001Good evening. I'd like to call this meeting to order. I'd like to call Carter Russell from Marquette High School to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge of Allegiance. I I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Carter. The first item of business is I'd like to read a welcome. Welcome to the Rockwood Board of Education. We'd like to thank you, the thank the administrative team and all the staff and students at Marquette High School for being gracious hosts for our meeting this evening. The purpose of this meeting is to conduct some necessary business of the district and then move on to the main focus for the night, our
002awards ceremony, where we will honor our outstanding students and celebrate their accomplishments. Thank you all for being here as our guests this evening. For your first order of business is to approve the agenda. The motion is to approve the agenda. So moved. Second. All those in say I. I. I. Those opposed. And we missed the discussion. Any discussion? Okay. All those in favor? I. I. All those opposed. Okay, the motion carries. The next is the approval of the Board of Education meeting minutes for May 7th, 2026. Motion to approve the Board of Education meeting minutes for May 7th, 2026. So moved. Second. Any discussion? All those in favor? I. All those opposed. The motion carries. The next motion is to approve the approval of the consent agenda items 602 through 636. So moved. Second. Any
003discussion? All those in favor say I. I. I. All those opposed. The next order of business is the recognition awards program. We don't have a motion, so we'll just move to that part. Thank you. I'm going to wait right here. >> Good evening and welcome to our Rockwood Board of Education Awards Ceremony. Tonight we gather to recognize some of the truly outstanding achievements of our students, our staff, and our community who helped to contribute to this fantastic excellence that we have as a school district. So we are honored to share this evening with you. I would like to take a little bit of time to introduce a dedicated group of individuals who serve both our district and our community. It is our Board of Education. Board members, please stand as I call your name. Sarah
004Boyer, Director. >> [applause] >> Bob Cadigan, Director. Phil Milligan, director. Dr. Mara Vorachek Warren, director. Dr. Amy Wasserman, director. Carrie Backert, vice president. And Tammy Romberg, president. Our communications team will be taking photos of our award recipients this evening. So, photos will be available for download tomorrow on our Rockwood website by using the QR code that you'll find on your program or by visiting rsdmo.org. After tonight's reception, please join the Board of Education and our honored recipients for a reception outside of the theater. Before I step aside, just want to remind everyone that we have 2.5 days of school left uh this year. >> [applause] >> But who's counting? Or everyone's actually counting, but at this point in time, I would like to ask that our president, Tammy Romberg, please begin our awards ceremony this
005evening. It's kind of shadowy but okay. Got it. Thank you, Dr. Cain. Good evening. We're pleased to have you join us tonight for the Board of Education Awards Ceremony as we honor our students and staff members' outstanding contributions and accomplishments. We gather in celebration as the Rockwood Board of Education recognizes individuals with four different awards. Two are presented at their individual to recipients at their individual schools. The Superintendent's Certificate recognizes those who who contributed to the success of the Rockwood School District in education. The Community Service Certificate goes to those who support the district and its communities through service projects intended to benefit a worthy cause. The other two awards are presented here at the Board of Education Awards Ceremony. The Above and Beyond Award recognizes individuals or organizations who have shown outstanding contributions through
006service or volunteerism by supporting projects or programs that impact Rockwood or its surrounding communities. The Board of Education Award recognizes people or organizations that have achieved the highest standards of excellence that embody the Rockwood spirit. On behalf of the school board, I want to thank Marquette High School for hosting this evening. At this time, I would like to ask uh Bob Cadigan and Dr. Amy Wassman to the stage to assist with our presentations. Thank you. I would also like to invite Crestview Middle Principal Dr. Chris Brandiff to the stage to present our first awards. It's all yours. Thank you, President Romberg. I would like to begin the program this evening by recognizing two Crestview staff members for the Above and Beyond Award for life-saving actions. We had a library staff member experience a sudden and
007severe allergic reaction to latex despite no prior history. As symptoms rapidly rapidly worsened, she made her way to the library where a colleague, Ms. McColgan, immediately recognized something was wrong and called for help. Nurse Groff, our school nurse, responded immediately and acted quickly, administering an EpiPen. Their prompt actions stabilized the individual's condition until paramedics arrived and transported her to the hospital. We are incredibly grateful for the care and support of our staff and the decisive, life-saving actions taken that day by our nurse. It is my honor to present this award to Nurse Melissa Groff, who could not be in attendance tonight, and Briana McColgan. >> [applause] >> We will now begin the middle school board awards. We are proud to recognize a student who was one of 500 across the nation that achieved the National
