Aiden Alvey, Paulo Appleton, Brandon Elder, Malachi Jackson, Drew Koller, Bryan McClelland and Eli Sandheinrich. The volleyball team was coached by Jenell Franken with the assistance of Jessica Hale.
Water polo
Students on the water polo team earned academic all-conference. They were Zack Brower, Lucy Hartley, Janani Kamalakkannan, Thomas Reddy and Cooper Salvia. The water polo team was coached by Tom Crockett, who was named the conference coach of the year, with the assistance of Gabe Faron.
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Jessika Williams
Havyn Smith
Members of the boys track team include, from left, Brayden Halter, Andrew Bryson and Gary Williams Jr.
Members of the soccer team include, from left, Lucy Rothkopf, Alyssa Yin and Theresa Rothkopf.
Members
Important information about re-enrollment
Parents/guardians of students returning to the Pattonville School District in August will receive an email the week of July 1 notifying them that returning student registration is available online. The email will provide step-by-step instructions for completing the registration process. If returning student registration is not completed, a student will not receive a schedule or be added to a class list, depending on their grade level. Parents/guardians are asked to take a few moments to complete their returning student registration to ensure their student is ready for the first day of school. The deadline to complete returning student registration is Aug. 4 for middle and high schools and Aug. 8 for elementary schools and the Academy of Innovation at Remington. The first day of school for the 2025-2026 school year is Aug. 18. Additional information and details on new student enrollment can be found at www.psdr3.org/enroll
Oasis tutors honored
Pattonville celebrated the end of the year with an Oasis Appreciation Luncheon on May 28. The Oasis program trains volunteer senior adults to work one-on-one with elementary-aged children on reading, writing and communication skills. During the event, tutors received special recognition for reaching milestones in their service to Pattonville students.
This year, Pattonville had more than 40 tutors commit to spending time each week with a student. Honored for 20 years were Jesse Napoli and Mike Sonderman. Recognized for 10 years were Jeanean Belk and Susan Erickson. Marking five years of service were Eloise Hatfield and JoAnn Lewis.
Those interested in becoming an Oasis tutor can learn more by visiting Pattonville’s website at www.psdr3.org/community/older-adults or contact Gracie Wrinkle, Pattonville community relations specialist, at wrinkleg02@psdr3.org or (314) 2138025.
Pattonville teacher wins Loeb Prize for STEM education
P
attonville High School science teacher Amy Schwendemann was named the winner of the Loeb Prize for Excellence in Teaching Science and Mathematics, a prestigious award presented by the St. Louis Science Center to honor outstanding educators in the St. Louis area. The award recognizes teachers who inspire a passion in STEM learning with their students.
Schwendemann was named the award recipient during a ceremony on May 15 at the James S. McDonnell Planetarium in Forest Park. The event celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Loeb Prize and recognized Schwendemann and the finalists for their dedication to inspiring students in science and math classrooms.
The Loeb Prize, created in 1995 and endowed in 2002 by Carol Loeb and her late husband, Jerome Loeb, honors six through 12th grade educators in the St. Louis area who enhance their students’ performance in science and math. The Loebs developed the prize to demonstrate their dedication to educators and elevate public appreciation for teachers, particularly those in math and science, who inspire the next generation. The award highlights the essential role of effective teaching in advancing
student achievement and fostering curiosity in STEM.
“As our world continues to evolve rapidly, students must excel not only in their academic fields but also in 21st-century skills,” Schwendemann said after receiving the award. “My ultimate goal is for my students to leave my class with the confidence to embark on the next chapter of their lives.”
Schwendemann was nominated by her peers. After being selected as a finalist, she gave a virtual presentation about her teaching methods, which included a video tour of the school’s greenhouse, produced in collaboration with students in Pattonville’s TV production classes.
During the 30 years the award has been given, three Pattonville teachers have been selected to receive the Loeb Prize. In addition to Schwendemann, the other honorees are Jo Ellen Leeke and Barb Weekley.
Students were invited to attend the award ceremony and a special screening of the Omnimax film “Volcanoes” at the Science Center following the presentation.
Parkwood administrative intern selected for 2025-2026
The Pattonville Board of Education, on June 10, approved the selection of Nathaniel Laffoon as the administrative intern at Parkwood Elementary School. He will begin his new position on July 25.
Laffoon is currently a Project Lead the Way (PLTW) teacher at Hoech Middle School in the Ritenour School District. Prior to this, he was a second and fourth grade teacher at Wyland Elementary School in Ritenour, a second and third grade teacher in Columbia Public Schools
and a fourth grade teacher in the Moberly School District. Laffoon has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Lindenwood University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from William Woods University.
Laffoon enters a position being vacated by Liz Strain. Nathaniel Laffoon
PHS honors the Class of 2025 at Senior Awards Night
Members of the Class of 2025 were recognized during Senior Awards Night before graduation. Pattonville High School senior Gabrielle Hurd was named the Outstanding Senior for the Class of 2025. The Outstanding Senior is chosen each year from teacher nominations.
