Highlights June 2019

Highlights Pattonville A top-tier district in Missouri and the U.S.

School news for parents, residents and staff of the Pattonville School District

JUNE 2019

Inside

Free summer meals offered for children ages 18 and under in Pattonville - See page 2 for details

Parents, look for information on re-enrolling your child in July

- See page 2 for details

Congratulations to the

CLASS OF 2019 Approximately 375 Pattonville High School seniors graduated during their school’s commencement ceremonies on May 28. Above, graduating seniors are all smiles during the ceremony.

Shown are from left, Evonna Harris, Logan Harder, Laura Harder and Lacey Harder. At left, seniors Chad Jones, left, and Sarah Johnson pause for a joyous photo while exiting the arena floor after graduation. For more information on the Class of 2019, see page 3 and the back page of this newsletter.

A photo gallery from graduation can be found online at events.psdr3.org.

Dr. Tim Pecoraro Superintendent

Pattonville is an award-winning public district in St. Louis County, Missouri.

The district is fully accredited by the state and is recognized for academic success on the regional, state and national level.

Non-Profit U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 1 St. Ann, MO

Our Mission That ALL will learn.

Pattonville School District 11097 St. Charles Rock Road St. Ann, MO 63074-1509

BOARD OF EDUCATION

Andrea Glenn, President Dr. Brian Gray, Vice President Mindy Ridings, Secretary Mary Kay Campbell, Treasurer Ruth Petrov, Director Dr. Amanda Lienau Purnell, Director Jeanne Schottmueller, Director

From the Superintendent

End of one journey, beginning of another T

he 2018-2019 school year has come to a close! What a fantastic year it was for our students and staff.

We celebrated the accomDr. Tim Pecoraro Superintendent plishments of Follow on Twitter: our outstanding @PattonvilleSupt employees and volunteers at our annual District Appreciation Night on May 6 and wrapped up the school year with our commencement ceremony at the St. Charles Family Arena on May 28.

Graduation is a wonderful event. It’s a time for students and families to reflect on the journey that led to this point. For parents, it no doubt feels like just yesterday they were sending their child off to kindergarten. There’s a saying I think about a lot this time of year: “Days go slow and years go fast.”

I think it applies to this situation.

The path students take to graduation doesn’t always look the same.

Some students embraced school from the start and are leaving behind a mark for future students to admire. For others, they overcame obstacles and at times wondered if graduation day would ever be a reality for them.

Regardless of how they arrived, it’s important to remember this isn’t the end. In fact, it’s only the beginning. Their time in Pattonville has helped shape who they are at this moment and prepared them for what comes next. We all know life has a way of knocking you down at some point. It happens to everyone.

How people respond defines who they are and determines their next steps. I truly believe our students are prepared to handle those moments when they come. They’re ready to take on the world and make us proud.

There’s something special about being a Pattonville Pirate. It stays with you long after you’ve left the halls of PHS. For our recent graduates, they might not feel it just yet, but they will forever be connected to our community. Years from now they’ll cherish their memories and take satisfaction in knowing they played a role in keeping the legacy of Pattonville strong.

BOARD PROFILE: Mary Kay Campbell, treasurer Mission to support Pattonville children spans decades E

ven after working more than three decades in teered as an Oasis tutor and most recently worked education, school board treasurer Mary Kay one-on-one with a student at Drummond ElemenCampbell felt a calling to continue to do her part tary School. She is also a member of the Bridgeton to help provide a quality education for PattonKiwanis Club, an organization whose mission is to ville’s children. change the world one child and one community at “I wanted to serve on the board of education to a time. She works with several youth programs the ensure that Pattonville remains one of the best, highKiwanis club organizes and supports. In addition, achieving districts in the state,” Campbell said. “My Campbell was licensed to provide a foster home hope is that Pattonville will continue to be a district for a number of years and adopted two teenagers of distinction preparing all students to be successful, in 2007.

Mary Kay Campbell productive members of our community.”

“I am very grateful for all of my blessings,” Campbell credits her decades of teaching in the classroom Campbell said. “I loved being a special education teacher and as her greatest preparation for the role of a school board continue to teach and reach others in the many roles I curmember. She worked in Pattonville for 32 years as a Special rently have.”

School District (SSD) teacher before retiring in 2011. She She said she is most proud of the impact she has made joined the school board by appointment in 2015, filling a on children in the classroom who had special needs and also vacant position, and was elected to the board in 2016. Campfor the work she has done to educate others about the imporbell is currently employed as a homebound teacher for SSD tance of recycling. Former students and community members and also works for the St. Louis Cardinals as a Green Team frequently recognize her as the lady who teaches others about supervisor for events at Busch Stadium. She is the parent of recycling. two Pattonville graduates.

“I am very passionate about recycling and educating others Campbell’s passion for helping children extends beyond on recycling habits,” she said. “I don’t have much free time,” the board room. For the past three years, Campbell has volun- she said. “I love being busy!”

Pattonville offers free summer meals for children C

hildren ages 18 and under can access free summer meals through Pattonville’s participation in the federal Seamless Summer Program. Offered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the program is designed to ensure students have access to meals during the summer when school is not in session.

Meals are available at Holman Middle School through July 26 as follows: 8:30 to 9 a.m. for breakfast and 11 a.m. to noon for lunch, Mondays through Fridays (except July 1 through 5). Adults may also purchase meals for $1.80 for breakfast and $3.35 for lunch. No reservations are necessary.

For more information, call (314) 213-8054.

Parents: Look for email regarding re-enrollment in July P

arents and guardians of returning Pattonville students will receive an email on July 5 notifying them that online registration is available. The email will provide step-by-step instructions for completing the registration process. Parents must complete this process in order for their child to receive a middle or high school schedule or be added to a class list at the elementary level. Parents are encouraged to take a few moments to complete their child’s online registration to ensure their child is ready for the first day of school. The deadline to complete online registration is Aug. 5 for middle and high schools and Aug. 9 for elementary schools and Remington Traditional School. For questions, please contact the student services hotline at (314) 213-8004.

•2•

ALUMNI SUCCESS

Graduates in the news Find out more: alumni.psdr3.org Dr. Rob Hornberger, Class of 1990 - Hornberger has been named the associate vice president for enrollment management and services at Missouri State University (MSU). He will begin his new role on Aug. 1. He is currently the assistant vice president for enrollment management and services/registrar at the college and has held a variety of other roles during his 22 years at MSU. Brian Clark, Class of 2010 - Clark was selected to receive a three-year National Science Foundation (NSF) Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowship that will fund research and outreach in astrophysics. This fellowship award follows a 2016 NSF threeyear graduate research fellowship Brian Clark award, which Clark used to fund research in astrophysics while a graduate student in the physics department at The Ohio State University (OSU). He used some of the grant funding in February 2018 for a month-long stint in the South Pole conducting experiments measuring neutrinos. Clark will use his postdoctoral fellowship grant at Michigan State University in East Lansing this fall after graduating in August from OSU with his doctorate degree. The NSF awards less than 10 postdoctoral fellowships each year through a highly competitive process. Clark will receive $100,000 per year for three years for salary and expenses to continue research on neutrinos and engage in educational outreach.

Outstanding Senior, other department honorees recognized during Senior Awards Night P

Seniors make celebratory visit to former schools

P

attonville High School seniors returned to their elementary schools (and one middle school) to celebrate and remember their journey to graduation. Hosting the senior walks this year were Bridgeway, Drummond, Parkwood, Rose Acres and Willow Brook elementary schools, as well as Remington Traditional School and Holman Middle School. The visits served as a way to celebrate the seniors’ journey, while also showing younger students how important achieving graduation is. A video featuring all the walks can be found on Pattonville’s Facebook page. Top left photo, former students of Rose Acres Elementary School teacher Michelle Wagner pose with her after their walk. Top right photo, seniors who attended Willow Brook Elementary School reacquainted themselves with the school playground after their walk. Bottom photo, Sydney Beins leads a group of seniors as they walk through the halls of Drummond Elementary School.