008Junior Honor Society Outstanding Achievement Award. Congratulations, Shreya Karri. >> [applause] >> We are now proud to recognize a student who earned third place in the Mathcounts State competition, a prestigious mathematical competition that showcases exceptional problem-solving and analytical skills. Congratulations to Akshu Kosaraju. >> [applause] >> We have a group of students um we are recognizing who earned a superior rating, the highest distinction at the Missouri Music Educators Association Middle School Large Group Festival. An event that highlights excellence in ensemble performance. Starting with band, congratulations to 7th and 8th grade band. >> [applause] [clears throat] >> We would now like to congratulate the orchestra students, 7th grade cadet orchestra and 8th grade concert orchestra. >> [applause] >> And last but not least, our choir students, 6th grade choir, 7th and 8th grade treble choir and 7th and
0098th grade mixed choir. >> [applause] [laughter] >> I now invite Dr. Chris Colgren, principal of LaSalle Springs Middle School to the podium. Thank you, Dr. Brandriff. It is my pleasure to honor the musicians from LaSalle Springs Middle School who achieved a superior rating at this year's MMEA Festival. Congratulations to our first group, eighth grade band. >> [applause] >> And to our next group, seventh grade cadet orchestra and eighth grade concert orchestra. >> [applause] >> And finally, our sixth our eighth grade mixed choir. >> [applause] >> Congratulations to our musicians. I would now like to ask Dr. Lori Berkemeyer, principal of Rockwood South, to the podium. Thank you, Dr. Colgren. We are proud to celebrate two of the four Rockwood students out of only eight from the state of Missouri who achieved the 2026 National Junior
010Honor Society Outstanding Achievement Award that recognizes middle school students for their commitment to the five pillars of NJHS. Scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. Congratulations to Carter Murray and Haley Van Dyke. >> [applause] >> Rockwood South also had several outstanding ensembles whose performances earned top marks at the MMEA Large Group Festival. We'd like to congratulate our group who's here with us this evening and that will actually be Carter Murray again, who will be accepting on behalf of the 7th grade Cadet orchestra and the eighth grade concert orchestra. >> [applause] >> I would like to welcome Dr. Eric Higgins, principal of Rockwood Valley, to the podium. Thank you, Dr. Burkenmeyer. At Rockwood Valley, we're excited to celebrate our students this evening. We begin by recognizing a student who earned second place in the Mathcounts state competition.
011An impressive achievement in a premier middle school math competition. Congratulations to Eric Dong. >> [applause] [applause] >> Please join me in welcoming Dr. Brent Pearson, assistant principal of Selvidge Middle School, to the podium. >> [applause] >> Thank you, Dr. Higgins. Good evening, everyone. Savage Middle School is proud to honor two of our orchestra groups and their advisor, Mrs. Adrienne Mittler, for their superior ratings at large group festival. First, we want to welcome to the stage our seventh grade cadet orchestra. >> [applause] [applause] >> Next, Savage Middle School would like to celebrate and recognize our eighth grade concert orchestra for superior ratings. >> [applause] [applause] >> This now concludes the middle school recognition portion. At this time I'd like to invite Dr. Dr. Emily McCowan, principal of Rockwood Summit, to the podium. >> [applause] >> That's
012a hard announcing voice to follow there, Dr. Pearson. Nice job. All right, we will now move into the Board of Education awards at the high school level. I'm proud to present the awards for Rockwood Summit High and recognize our students' accomplishments. We begin celebrating those with achievements in academics. The National Merit Scholarship program is one of the most prestigious academic recognition programs. It identifies and honors high-achieving students based on their academic performance and leadership. Congratulations to Michael Charleston. A total of seven Rockwood High School students were selected for the Missouri Scholar 100, a statewide program that honors 100 of Missouri's top academic students in the graduating class of 2026. Rockwood Summit has two of the representatives in this year's class, one who's here this evening. Congratulations again to Michael Charleston. >> Our next recognition highlights
013excellence in journalism. Rock would Summit was honored with multiple distinctions at the Missouri Interscholastic Journalism Association J Day event and competition, including all Missouri and superior ratings. Please join us in congratulating the all Missouri students on their respective awards. Suha Alhamad for student life photo, Madison Hill sports action photo, Skyler Holtgrewe for radio sports package, Jake Jansen for radio sports package, Amanda Mertens for radio sports package, Natalie Russo also for radio sports package, and the staff of the yearbook Pinnacle, and the staff of the news magazine Talon. And are we doing one Okay. Okay. I had another one. >> [applause] >> And one more award in journalism or a couple more. And for the J Day J Day superior students and their awards, congratulations to Julia Worley for newspaper sports action photo. >> Okay, and
014now for her hat trick and closing out journalism, we recognize published online journalism. The best of school newspaper online, also known as the SNO, highlights outstanding writing, reporting, and storytelling from student news sites across the country. Congratulations to Julia Warley. In addition to the large group festival, we also had students who earned gold at the Misha State Solo and Ensemble event that provides student musicians an opportunity to showcase their individual or small group talents in a formal educated setting. Starting with band for keyboard mallet solo, we have Michael Charleston. For multiple percussion solo, we have Riley Sticker. For percussion trio, we have Michael Charleston and Riley Sticker again. And for a trombone solo, we have Henry Kim. >> Moving into our athletics, we have an athlete who was named Missouri Basketball Coaches Association All-State team.