The high school also honored several seniors with Outstanding Senior Departmental Awards and other special recognitions. Each department recognizes one student who has shown outstanding academic achievement, leadership and citizenship. This year’s departmental award winners were: Maya Baum, English language arts; Emily Derhake, band; Nmesomachukwu Ezeokafor, French; Katarina Garland, community service; Charlotte Johnson, production technology arts (Pirate TV); Janani Kamalakkannan, science; Sophia Knize, Spanish; Derick Lopez, social studies; Kaylee Mansker, German; Marissa Marsala, family and consumer sciences; Christopher Martir-Hernandez, health sciences; Wendy Mwaniki, orchestra; Joseph Lewis, physical education; Ellis North, theater; Omolara Ogunmola, vocal music; Simran Parmar, English learner; Antania Pratt, business; Sarah Pruitt, art; Hannah Richardson, industrial technology; Addison Swanson, ECHO yearbook; Matthew Wasser, computer science and math; and Alexander Werthmuller, engineering.
The following students were recognized with special awards: Emma Eiswirth, St. Louis Post-Dispatch Scholar Athlete; Paris Hill, Thomas Frick Service Award; and Simon Muthemba and Adam Reddy, Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Sportsmanship Award. Special community scholarships were presented to recipients on stage followed by students recognized with academic and achievement awards.
To view a photo gallery, go to bit.ly/PHSSeniorAwardsNight25.
Students who earned departmental awards during the 2025 Pattonville High School Senior Awards Night are shown with their plaques.
Gabrielle Hurd was named the 2025 Outstanding Senior.
Pattonville Oasis tutors were recognized for earning years of service honors during an appreciation event at the end of the school year. From left, are Pattonville community relations specialist and the district’s Oasis coordinator Gracie Wrinkle and Oasis tutors Jeanean Belk, Mike Sonderman and Eloise Hatfield.
Schwendemann
PATTONVILLE CLASS OF 2025 IN THEIR WORDS...
Excerpts from the student speakers of the Class of 2025
“As I think back to our highlights of our years together, what stands out to me are the little moments. The unspoken ones. The times that you’ve laughed with your friends until your stomach hurts. The compliment you received from someone in the hallway at 8:14 in the morning that made your day just a little brighter. Those little moments enrich our life experiences, give us strength to face our bigger challenges and give us purpose. And now they’re the only moments that we remember when we reflect on our high school experience. I want to encourage you to appreciate the small things that we don’t notice. We are so caught up in chasing success, chasing excellence, that we oftentimes forget to slow down and appreciate the magic in the little moments, and their roles in making us who we are today. I ask you to appreciate the authenticity in who you are, because it will propel you forward as you seek out who you want to be.”
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-From a speech by Wendy Mwaniki
attonville School District raised us to be who we are today. Our class made Pattonville a home. We supported each other on dark days so we could make them brighter. We created this family that ultimately will never leave no matter where life takes us in this big world. We are a class that succeeds. This class is truly special. At Pattonville High School, we don’t settle for medioc-arrrgh! Instead, we raise our hooks and steer our ships! Then we travel through the eye of the storm, ultimately facing our fears and becoming the captain of our own lives. We are all starting a new chapter and it’s up to each of us Scallywags to take control of it. Take that risk! Don’t stop growing! And make your life a great one worth living. Fair winds, Pirate friends!
-From a speech by Ellis North
Watch the speeches
To see the speeches, visit Pattonville’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/PattonvilleR3.
About Our Graduates
• 422 students graduated in the Class of 2025
• 88% plan on continuing their education at four-year universities, two-year colleges or career/technical/ apprenticeship programs
• 9 students have enlisted in the military
• 122 students earned the honors of summa, magna or cum laude (3.5 weighted GPA or greater)
• 60 students earned A+ status, which makes them eligible for paid tuition to any Missouri community college or career education school
• 46 students earned industry-recognized credentials or certifications such as certified nurse assistant, 911 dispatching, education fundamentals, Boeing PreEmployment Training and ServSafe certification
• Seniors earned $8 million in scholarships
• 11 students qualified to receive Missouri’s Bright Flight Scholarship based on earning an ACT score in the top 3% to 5% of Missouri students
• Seniors completed 37,800 hours of community service during high school
• 25 students earned community service honor cords for volunteering 150 hours or more
• Top 3 seniors for service hours: Katarina Garland (828 hours), Anastasiya Richardson (625 hours) and Gabrielle Kellner (478 hours)
To see more photos from graduation, visit bit.ly/PHSGraduation25.
Left, senior Antonio Contreras looks into the audience during graduation while standing for earning cum laude honor. Right, senior Jordyn Courson sends kisses to her family during the processional.
Top left, senior Charlotte Lohman stands during the performance of the school alma mater “High on a Hilltop.” Above left, senior Carter Gray, left, receives his diploma from his dad, Pattonville Board of Education director Dr. Brian Gray. Right, senior choir members join the entire choir to sing a final song, “In Meeting We Are Blessed,” together during graduation. Before the song, senior Melissa Jordan, left, and sophomore Taylor Gray hold hands.
Top left, senior Faith Cunningham, left, shakes hands with Pattonville High School principal Teisha Ashford. Left, senior Reagan Nelson, left, is photographed after hugging her dad, superintendent Dr. Barry Nelson. Above, senior David Coleman Jr. shakes hands with counselor Michael Boulanger.