Pattonville recognizes Top 10 in Class of 2019

P

attonville High School announced and recognized the school’s Top 10 seniors (based on grade point average at the end of the first semester) during an allschool assembly. The high school presented the Top 10 seniors with shirts from the universities they will attend after graduation. These students have grade point averages (GPAs) that fall between a 4.65 and a 4.8 on a 5-point weighted scale. The Top 10 seniors in the Pattonville Class of 2019, their declared majors and the universities they will attend are: 1 - Mario Jauregui, majoring in chemistry with an emphasis on pre-med at Washington University in St. Louis; 2 (tie) - Will Polster, double majoring in computer science and political science at Harvard University; 2 (tie) - Edmond Zhang, double majoring in English and human rights at Columbia University in New York; 4 - Rachel Williamson, majoring in genetics at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana;

5 - Savanna Wooten, majoring in music education with a Pemberton Presidential Scholarship at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston; 6 - Alex Newett, majoring in aerospace engineering at the Missouri University of Science and Technology; 7 - Victoria Lofland, majoring in physics with a minor in French at the Honors College at the University of Missouri-Columbia on a full ride scholarship; 8 - Gage Menk, majoring in architecture and minoring in urban design with a full-ride Questbridge Scholarship at Washington University in St. Louis; 9 - Nichole DeKoster, double majoring in prephysical therapy and dance at Southeast Missouri State University; and 10 - Mikayla Bridges, double majoring in film and Spanish as an Ervin Scholar (receiving full tuition) at Washington University in St. Louis.

The Top 10 seniors in the Class of 2018 are, from left, Mario Jauregui, Will Polster, Edmond Zhang, Rachel Williamson, Savanna Wooten, Alex Newett, Victoria Lofland, Gage Menk, Nichole DeKoster and Mikayla Bridges.

•3•

attonville High School senior Will Polster was named the Outstanding Senior for the Class of 2019 during Senior Awards Night on May 23.

The Outstanding Senior is chosen each year from teacher nominations. The high Will Polster, left, accepts the Outstanding school also Senior Award from his principal, Dr. Joe Dobrinic. honored several seniors with Outstanding Senior To view photos from Awards Night, Departmental go online at events.psdr3.org.

Awards and other special recognitions.

Each department recognizes one student who has shown outstanding academic achievement, leadership and citizenship. This year’s Outstanding Senior Departmental Award winners are: Kendall Battle, business; Mikayla Bridges, Pirate Sports Network; Madison Brown, ECHO yearbook; Michael Chien, Thomas Frick Service Award; Celia Friedrich, art; Najee Glass, family and consumer science; Emily Johnson, modern languages (Spanish); Sarah Johnson, community service and English language arts; Hannah Jones, modern languages (German); Kaitlyn Kelly, theater; Micah Lee, vocal music; Victoria Lofland, science; Gage Menk, mathematics; Nathaniel O’Connell, social studies; Polster, speech and debate; Brayden Procter, skilled technical sciences; Steven Smith II, physical education; Abigail Surlet, orchestra; Jacob Wilfong, modern languages (French); Isaiah Wilkes, technology and engineering; Savanna Wooten, band; Leyi Zhang, English learner; and Maggie Zumwalt, health sciences.

The following special awards were also recognized: Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Sportsmanship Award - Lofland and Wilkes; St. Louis Post-Dispatch Scholar Athlete - Battle; Four-Year Perfect Attendance - Joseph Ayers and Zumwalt; and Commended Student, National Merit Scholarship program - Menk.

VIEW MORE

Shown are seniors who earned Outstanding Senior Departmental Awards at Pattonville High Schoo

Bragging Writes-Sports Honors, Awards and Achievements by Pattonville Students and Staff

Boys volleyball state finalists

The boys volleyball team earned a trip to the state final four playoffs for the first time in school history. Cole Cwiklowski earned All-Metro First Team and All-Conference First Team honors. Also named All-Conference First Team were Cole Schuler and Rodney Wallace. The team was coached by Kyle Walsh with the assistance of Alexa Kramer.

Members of the award-winning girls track and field team include, from left, front row, Amaya Washington, Karen Rosales and Lucy Ndungu; and back row, Samaya Peterson and Keilah Wilkes.

PATTONVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

Girls track state finalist

The girls track and field team placed second at the state competition. The team was also named sectional, conference and district champions. Two athletes earned state champion recognition: Kendall Battle in long jump and Diamond Richardson in discus. Battle also earned second at state in triple jump. Taking second at state in the 4x200 meter relay were Demisha Anglin, Battle, Brooke Jenkins, Zharia Matthews and Amaya Washington. Placing second at state in the 4x400 meter relay were Anglin, Battle, Cordelia Hautekeete, Jenkins, Matthews and Keilah Wilkes. Taking third place at state were Richardson in triple jump and Wilkes in the 800 meter run. Samaya Peterson placed fourth at state in the triple jump and seventh in the long jump. All of these athletes were named All-State. Lucy Ndungu was also part of the overall team that earned second at state.

Anglin was also a sectional and district champion in the 4x200 and 4x400 meter relays, a state and sectional qualifier in the 400 meter dash and conference champion in the 4x200 meter relay. Battle was also a sectional, district and conference champion in the 4x200 and 4x400 meter relays and a state and sectional qualifier and district champion in the javelin. Hautekeete was also a sectional qualifier in the 4x800 meter relay. Jenkins was also a sectional, district and conference champion in the 4x200 and 4x400 meter relays and long jump and state and sectional qualifier and sectional, district and conference champion in the triple jump. Matthews was also a sectional, district and conference champion in the 4x200 and 4x400 meter relays. Ndungu was also a state and sectional qualifier in the 3200 meter run and sectional qualifier in the 1600 meter run. Richardson was also a sectional, district and conference champion in discus and shot put. Wilkes was also a sectional, district and conference champion in the 4x400 meter relay and a sectional and conference champion in the 800 meter run. Battle and Richardson were named All-Metro First Team and Anglin, Battle, De’ionna Claiborne, Hautekeete, Jenkins, Matthews, Ndungu, Peterson, Richardson, Washington and Wilkes were named All-Conference First Team.

Also part of the sectional, conference and district championship track and field team were Abigail Hachmeister, Laura Harder, Natali Pina Guadalupe, Kalista Roades and Karen Rosales, who were sectional qualifiers in the 4x800 meter relay. Also members of the conference and district championship track and field team were Claiborne, Da’viona Bonner and Jazara Word. The team was coached

by Corey Lewis, with the assistance of Kyle Hall, Margaret Hall, Scott Hauser and Kara White.

Members of the award-winning boys track and field team include, from left, Isaiah Wilkes, Grant Wedig and Alex Djetto.

Boys track honors

At the boys state track championship, Michael Jackson placed fifth in long jump, and Isaiah Wilkes placed eighth in discus. Both were named All-State. They were part of the team that won the district championship.

That team also included Nolan Cobbs, Alex Djetto, Julius Erby, Lucas Gibson, Robert Gibson, Kyle Halveland, Logan Harder, Collins Karanja, Brandon Price, Donovan Prott, Hameed Qasem, Terrell Sanderson, Jeron Smith, Travis Tyler, Aaron Webb, Andre Webb, Grant Wedig, Ronald Wilkerson and Cameron Woods.