015He also earned all-district honors and broke the school's career scoring record with 1,236 points. Congratulations to Oliver Polique. It is an honor to celebrate with you all this evening and we are incredibly proud of your accomplishments. I would now like to call Lafayette principal Dr. Karen Calcaterra to the podium. Thank you, Dr. McGowan. Good evening. It is a privilege to recognize our Lafayette students tonight and celebrate their achievements. We begin with outstanding achievement in academics starting with two students who earned a perfect score on the ACT. Only a small number of students, fewer than 100 in Missouri each year, reach this level of performance. Congratulations on your accomplishment, Laney Bass and Holt Flecksenhar. Continuing with academics, we had three students receive National Merit Scholarships, recognizing not just strong grades, but exceptional overall excellence and leadership.
016Congratulations to Abby Boga, Vedanth Chimakurthy, and Mark Domsalla. >> [applause] >> The next student received a Missouri Scholars 100 prestigious award from the program sponsored by the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals. Congratulations to Suchir Ready. >> [applause] >> The Missouri Future Business Leaders of America or FBLA State Leadership Conference is the premier event that brings together high school students from across the state to showcase their business skills, their leadership abilities, and their career readiness. The following students are earning board awards for placing in the top three. We begin with our first place winners in website coding and development. Congratulations to Noah Byrum, Vivek Medamoni, and Timothy Zeng. >> [applause] >> We now recognize all of our second place honorees. In coding and programming, Abby Boga, Pardhu Kanakandala, Adeeb Swami. >> [applause] >> For manage
017For management information systems, Srikar Kumakari and Rehan Punjabi. And then for mobile application development, Aditya Ganesh, Ashvi Kathari, and Nikhil Sharma. Congratulations to those that earned second place and also for our third place recipients in web design, Rohan Gopalan and Pardhu Kanakandala. Continuing our recognition of excellence in career focused competition, we now turn to the Missouri HOSA State Leadership Conference, where students compete in healthcare related events. Lafayette students demonstrated incredible talent and competed among some of the best students across Missouri. Please join me in congratulating the following students who earned first place in their respective categories. For health career display, Yasmine Elfouly and Gabriella Freitas Fernandez. For medical innovation, Noah Byrow, Vivek Madanini, Suchir Rally, and Timothy Zhang. For medical smelling for medical spelling, Jazz McGill. For organic chemistry, Mardini Nandakumar. For physics college, Noah
018Byrow. For public service announcement, Alexis Sandberg. And for research and persuasive speaking, Aditi Mallik. >> [applause] [applause] >> We would also like to recognize the HOSA second place winners. For career development, Claire Dumsala. For medical innovation, Manisha Banala and Akila Nelore. And for organic chemistry, Neha Prasad. >> And congratulations to our third place finishers, Allied Health Statistics, Anish Patel, Medical Innovation, Aditya Ganesh, Avyukth Raghavamen, Abhinav Rao, Nikhil Sharma, and for Physics College, Pranav Bivaswaran. >> [applause] [laughter] >> We now highlight students who have achieved excellence in journalism. We had a student who earned the superior rating at the Missouri Interscholastic Journalism Association J-Day, an online story package. Congratulations to Audrey Thomas. Moving into fine arts, for the second straight year, this student has been selected for representation in the Missouri Senate Students Art Exhibit. His
019piece is one of 34 chosen from around the state, one from each Senate district, and a photo of his sculpture will be displayed in the state capital throughout the next year. Congratulations to Luke Hinton. We now turn to performances in music. Lafayette had students perform at the Misha High School Large Group Festival receiving the exemplary for their prepared pieces for a panel of judges. Congratulations to the following groups. Our wind ensemble, symphonic band, and our choirs, our treble choir, our treble choirs, chamber choir, and our mixed choir containing Riley Stoffel and Chloe Kim. Congratulations. >> [applause] [clears throat] >> Continuing with music, we had students earn ratings at the state solo and ensemble festival. These students demonstrated exceptional musical skill, preparation, and artistry while performing challenging selections. Beginning with band, congratulations to the following musician
