NFL Pro Hall of Fame inductee Dan Dierdorf made a special visit to Nipher Middle School as part of a nationwide video conference. Students met with the football star in the library, and his presentation was shared with students from other states. As part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame youth/education program, Dierdorf spoke on character, courage, respect and excellence, sharing his stories of adversity and overcoming obstacles.
As part of an after-school extracurricular activity, students at Villa di Maria Montessori Schoolput their cooking skills to the test with chef Laura Cottler of The Ritz-Carlton. Cottler, who specializes in desserts and wedding cakes, spends her afternoons off at the Montessori school helping kids master the art of baking through fun projects like preparing s’more toast and decorating sugar cookies.
At a recent Rohan Woods all-school assembly, students honored 10 veterans from the school community. Afterward, each veteran visited a classroom to participate in a fun activity and answer questions about their service. Some students got to try on Army and Coast Guard uniforms and taste MREs (meals ready-to-eat).
Joining the likes of Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash as performers at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Kirkwood High juniors Jacob Melsha and Eli Mennerick recently took the stage at the home of country music with other student musicians. Melsha played lead trombone as a member of the All-National Honor Jazz Band, and Mennerick played trombone as a member of the All-National Band. For selection, each student had to be a member of the Missouri All-State Band and submit a video recording of a musical performance.
Students and staff at Parkway Southwest Middle Schoolcollected nearly 3,740 pounds of food for Circle of Concern, a nonprofit that feeds the hungry and provides assistance to low-income families in west St. Louis County. After hearing about the need for fresh fruit and vegetables, students organized a fresh food drive, the first of its kind for Circle of Concern. The middle school also provides produce from its community garden to the food pantry during growing season, and students at Parkway West High School hold an annual canned food drive, which they recently completed.