Djetto was also a state qualifier in the 4x100 meter relay, a sectional qualifier in the 4x800, 4x200 and 4x400 meter relays, and conference champion in the 4x800 meter relay. Erby was a sectional qualifier and district champion in the high jump. Lucas Gibson was a sectional qualifier and conference champion in the 4x800 meter relay and sectional qualifier in the 1600 and 800 meter runs. Robert Gibson was a sectional qualifier and conference champion in the 4x800 meter relay and sectional qualifier in the 1600 and 3200 meter runs. Halveland was a sectional qualifier in the 4x400 meter relay. Jackson was a state and sectional qualifier and district and conference champion in the 4x100 meter relay and long jump.

Karanja was a sectional qualifier and conference champion in the 4x800 meter relay. Prott was a state and sectional qualifier and district champion in javelin. Qasem was a state and sectional qualifier in high jump. Sanderson was a state and sectional qualifier in shot put. Smith was a sectional qualifier in the 300 meter hurdles. Tyler was a state and sectional qualifier in the 200 meter dash and 4x100 meter relay, a sectional qualifier in the 4x200 and 4x400 meter relays, a district and conference champion in the 4x100 meter relay and a conference champion in the 200 meter dash. Aaron Webb was a state and sectional qualifier in the 4x100 meter relay. Andre Webb was a state and sectional qualifier and district and conference champion in the 4x100 meter relay and sectional qualifier in the 4x200 meter relay. Wilkes was a sectional qualifier and district and conference champion in discus. Price was a sectional qualifier in javelin. Woods was a state and sectional qualifier and district and conference champion in the 4x100 meter relay and sectional qualifier in the 200 meter dash and 4x200 meter relay.

Earning All-Conference First Team honors were Djetto, Erby, Lucas Gibson, Robert Gibson, Halveland, Jackson, Karanja, Qasem, Sanderson, Smith, Tyler, Andre Webb, Aaron Webb, Wilkes and Woods. Jeremiah Simmons coached the team with the assistance of Kyle Hall, Margaret Hall, Scott Hauser and Kara White.

Baseball honorees are shown with coach Rob Simpson, right.

They are, from left, Nick Neal, Terry Millikan and Brandon Canada.

Baseball conference honors

On the baseball team, Hayden LaZear and Nick Neal were named All-Conference Second Team. Terry Millikan was named All-Conference Honorable Mention.

Brandon Canada was selected for the All-Conference Sportsmanship Award. The team was coached by Rob Simpson with the assistance of Victor Fink.

Boys golf conference honors

On the boys golf team, Andrew Masters was named AllConference First Team, Aaron Caldwell was named AllConference Second Team and Kyle Campbell earned All-Conference Honorable Mention. They were coached

by Scott Hutson with the assistance of David Gross.

Lacrosse conference honors

Leslie Azwell, Helen Bae, Bianca Johnson and Abigail Surlet were named All-Conference First Team in lacrosse.

Earning All-Conference Second Team were Mikayla Bridges, Victoria Lofland, Helen Nelson and Taylor Wooten. Sarah Johnson, Rachel McCormick and Sophia Zegar were named All-Conference Honorable Mention. Their coaches were David DiPasquale and Hannah Schneider.

Soccer conference honors

In girls soccer, Desire’ Adams, Kaeli Benedict, Kate Germano, Cameryn McGee and Talia Sinclair were named All-Conference First Team.

Earning All-ConferGirls soccer honorees include Kate ence Second Team Germano, left, and Grace Ohlsen. were Jordyn Lodes and Emily Schrumpf. Students named All-Conference Honorable Mention were Julia Blankenship, Macy Hanford and Cierra Pogue. Grace Ohlsen was selected for the AllConference Sportsmanship Award. The team was coached

by Jason Sellers with the assistance of Tomi Benney.

Our Learners Spotlight on

News focusing on students, staff and schools in Pattonville

Above, Parkwood Elementary School third graders A’rmanii Doyle, left, and Journeii Greenlee perform speaking parts during their musical version of the children’s book “Just Like You.” At right, third graders in Elle Irons’ class at Parkwood sing a song they wrote for their original musical.

PARKWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Third graders give life to children’s book via original musicals P arkwood Elementary School third-graders brought literature to life when they performed original musicals they wrote based on children’s books. As a project-based learning (PBL) experience, each third grade classroom selected a piece of children’s literature and used it as the basis to create a short musical which they performed for classmates and parents. The initiative was designed by Parkwood music teacher Sarah Fee while taking part in a PBL training.

Each class began by reading several children’s books and voting on one story for their class to use as its musical.

They divided up the book into several parts. For example, one class created its musical based on the book “Rainbow Fish” and divided it into six small parts, which included speaking parts and musical interludes.

Then, the class was divided into groups of two to four students.

Each group chose a small part of a song they knew and re-

wrote the words of that song to fit their part of the story.

“About half of the students chose a nursery rhyme like ‘Mary Had a Little Lamb,’ ‘Twinkle Twinkle’ or ‘Itsy Bitsy Spider.’ The other half chose small parts of popular songs like ‘Happy’ by Pharrell and ’Believer’ by Imagine Dragons,” Fee said. The process included rewrites and adding instrumental accompaniment to go with their songs. Students also worked with art teacher Janel

MacLean to design and create their own props, backdrops and signs to go with their musical.

Other books the classes translated into musicals included “Stellaluna,” “Just Like You” and “The Happy Hedgehog.”

“The third graders were so excited and motivated to write their own musical,” Fee said.

“Their own voice and personalities shine through their song choices, instrument parts and their artwork. I am really excited to see the final project.

While I am guiding their learning, they are really the ones who are making the decisions and pushing the boundaries of what was expected to really create something they can be proud of and call their own.”

Principal Melissa Yount-Ott enjoyed seeing the students engaged in the project, too.

“It’s awesome to see the level of ownership and thinking students are putting into creating this,” she said.

Pattonville students accepted into selective career programs at North Technical T

wenty-two Pattonville High School students were accepted into several selective career programs at North Technical High School for the upcoming school year. Students had to apply, interview and meet competitive admission standards for limited seats in each program. Students will attend Pattonville High School for half a day and their North Tech programs the other half. Students chosen to participate and their programs of study are as follows: • Auto Body - Edwin Cortez Gomez and Carlos Silva; • Automotive Technology - Anthony Millikan and Andrew Schmitz; • Construction Innovations - Col Cornet and Dominic Way; • Cosmetology - Rachel Riley and Victoria Ruiz Moraila;

•

Culinary Arts - Bryan Martinez, Samaya Peterson, Jennifer Ramirez and Janiya Webster; • Diesel Technology - Maurice Blackmon; • Firefighting - Joseph Brown, Jaxon Luraschi and Jonathan Payne; • Health Science - Rajiah Allen; • Law Enforcement - Jade Standifer; • Sophomore Career Exploration - Douglas Beaver and Caleb Wilson; • Veterinary Assistant - Fatima Goree; and • Web and Computer Programming - Sydney Witherspoon.

Operated by the Special School District (SSD) of St. Louis County, North Tech offers 25 tuition-free, career and technical education majors which allow students to explore their career interests while earning industry certifications, as well as college and high school credit.

•5•

Shown are some of the students who were accepted into North Tech programs. They are, from left, front row, Fatima Goree, Victoria Ruiz Moraila, Janiya Webster, Samaya Peterson and Jennifer Ramirez; and back row, Jaxon Luraschi, Dominic Way, Caleb Wilson, Maurice Blackmon and Andrew Schmitz.

BRIDGEWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

5th grade graduation celebrates past, future F PATTONVILLE EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER

Preschoolers gifted books for home

Students in the Pattonville Early Childhood Center received a special gift before they headed home for the summer. The Bridgeton Kiwanis Club donated preschool-aged books for each child at the center to select and take home to add to their home library (shown above). The Kiwanis have formed a partnership with the center and frequently visit to read to students and/or donate books to support early childhood literacy.

DRUMMOND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Students, staff celebrate International Day D

rummond Elementary School’s International Day enabled students and staff to learn about different countries and cultures around the globe while also celebrating the diversity of students at Drummond. Each teacher taught about a different continent and focused on the countries of the students in their grade levels from that continent. For example, kindergarten teacher Brenda Kelch taught about the continent of Africa and highlighted the African countries of some of her students, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia and Kenya. She also taught students a dance. Other teachers did crafts, played music or conducted games from the countries represented at Drummond. Students rotated to different classrooms with “passports” to learn about the different places (shown above). “Students learned a lot about various cultures and it was a fabulous experience,” English learner teacher Mary Sosman said. The day highlighted 26 different countries as well as the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico. Other countries highlighted included Bangladesh, Benin, Chile, China, El Salvador, Eritrea, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Japan, Lebanon, Mexico, Pakistan, the Philippines, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Turkey, Vietnam and Zimbabwe.

our fifth-grade students stood before classmates and their families and shared their elementary memories and goals for the future during Bridgeway Elementary School’s fifth grade graduation. Prior to the ceremony, each student wrote a speech and read it to his or her class, which was an empowering opportunity for students to stand in front of their classmates, share their story and be celebrated. After hearing all of the speeches and thinking about their message and delivery, the students voted for one student they wanted to represent their class at the graduation ceremony. The speeches were a reminder for everyone – students, families and staff alike – of the challenges and successes of elementary school. Just like at the high school, students wore a stole and cap, but what made it unique was that they were created by the students. Each student designed his or her own stole and drew images on it to depict their time at Bridgeway, their interests and their hopes for the future. The stoles become a memento for the students that they can look back on. In addition to the student speakers, each graduate’s name was announced and they received a certificate. The Bridgeton Police Department also awarded honorees in the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program essay contest. Following the ceremony, cake was served. The graduation ceremony was an opportunity for the community and families to celebrate the students completing elementary school and moving on to middle school (shown above).

ROSE ACRES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Spirit days raise funds to support foster children D

ecorated bags are going to 30 foster care children in the St. Louis area thanks to students at Rose Acres Elementary School. As part of the school’s Lighthouse Crew program, the students created three events and raised $820 to buy Sweet Cases through the Together We Rise Foundation. Sweet Cases are luggage bags for children in foster care that come with a teddy bear, blanket, toothbrush kit, crayons and coloring book (shown above).

All of the bags come blank, and it was up to the Rose Acres students to decorate them.

“I like Sweet Cases because it allows us to express feelings through art and it helps kids feel better about going to a new home,” fifth grader Sean Bax said. To buy the bags, the team sponsored three spirit days: dress like a friend day, red carpet day (where students came to school red-carpet ready) and crazy hair day. Students were encouraged to donate $1 to participate. The mission of the Lighthouse Crew is to support, encourage and show appreciation for all Rose Acres students and the crew wanted to lead a service project that would directly impact kids, even if they didn’t attend Rose Acres. The crew also organized a fourth spirit day – Color Day – to support a project impacting their school. Students in each grade voted on a color to wear for a day – all classes chose blue – and the money raised went to purchase a buddy bench for their playground.

•6•

REMINGTON TRADITIONAL SCHOOL

First graders make impact on their school B

ecause of the hard work of first grade students, Remington Traditional School’s entrance looks even more welcoming. As part of a project-based learning unit in economics, first graders were tasked with determining what they thought would make the school a better place to learn and work, and then figuring out how to make it happen.

Students in Kelley Dent and Allison Grigone’s first grade classes decided to raise money to improve the look of the front of the school. But first they had to brainstorm ways to make the school more welcoming and how to raise the money to accomplish that. They settled on a coffee cart business. For five weeks, students sold coffee and breakfast treats to staff. Each student was part of a business team which focused on marketing, selling or finance. The students also put together a Market Day, where they sold homemade or donated trinkets to their fellow students. After raising funds, students went to work on improving the outside of the school. They planted flowers, hung birdhouses, painted rocks and made a fairy garden (shown above). They even raised enough to help the second grade project, and the students were able to plant some flowers and paint rocks for the garden. “Students were taught that even at a young age, they can make a big difference,” Grigone said of the project. “We focused on impacting our whole school, not just our first graders. Students practiced teamwork and problem solving skills as part of this project … and have enjoyed receiving compliments from other students, parents and staff members about how their project has impacted our whole building and culture.”

WILLOW BROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Family event combines reading, fine arts T

he idea behind Willow Brook Elementary School’s first reading/fine arts night was to showcase student art and feature local resources and careers in the arts. An opening ceremony included a performance by the Dayspring School of Arts musical theater class. Later, there was a performance by Java Jived, a St. Louis jazz octet featuring music teacher Phyllis Pasley. Students chose one of their works created in art class to be displayed, allowing parents to get a glimpse into their child’s art experience and let students see the influence art has on the larger world. With support from the parent community and regional artists, the school created 18 stations for attendees to visit. Reading guests included author and illustrator Dan Killeen who shared copies of his latest coloring book; parent and illustrator Misty Amzich; and the St. Louis County Library. Performance arts guests included the Pattonville High School orchestra and piano lab; Kalice Walker, a film audio editor who showed students how audio works in films; and Comedy Sportz, a drama improv organization. On the visual arts side, guests included photographers, an interior designer and architect and artisans in candle crafts, scarves and jewelry, textile art, ceramics (shown above) and painting. Attendees also created a communal weaving piece to show art is for everyone.

PATTONVILLE HEIGHTS MIDDLE SCHOOL

HOLMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL

Students take part in annual Servathon T

o graduate from Pattonville High School, students must complete 50 hours of community service. To help acclimate them to this idea and assist in creating a sense of ownership in the community, eighth grade students at Holman Middle School participate in Servathon, an annual one-day community service experience through school. This year, nearly 200 students participated in events around Pattonville. Students volunteered for projects such as mulching, clearing trails, picking up litter and removing honeysuckle from parks including Creve Coeur, McDonnell, O’Connor, St. Ann and Tiemeyer. Other students volunteered to assist teachers and younger students at Drummond Elementary School, while others organized and packed food at the St. Louis Food Bank (shown above). “I had a lot of fun,” said Gavin Lingle, who volunteered at the food bank. “It was time well spent away from school. I think we helped some people.” After completing their service projects, students gathered back at Holman to share their experiences. Each team also created a presentation or skit to tell their classmates about their work and its importance. The goal for students isn’t just to help others but to also feel a sense of accomplishment and pride and see the effects their efforts can have on the community.

School hosts first Service Learning Day P

attonville Heights Middle School students blanketed their school and community with kindness during the school’s first Service Learning Day on May 10. Students learned about the importance of service and taking ownership of their school and community, then got to work. Approximately 105 eighth graders volunteered off-campus at locations such as other schools in Pattonville, the Sheridan, NHC Healthcare and the St. Louis Food Bank. The remaining students completed projects at school to benefit the community. Projects included creating blankets for Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital (shown above), making dog toys for Stray Rescue and dog treats for the Open Doors Animal Sanctuary, writing cards for first responders and assembling blessing bags for a local homeless shelter. Students also beautified their own campus. Service learning activities were developed based on student and staff input as well as community needs. Assistant principal Amie Bemke said “Students and staff have been invested in preparing for this day through committee work, donations and general conversations about the importance of giving back to our community. It’s been exciting to watch so many individuals focus on their own passion as it relates to the various activities being planned.” The day concluded with students reflecting on their work, sharing what they did and taking a survey to improve upon the day in future years.

