Weddings

Congratulations to Alison Brunk, a kindergarten teacher at Buder, who got engaged on Christmas Eve 2022. She and Anthony will be married July 15.

Congratulations to Aly (Schroeder) Flynn, a Spanish teacher at Ritenour High School, who married Tom Flynn on St. Patrick’s Day.

Babies

Maggie Greenlaw, a fourth grade teacher at Marvin, welcomed Scottie Robert into their family on April 2. Scottie made his debut at 6 lbs. 12 oz. and 20 inches long and already adores his big brother, Brooks, age 3.  

Kudos

Retiring RHS Band Director Hadley Haux was honored with the Merit Award from the St. Louis Suburban Music Educators' Association in recognition of his 30-year career and service to music education, and his positive impact on students, peers, and community.


Evelyn Gilliam, director of professional development, is excited to share that her son Langston, a fourth-grader at Jackson Park Elementary, received a blue ribbon at the St. Louis Science Fair for his project, "Bombs Away! From Bounce to Burst." The science project involved determining the maximum amount of air that can be put into a small ball before it explodes, then testing balls by placing the recommended amount of air in the ball, increasing the amount of air in the ball by 25%, then increasing the amount by 50% and dropping the ball from 6'2" onto a force sensor to measure the amount of force produced when dropped from that height.  Langston was inspired to do this project because he was in PE class when a similar type of ball thrown from a similar height exploded upon impact. A special thanks goes to Rob Weissler, a science teacher at RHS, who allowed Lank to borrow a force meter and answered Lank's questions about force and gravity. 


Blake Hernton, RHS orchestra teacher, invites all Ritenour colleagues to his performance with the Ophelia String Quartet Spring Concert performance on Saturday, May, 20 at First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood, 100 E. Adams Ave. #4019 in Kirkwood.  Doors open at 4 p.m. and music starts at 4:30. The concert is free.

Stefan Rechtlich, seventh grade science/social studies teacher at Ritenour Middle, earned his master’s in school administration from Lindenwood University earlier this month.


Jesseca Hankins, an office professional at Marion, is excited to share her RHS senior is graduating on June 3 with honors. Lyriel "Lou" Hankins has been a member of the culinary, music and art community at the high school throughout her entire career. She will be attending Lindenwood in the fall to study art education and theater. She will be a second-generation Lindenwood student following her father, Phillip Hankins. Lou also will also be following in the footsteps of her grandfather, Marshall Hankins, who taught art in public schools for nearly 30 years. Her plans are to teach art and/or theater and possibly start a restaurant in the next 20 years.  Photo by Amanda Powers of AP Photography, posted with permission.


Madison Kukic, a fifth grade teacher at Wyland, earned a master’s in education from Washington University earlier this month. 


Fareda Lytle, an English learner teacher at Ritenour Middle, is proud share great news about her children. Her son, Eric Lytle II, a soaring sophomore at the illustrious Alabama Agriculture & Mechanical University received the Freshman President's Award. This honor is given to first-time freshmen with a 4.0 grade point average in their first semester of enrollment at the university. Eric is excited about returning in the fall semester to continue a construction management degree. 


Fareda adds, “We couldn't be more excited about his accomplishments.” 

Fareda’s daughter, Brooke Lytle, a sophomore at Clayton High School, was recognized for being the Sophomore of the Year. This award is given to the sophomore who shines academically and beyond the school day, in clubs, sports, or service. 


“This student has avoided the sophomore slump and instead has spread her wings to greater heights,” says Fareda. “We are so proud of Brooke for her accomplishments.” 

Brittany Moseby, a first grade teacher at Buder, graduated this month with a master’s in special education (cross-categorical disabilities) from University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Yolanda Smart, an office professional at Iveland, is proud to share great news about her son, Arlen Smart, a 2022 RHS graduate who just finished his freshman year at University of Missouri-St. Louis. Arlen made the Dean’s List both semesters and accepted an internship with SKF Inc. in Berkley, Mo., a Sweden-based company engaged in the supply of products and services within rolling bearings, seals, mechatronics, services and lubrication.


Thomas Starr, a child nutrition worker at RHS, is proud to share that his son, Austin Jenkins, a 2018 RHS alum, graduated from University of Missouri-Columbia on May 13 with a bachelor's in animal sciences.


Kieza Taylor, a third grade teacher at Kratz, is proud to announce that her son, Aurelius Taylor, a junior at RHS, got three 7s (the highest possible) on his ACT WorkKeys test at North Tech in April. He was the first in North Tech’s history to earn that score. Check out more about this rigorous test here…  He received a special award signed by all the North Tech teachers.


Rebecca Williams, a reading teacher at  Kratz, earned her Ed.S. and passed her building-level administrator exam this month from University of Missouri-St. Louis.