The Insider: 5.18.16

Girl Scouts get it done! A small group of the robotics-oriented Girl Scout Troop 1484 from Sperreng Middle School (pictured above) went to the White House and shared their project with POTUS himself! Concerned about the environmental impact of Styrofoam, the girls decided to find a more eco-friendly way to dispose of the 20,000 cups used every month at Friendship Village. They developed Eco Bin (a patent is pending!), which contains a non-toxic substance that dissolves Styrofoam. The girls were among only 40 to exhibit at the White House Science Fair, which is how they met President Obama.

Look who’s coming to the Lou! Singer, dancer, actress and comedienne Bernadette Peters will appear at The Rep’s 50th anniversary gala, Sept. 24 at the Chase. Congrats to The Rep on its big 5-0, and for bringing such a bright star to town for the celebration. Photo: Andrew Eccles

Speaking of honors … Five luminaries will receive honorary degrees from W.U. at its 155th commencement May 20: U.S. Congressman John Lewis, a leader of the Civil Rights movement (who will deliver the commencement address, Stephen Brauer, former U.S. ambassador to Belgium; Paula Kerger, president and CEO of PBS; Dr. Staffan Normark, Swedish microbiologist and Euclid Williamson, founder of Target HOPE, a high school retention model for Chicago schools.

Overcoming segregation in the mid-20th century to sing at the Met, La Scala and others, Grace Bumbry was born and raised in St. Louis. A graduate of Sumner High School, she sang with the Union Memorial Methodist Church choir before earning a Grammy and Kennedy Center Honors and becoming the first African-American opera singer to perform at the White House! Bumbry was honored earlier this month at Opera Theatre’s spring gala, and Mayor Slay declared May 6 ‘Grace Bumbry Day.’ Brava! Photo: Stella Boda

Pictured: Reagan Mattison, Christina Yepez, Sindhu Bala, Juliana Jones, Sydney Gralike | Photo courtesy of the White House