•7 •

Bragging Writes

Honors, Awards and Achievements by Pattonville Students and Staff

Earning Duke TIP recognition from Pattonville Heights Middle School are, from left, front row, Tehya Cox Potter and Clare Ridings; and back row, Marlie Corson, Zaria Purvey and Abdukodir Djuraev.

DISTRICT-WIDE

Duke Talent Identification Program

Quin Kilcullen and Yashika Raja from Remington Traditional School earned grand recognition in the Duke Floyd Davis, left, and Yashika Raja from University Remington Traditional School earned recogniTalent Identi- tion in the Duke TIP program. fication Program (TIP). Grand recognition is the highest recognition in the program. Earning state recognition in the program were Tehya Cox Potter from Pattonville Heights Middle School and Norina Shao from Remington. Other students who qualified for Duke TIP were Shannon Boyles, Marlie Corson, Abdukodir Djuraev, Logan Finn, Rayden Hudson, Zaria Purvey, Jordan Ramsey Williams El and Clare Ridings, all from Pattonville Heights; and Floyd Davis, Diego Halbeck, Camren Horton and Mateo Perales from Remington. Duke TIP identifies academically talented students based on standardized test scores. Candidates who qualify based on academic performance are invited to complete either the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT college entrance examination while in middle school.

contest in the fourth and fifth grade category. Several others students earned awards in the Pattonville districtwide MLK contest. In the kindergarten and first grade category, Layla Allen Puder from Willow Brook Elementary School won first place and Will Purnell from Remington took third place. In the second and third grade category, Devin Garner from Remington earned first place and Avyion Hill from Drummond Elementary School won third place. In the fourth and fifth grade category, Melissa Small from Remington won first place and Alexander Willingham took third place. In the middle school contest, Remington students Jasmine Gordon placed first, Justin Mathews placed second and Macy Avery placed third.

Diversity Awareness Art Contest In the sixth through eighth grade division of the Diversity Awareness Partnership art contest, Eliora Adler placed first and Riley Nesheim placed second. Annalise Smith placed third in the high school division. Their middle school art teacher was Montie Richter.

MNEA awards

DRUMMOND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Greater St. Louis Science Fair

Eliora Adler

Tami Quinn was chosen to receive the Soar with the Eagles Award by the Missouri National Education Association (MNEA). She is an executive secretary and library technical assistant in the Pattonville Tami Quinn teaching and learning department and vice president of the Pattonville Educational Support Professionals (PESP). The award recognizes a member whose contribution of time, energy and/or wisdom within the past year has made a difference to the United Education Profession. Quinn was also appointed to the MNEA Governance Committee. In addition, Mary Reed, PESP president and Pattonville community education coordinator, was appointed to the MNEA Future Leaders Academy.

Addison Balch and Aralise Gaston earned a blue ribbon at the regional science fair. Ally Crawford earned a red ribbon. Earning green ribbons were Olivia Balch, Abby Crawford, Kayla Linan, Daniel Stevens and Austin Tabers, who also earned a special award from the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House.

Honorees from Parkwood Elementary School are shown with principal Melissa Yount-Ott, left, and teacher Jaycyn Schnell.

They are, from left, front row, Aiden Okorn, Justus Howard, Isabelle Mrozewski, Lauren Hawkins and Gabriela Price; and back row, Oliver Strauser, Scott Chrostowski, Jackson Rumph, Robert Chavez Medina and Chase English.

PARKWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DAR Youth Citizen Award

Fifth-grader Alivia Ball was selected to receive the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Youth Citizen award from the O’Fallon chapter of the DAR. This award is presented to students who exemplify honor, service, courage, leadership and patriotism.

MLK Poster/Essay Contest

Three Pattonville students earned state recognition in the Missouri National Education Association (MNEA) annual Martin Luther King Poster and Essay Contest. Mahdi Sarrar of Bridgeway Layla Allen Puder from Willow Brook Elementary School Elementary School, left, and Jasmine placed second in the Gordon from Remington Traditional School were honorees in the MLK kindergarten and Poster and Essay contest. first grade category after placing second in the Pattonville district-wide contest. From Remington Traditional School, Aliyah Brown placed third in the state and second in the district in the second and third grade category, and Nicholas Shaw placed third in the state and second in the Pattonville

Honorees from Drummond Elementary School include, from left, front row, Ally Crawford, Abby Crawford and Kayla Linan; and back row, Austin Tabers and Daniel Stevens.

Aliva Ball

Greater St. Louis Science Fair Honorees from Bridgeway Elementary School include, from left, front row, Cora Bland, Skylar Kuzuf, Sophia Fernandez and Sharon Judge; and back row, Matthew Judge and Matthew Duong.

BRIDGEWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Greater St. Louis Science Fair

Earning blue ribbons at the regional science fair were Emily Erickson-Karanja, Sophia Fernandez, Matthew Judge, Sharon Judge and Skylar Kuzuf. Earning a green ribbon were Cora Bland, Matthew Duong and Landon Sanderson.

•8•

Scott Chrostowski and Jackson Rumph earned blue ribbons at the regional science fair. Jaycyn Schnell’s second grade class also earned a blue ribbon. Members of her class include Noah Cantrell, Robert Chavez Medina, Dash Duron, Lucas Edmonds, Chase English, Justus Howard, Liyan Jaber, Ayaan Kureshi, Chloe Mabry, Cameron McCaleb, Cohen Moore, Isabelle Mrozewski, Aiden Okorn, Oliver Strauser, Elizabeth Wartick, Akayla Williams and Tristan Williams. Earning red ribbons were Tyran Grady, Ellie Lamy-Bearskin and Gabriela Price. Earning green ribbons were Ashton Dorsey, Lauren Hawkins, Pearl Krieger and Kureshi.

Bragging Writes

Honors, Awards and Achievements by Pattonville Students and Staff Honors Model UN

The following students were invited to participate in the Honors Model UN (United Nations) session: Michael Fennewald, Beckett Grabner, Quin Kilcullen, Olivia Wentz and Zach Zarosa. During Model UN sessions, students represent a designated Michael Fennewald country and write resolutions that support that country’s citizens and the good of the world.

The students were taught by Dodie Logue.

Honorees from Rose Acres Elementary School include, from left, front row, Brett Quigg, Leah Gantz and Cameron White; and back row, Noah Suvansri and Marlon Patino.

ROSE ACRES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Greater St. Louis Science Fair

Earning blue ribbons at the regional science fair were Leah Gantz, who also earned a special award from the Air and Waste Management Association, Olivia Gietl, Maya Heimsoth, Peyton McElroy, who also earned a special award from Bayer, Brett Quigg, Charly Scherer and Noah Suvansri. Earning a red ribbon were Marlon Patino and Cameron White.

WILLOW BROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Greater St. Louis Science Fair

At the regional science fair, Audrey Farrel earned a blue ribbon and a special award from MOST 529. Earning green ribbons were Bricyn Love, who Honorees from Willow Brook Elementary also received a School include, from left, Bricyn Love, Audrey Farrell and Caroline Rowe. special award from the St. Louis Mineral and Gem Society, Caroline Rowe and Sophia Wynne.

REMINGTON TRADITIONAL SCHOOL

Greater St. Louis Science Fair

Earning blue ribbons at the regional science fair were Aliyah Brown, Alexis Burroughs, Devin Garner, who also earned a special award from MOST 529, Yosef Granillo, who also earned special awards from the Air and Waste Management Association and the Kalinowski Family, Donald Will Purnell McCullough, Jackson McCullough, Will Purnell, Nicholas Shao, Hadley Skouby, Melissa Small, who also earned a special award from the American Industrial Hygiene Association – St. Louis, and Alexander Willingham. Caleb Bonner earned a red ribbon, and Daniel Clifford and Harry Vandernoot earned green ribbons.

Write Stuff competition

Yosef Granillo placed first in the third through fifth grade category of the St. Louis County Library’s Write Stuff competition.

District band honors

Earning 1 Superior ratings for band at the district Solo and Ensemble Festival were Macy Avery for French horn solo, Connor Chapman for clarinet trio, Floyd Davis for saxophone duet, Jayden Essex for tuba solo, Mateo Perales for trumpet duet, Augie Linenbroker for baritone solo, Staci Sutton Kyle Manker for saxophone duet and alto saxophone solo, Kaitlin Price for clarinet trio, Evan Schnatmeier for trumpet duet and Romy Wamhoff for clarinet trio. Earning 2 Excellent ratings were Avery and Linenbroker for brass trio, Alex Pace and Brennan Shipman for percussion ensemble and Carlos Llamas, Luke Stevenson and Staci Sutton for low bass trio. Sutton also earned a 2 for bass trio. The students were directed by Andrew Smith.

Earning honors for robotics from Holman Middle School are, from left, front row, Ethan Arana, Logan Monroe and Connor Morris; and back row, Parker Hasenkamp, Mia Baczynski and Maxwell Fetter.

state were Neal Davey, Keegan Garland and Samantha Mokwa. Also qualifying for state were Connor Morris and Jackson Powell. At the Kirkwood competition, Brian Rivera-Velasquez was part of the Project R team that earned the Create and Teamwork awards and Samuel Mokwa and Logan Monroe earned the Judges Award. The teams were coached by teacher Cheryl Gragert.

District orchestra honors

Earning a 1 Superior ratings for orchestra at the district Solo and Ensemble Festival were Audrey Dallape for string trio, Audrey Dallape, left, and Jasmine Gordon from Jasmine Remington Traditional School earned Superior Gordon for ratings for their orchestra performances. cello solo, Diego Halbeck for string duet, Norina Shao for violin solo, Edward Ter-Hovhannisyan and Eliot Wheeler for string trio and Jacob Zarosa for string duet. They were directed by Carlye Feeney and Kimberly Gindler.

Holman Middle School students earning honors for band performances include, from left, Loralai Ruzzo, Alivia Kirk, Semaj West and Kayla Berndt.

District band honors

Anna Burke, Grace Burke, Charlie Burns, Max McFarland and Sydney Suvansri earned two 1 Superior ratings at the district Solo and Ensemble Festival. Also earning 1 ratings were Kayla Berndt, Jack Caesar, Lillian Cave, Armani Cochren, Gisel Estrada Lopez, Sami Green, Auggie Heiligenstein, Jordan Jackson, Jordan Kedl-Thomas, Alivia Kirk, Cordy Matulewic, Gabby McCain, Peter McCullough, Tepriya McMullen, Jett Mercer, Davionna Mosley, Markelle Robinson, Loralai Ruzzo, Jalen Smith, Allison Talir, Austin Traxel, Isabelle Usry and Semaj West. Their teachers were Adam Hall and Steve White.

HOLMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL Honors Model UN

The following students were selected to participate in the Honors Model UN (United Nations) session: Seydou Ba, Auggie Heiligenstein, Talisa Prabhu and Sydney Suvansri. They were taught by Christina Elkins.

Robotics state championship

Two Holman robotics teams placed at the Create Foundation U.S. Open Robotics State Championship. They advanced to state after earning the Create and Teamwork awards at the Kirkwood Vex IQ Competition. Students on the team that placed 17th at state were: Ethan Arana, Mia Baczynski, Maxwell Fetter, Parker Hasenkamp and Matthew Wulf. Members of the team that placed 19th at

•9•

Holman Middle School students earning honors for their orchestra performances include, from left, front row, Dakota Woracheck, Caleb Fetter, Matthew Cutrell, Carter Gray, Logan Monroe and Aubrie Pena; and back row, Addison Gutschenritter, Kenedi Jenkins, Sydney Hoynacki and Ayiana Baynes.

Bragging Writes

Honors, Awards and Achievements by Pattonville Students and Staff District orchestra honors

At the district Solo and Ensemble Festival for orchestra, Aaron Wolz earned a 1 Superior rating for a solo, duet and two quartets; Kenedi Jenkins earned a 1 for a solo, duet and quartet; and Sydney Hoynacki, Matthew Jacobi and Talisa Prabhu earned a 1 for a solo and a 2+ for a duet. Casandra Medley O’Brien earned a 1 for a duet and a 2 for a solo. Also earning 1 ratings for solos were: Ayiana Baynes, Samantha Beasley, Caleb Fetter, Emma Schonhoff and Dakota Woracheck. Earning a 1 rating for quartet were Matthew Cutrell, Carter Gray, Addison Gutschenritter, Logan Monroe and Aubrie Pena. Earning a 1 for duet was Jahlil Johnson. Isaac Blassingame earned a 2 for a solo and a duet. Earning a 2 for solos were: Abigail Beasley, Alex Sanchez and Donmonique Simpkins. Their teacher was Irena Goren-Scheer.

Greater St. Louis Science Fair

Tehya Cox Potter earned a blue ribbon at the St. Louis Science Fair.

PATTONVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

Missouri Scholars Academy

Jordyn Lodes and Tyler Wright were Tehya Cox Potter selected to attend the Missouri Scholars Academy. Only 330 students statewide were chosen to participate in the three-week academic program for Missouri’s gifted students who are ready to begin their junior year in high school. This residential program is held on the campus of the University of Missouri-Columbia and features a specially designed curriculum focused on the liberal arts and a variety of stimulating extracurricular activities.

Missouri Fine Arts Academy

Rachel McCormick was accepted into the Missouri Fine Arts Academy (MFAA) for theater. The MFAA is a two-week summer residential program at Missouri State University for highly motivated student artists in visual arts, theater, dance, creative writing and music.

The academy offers an intensive schedule of classes in interdisciplinary and discipline-specific arts as well as a wide range of co-curricular activities.

Holman Middle School students earning honors for their choir performances include, from left, front row, Arianna Atkins, Abriana Atkins and Essence Hughes; and back row, Issabelle Winkler, Jordan Jackson and Ceniya Smith.

District choir honors

The following group of students earned a 1 Superior rating for choir at the district Large Group Festival: Arianna Atkins, Bineta Ba, Elise Banks, Abriana Blue, Alana Byers, Penny Lane Carlton, Kody Hentschel, Essence Hughes, Jordan Jackson, Jahlil Johnson, Jennifer Lira Chombo, Wyatt Mackenberg, Kailey Mason, Casandra Medley O’Brien, Gregory Mosley, Morgan Mt. Pleasant, Jayden Mwangi, Taylor Mwangi, Nicole Noble, Kaylie Pace, Talisa Prabhu, Marilyn Prado, Ceniya Smith, Raelynn Stewart, Chelsea Tate, Jazline White, Alexandria Wilson, Issabelle Winkler and Keilyn Zambrano. Earning 1 Superior ratings for choir at the district Solo and Ensemble Festival were Jackson for duet, Mackenberg for solo and Mosley for solo and duet. The choir director was Larry Knobel.

PATTONVILLE HEIGHTS MIDDLE SCHOOL District orchestra honors

Earning a 1 Superior rating for orchestra at the district Solo and Ensemble Festival were Shannon Boyles, Rylee Cochran, Nya Coleman, Lilyan Locke and Riley Steinbecker. Carlye Feeney and Kimberly Gindler were their teachers.

District vocal music honors

All-State Journalism Team

Mikayla Bridges was named to the 2019 All-State Journalism Team, sponsored by the Missouri Journalism Education Association (MJEA). Only 10 students in the state were selected for this honor, which recognizes students who proved to be indispensable to their respective school media, whose leadership, energy, dedication and expertise make their publications possible but whose main contributions often occur behind the scenes. Honorees are nominated by their advisers, who must be a member of the MJEA. She was nominated by teacher Brian Heyman.

Missouri video competition

Marius Ignat earned Best in State for Missouri in the World of 7 Billion video contest. His video, “Fusion Reactors – The Energy of the Future,” was a short video on human population growth and highlights a global challenge that needs to be faced. He was part of Amy Schwendemann’s Applied Science and Technology class.

Youth of the Year Award

Jarred McCormick was selected to receive the Gateway Region YMCA Ray Sonnenberg Sr. Youth of the Year Award. The annual award recognizes young YMCA volunteers who best exemplify the YMCA’s core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

National Spanish Exam Lilyan Locke

Vocal music students who earned a 1 Superior rating at the district Solo and Ensemble Festival were Patrick Ferguson, Elijah Jones, Caleb Long, Ethan Massey and Webb Shannon. Their choir teacher was Tracy Baker.

Rachel Huddleston, Gage Menk and James Pieper received a silver medal and national recognition in the 2019 Spanish Exam. They were taught by Silvia Hilker.

Celebration of Poets anthology

Jennifer Acosta Cervantes, Sama Awad, Valeria Escaray, Emmanuel Ikya, Fanen Ikya and Musawer Sajid were selected to have a poem published in Creative Communication’s publication “A Celebration of Poets” anthology.

Kathleen O’Keefe was their teacher.

• 10 •

From left, Alex Djetto, Adam Kendrick, Grant Wedig and Aubrey Tendiel were selected to attend Boys State.

Boys/Girls State

Alex Djetto, Adam Kendrick, Aubrey Tendiel and Grant Wedig were selected to attend the 2019 American Legion Boys State of Missouri Program. Boys State is an eight-day, hands-on experience in the operation and fundamentals of government and serves as a leadership and citizenship training program. Students are nominated by their schools to attend, but are chosen by Boys State based on criteria related to leadership, character, scholarship and citizenship.

Selected to attend the Missouri Girls State were Michala Criddle, Jenna Hageman, Momo Kikuchi and Camilla Wilkerson. Sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary, Girls State is a weeklong program designed to promote pride in America and create a mythical state that participating citizens will govern at the city, county and state level. Delegates to Girls State are chosen by an interview and application procedure with their local auxiliary unit. Candidates are evaluated on their leadership abilities, interest in government, service to others and academics. Both programs are held on the campus of the University of Central Missouri.

DECA state/district honors

Kendall Battle and Jada Moore placed second in sports and entertainment marketing at the state DECA competition. Other students competed at state after taking honors at the district level. Those students and their honors at districts were Kathryn Wentz, first in business finance; Rida Niazi, first in entrepreneurship series; Damon Maciocia and Mason Murphy, first in financial services; Gabrielle Shipman, first in leadership delegate and third in food marketing; Hannah Rodgers, second in business finance; Rachel Etwaroo, second in business law and ethics; Serena Taylor, second in business law and ethics; Michael Pirrie and Rodney Wallace, second in marketing communications; Madison Ambrosecchia, third in business finance; Sam Mathis, third in automotive services; and Amna Saeed, third in human resource management.

Teacher Doug McGhee was their coach. DECA is an organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.

Speech and debate honors

Four students qualified to compete at nationals in speech and debate. Mya Harris qualified in informative speaking after placing fourth at the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) district competition and sixth at the Greater St. Louis Conference Finals. Will Polster qualified for nationals in public forum debate. He was

Bragging Writes

Honors, Awards and Achievements by Pattonville Students and Staff a NSDA district champion in informative speaking. He was a state qualifier after being the MSHSAA district champion in public forum debate and placed second in extemporaneous speaking. He placed first in champ public forum debate and third in informative speaking at the Jefferson City Capitol Classic. He also placed second in informative speaking and U.S. extemporaneous speaking at the Greater St. Louis Conference and first in both at the Greater St. Louis Conference Finals.

He was also named the Eastern Missouri Student of the Year. Nolan Prebianca was a national qualifier in public forum debate after being district champion. He also placed sixth in radio speaking at the MSHSAA districts.

He was also a state qualifier in public forum debate and placed first in champ public forum debate and sixth in U.S. extemporaneous speaking at the Jefferson City Capitol Classic. Devin Zahner was a national qualifier in world schools debate and placed third in public forum debate in the Greater St. Louis Conference Finals. Bryant Ewing and Eden Magana Lopez were also state qualifiers in prose interpretation and poetry interpretation, respectively. Both were MSHSAA district champions in those categories. Other students earning honors were Kristinne Pacheco, semifinalist in humorous interpretation at the NSDA Districts; Isabella Tucci, semifinalist in informative speaking at the NSDA Districts and sixth at the Jefferson City Capitol Classic; Jailah Broadway, quarterfinalist in Lincoln Douglas Debate at the Jefferson City Capitol Classic; and Meredith Stroud, second in radio speaking at the Oakville Novice Invitational. Teacher Jennifer Raymond coached the team.

Mock trial honors

Pattonville’s mock trial team qualified for regionals after taking third at the preliminary competition.

Members of the team were Mikayla Bridges, Alex Djetto, Nicholas Ertle, Mock Trial honorees include Juveria Fatima, Juveria Fatima, left, and Alex Djetto.

Jenna Hageman, Momo Kikuchi, Brianna Smith and Isabella Tucci. They were coached by Jennifer Raymond.

Robotics honors

Three robotics teams earned awards this season. Team 7856 placed seventh at the First Tech Challenge State Championship after earning the first place Innovate, second place Design and third place Inspire awards at the FIRST FTC Qualifier. Members of the team were Slena Caldwell, Taj Deen, Sam Kadima, Tajh Martin, Summer Miller, Colleen Tyarks, Ben Wingerter, Jenny Wingerter and Kyle Wright. Team 2866 placed 16th and earned the Control Award at the state championship after earning the first place Inspire, second place Think and Motivate and third place Control, Innovate and Design awards at the FIRST FTC Qualifier. Team members were Erica Goryl, Erin McMahon, Jamajesti Times, Dan Trieu, Meekie Trieu, Stephaun Turner, Sam Vaclavik and Cory Williams. Team 2867 earned the first place Design, second

place Control and third place Think awards at the FIRST FTC Qualifier. Members of the team were Deji Coker, Cole Dunsford, Audrey Freeman, Alex Morschl, Yasaman Mostafavi, Steven Seibert, William Skaggs, Eric Stricklin, Omair Syed and Alex Zamacona. Teacher Sue Mathis coached the team, along with volunteer mentors Brian Bateman, Charlie Hall, Gary Mathis, Carl Miller, Doan Trieu, Khoa Trieu and Rick Wingerter.

Orchestra honorees include, from left, front row, Chandler Fajardo and Kaitlyn Musselwhite; and back row, Jacob Wilfong, Deandre Westbrook and Orney Walker.

Robotics honorees include, from left, front row, students Sam Vaclavik, Jamajesti Times and Stephaun Turner; and back row, mentors Brian Bateman, Charlie Hall and Carl Miller.

State/district band honors

Earning gold medals at the state Solo and Ensemble Festival for band were Leslie Azwell, Kyra Correa, Joe Davis and Kyle Halveland for saxophone quintet; Laura Harder for keyboard mallet solo; Chad Jones for tuba solo; Holly Jones for flute solo; and Wade Zagoren for saxophone quintet. Earning silver medals at state were Natalie Baugher for tuba solo; Andrew Brown and Lay Dukes for trumpet trio; Daniel Enberg for trombone quartet; Ryan Geiger for trumpet trio; Van Grabner and Logan Harder for trombone quartet; Rozella House, Tiaira James, Holly Jones and James Lyerla for flute trio; Thomas McFarland for snare drum solo; Alex Newett and Matthew Samuel for trumpet trio; Nora Scharer for flute trio; Trevor Vigus for trumpet trio; Savanna Wooten for trombone solo and trombone quartet; and Alexis Wysocki for flute trio. Earning bronze medals at state were Kyle Beaver, Ashley Bly and Nichole DeKoster for French horn trio; and Abigail Twyman for clarinet solo. All of these students advanced to state after earning one or more 1 Superior ratings at the district Solo and Ensemble Festival. Their band directors were Denny McFarland, Sara Deutschmann and Anna White.

orchestra students advanced to state after earning one or more 1 Superior ratings at the district Solo and Ensemble.

At the Williamsburg Festival, Pattonville’s chamber orchestra earned gold recognition. Members of this group were Aliza Ahmed, Blumenthal, Boyd, David Chien, Fajardo, Gamino Pinon, Harder, Hannah Jones, Khan, Jarred McCormick, Rachel McCormick, Menk, Moser, Millen Patel, Skaggs, Smith, Spalding, Surlet, Isabella Tucci, Wacker, Trinity Wessler, Jacob Wilfong, Tyler Wright and Young, who was also selected to receive the Maestro’s Award at the festival. The combined concert orchestra earned silver at Williamsburg. Members of this group were Seth Armbruster, Helen Bae, Charley Bennight, Khristopher Bolton, Justin Bowers, Camille Brown, Tara Chandler, Aiden Farkas, Kaitlyn Flippin, Harry Heitmeier, Olivia Hernandez, Meagan Holder, Tate Holt, Tyler Hunt, Emma Kasicki, Anna Kasprzyk, Kacey Kluba, Lu, Lauren Moton, Kaitlyn Musselwhite, Halee Oliver, Brayden Procter, Ty Procter, Lena Ridley, Kalista Roades, Juan Romero, Rapheal Seymour, Daniel Smith, Jessie Stark, Stroud, Haley Swift, Marcus Swingler, Aeeda Talukder, Taylor, Orney Walker, Audrey Watson, Deandre Westbrook and Brooke York. Michael Dunsmoor was their orchestra director.

State/district orchestra honors

Earning gold recognition at the state Solo and Ensemble Festival for orchestra were Jade Boyd for violin solo and string quartet, Lacey Harder for bass duet, Hannah Jones for string quartet, Elly Lu for violin solo and string quartet, Abigail Surlet for bass duet and Natalie Young for string quartet. Earning silver at state were Amnarely Gamino Pinon for violin quartet, Lacey Harder for bass quartet, Amelia Khan for violin quartet, Jarred McCormick for violin solo, Lily Smith for violin quartet, Alicia Spalding for viola solo, Surlet for bass solo and Young for violin quartet. Earning bronze awards at state were Maya Blumenthal for string duet, Chandler Fajardo for viola solo, Khan for string duet, Gage Menk for cello solo and string duet, Nathan Moser for string duet, William Skaggs for bass quartet, Smith for violin solo, Surlet for bass quartet and Simon Wacker for string duet. The

• 11 •

Choir honorees include, from left, Tony Washington, Ja’nya Cruise and Kasey Yancey.

State choir honors

Choir students who earned 1 Exemplary ratings at the state Solo and Ensemble Festival were Sarah Burke, Ja’nya Cruise, Julia Drake, Alayna Hopgood, Kristen Jones, Taylor Knight, Micah Lee, Hannah Radican, Lily Reynolds, Christopher Tobar, Autumn Varner, Tony Washington and Kasey Yancey. Drake, Hopgood, Tobar and Washington also earned a 1 rating as part of the JCAT Quartet. Melynda Lamb was their choir director.

PATTONVILLE CLASS OF 2019

IN THEIR WORDS...

Excerpts from students’ graduation remarks

“G

raduates, as you go on to become lawyers, engineers, paramedics, teachers and even maybe a Chik-Fil-A greeter, do everything with a public purpose in mind.

Remember that you are somebody’s role model and source of inspiration. You never know who is observing and the positive impact your actions may have on someone’s life. Be the person that tells someone they can when they believe they can’t. Be that person that lifts someone up, even when you yourself are down. Be the person that convinces others that they can fly. Be Mr. Brueggen (Henderson’s former physical education teacher).”

-From a speech by Terrell Henderson

“T Above, members of the Class of 2019 toss their caps in the air in celebration at the end of the commencement ceremony. Below left, from left, Nichole DeKoster, Summer Davis and Shania Dayrit smile after getting their diplomas. Below center, Taylor Wooten shakes hands with Dr. Tim Pecoraro, Pattonville superintendent, after receiving her diploma. Below right, from left, Savanna Wooten, Ben Wingerter and Courtney Woods exit the arena with diplomas in hand.

his year’s seniors have accumulated numerous awards and received frequent recognition.

We’ve demonstrated our excellence in our academics, athletics, extracurriculars and community service.

However, it seems that no matter the level of accomplishments, the Class of 2019 always sets its sights on the next goal. As we move forward after graduation, we will continue to employ this mindset, challenging ourselves and one another to be the best we can be in school, at work or with family.”

-From a speech by Will Polster

About Our Graduates

Above, Julius Erby, left, and Alonna Gibson join their classmates in showing thanks to their families for supporting them through high school. Above right, from left, seniors Kayla Lawrence, Tyler Lampe and Lexi Lambros are shown after receiving their diplomas. Right, seniors show off their newly acquired diplomas as they recess from the ceremony. Shown are, from left, Mae Lin White, Seth White, Jacob Whittinghill and Kelly Widiger.

Approximately 91% of the Pattonville Class of 2019 plan on continuing their education at fouryear universities, two-year colleges or career/ technical schools, and five plan to enter the military. Here are some other statistics on this year’s graduates: • 375 students graduated in the Class of 2019 • 114 earned the honors of summa, magna or cum laude (3.5 weighted GPA or greater) • 91 earned A+ status, which makes them eligible for paid tuition to any Missouri community college or career education school • 29 Bright Flight Scholarship winners for topranked high school students attending Missouri post-secondary schools • Seniors earned $14.7 million in scholarships • Seniors completed more than 47,000 hours of community service during their four years of high school • 42 earned community service honor cords for volunteering 150 hours or more (with two-thirds of service completed off campus during nonschool hours) • Top three seniors for hours of community service: Sydney Beins (855), Sarah Johnson (602) and Kasey Yancey (517))

View more photos

To see photos from Senior Awards Night and graduation, visit events.psdr3.org.

“Pattonville Highlights” is published six times annually for residents of the Pattonville School District by the Pattonville Office of School-Community Relations, 11097 St. Charles Rock Road, St. Ann, MO 63074, (314) 213-8025. Website: www.psdr3.org. Email: mschoonover@psdr3.org. Sign up to receive a Pattonville newsletter by email at www.psdr3.org/subscribe.