020in their respective categories. Bass clarinet, Sidarth Rao. Flute solo and piccolo solo, Emma Hagen. For the French horn trio, Shruthie Sintho. For percussion and ensemble, Olivia Echelman. And Erin Tarr. And our tuba solo, Luke Dow. >> [applause] >> For our orchestra musicians, congratulations to our string duets. We have Jazmine Gill, Arnav Madhavan, and Ava Starbuck. >> [applause] >> And finally, representing choir, congratulations to the following students on their vocal performances. For vocal solo, Eva Tomich and Kylie Wilkerson. And for miscellaneous vocal ensemble, Chloe Kim, Riley Stoffel, Shrish Chavangari, and Kylie Wilkerson. >> Next we move to our activities and athletics. In the girls athletics programs, our dance team had a successful showing at the Missouri Dance Team Association state competition. We are proud to share that we had two dancers place in the solo competition,
021earning a fourth place in the senior division, Emily Warner, and a first place finish in the junior division solo competition, Milena Mendonca. In addition to the individual awards, the team earned outstanding recognition for their performances, placing third for palm and first for lyrical jazz, and second place overall. They also achieved the highest GPA in their division. Congratulations on a well-deserved deserved success to our Escadrille team. >> [applause] >> In closing out Lafayette's awards in the team category that earned second place at state and earned second place at the Mid Continent Color Guard Association State Championship, congratulations to Lafayette's Varsity Winter Guard. Congratulations. These accomplishments reflect the hard work, dedication, and excellence of our students. We are incredibly proud of each and every one of you. I would now like to ask that Eureka High School
022Principal Dr. Corey Sink please come to the stage. Thank you, Dr. Calcaterra. It is now my pleasure to present the accomplishments of the Eureka High School students and celebrate their hard work and talents they bring to our school. We will begin with our clubs and associations. Eureka had a group finish third at the Missouri FBLA State Leadership Conference in the Community Service Project event. These students hosted an All Abilities Job and Resource Fair aimed at connecting organizations and community members. Congratulations to Fiona Bettencourt, Cole Carlson, and Todd Robinson. >> [applause] [applause] >> Continuing the recognition in the competition achievement, we had Eureka students achieve third place in their category at the Missouri HOSA State Leadership Conference for Future Health Professionals. Biochemistry, Grace Cox. Epidemiology, Brooke Allen. And organic chemistry, Lauren Calhoun. Callahan. >> [applause] >>
023Highlighting excellence in journalism, we'd first like to acknowledge the students for published online journalism for the best of school newspaper online. Congratulation to Charlotte Ealy. >> [applause] >> Continuing with journalism, Eureka had a student earn All-Missouri rating in the Missouri Interscholastic Journalism Association J-Day in the news photo category. Congratulations to Caleb Pickens. >> In addition, Eureka had distinguishing had a distinguished and superior rating in the J Day. Congratulations to Ben Divine for radio podcast talk show, Caden Cleggett for radio podcast talk show, Anna Anna Murray for student life photo in the Eurekan year year book for with Caleb Pickens. >> [applause] >> Now we turn our turn to music where Eureka students performed at the Misha High School large group festival receiving exemplary for the prepared pieces. Congratulations to wind ensemble, symphonic band, symphonic and
024symphonia orchestras, chamber and concert orchestras, mixed chamber, treble choir, and treble chamber choir. >> [applause] >> Yeah! >> [applause] >> In addition, our musicians also earned gold distinction at the state solo ensemble festival for showcasing their exemplary talent and dedication to music excellence. Congratulations to our band recipients in their respective categories. For alto saxophones solo, Melanie Enriquez and Anna Metzger. In their clarinet trio, Alexander Adams, Bryce Prudhoe, Madison Enriquez, Shelby Siler, and Ash Tibo. In euphonium solo, Avery Mills. >> [screaming] >> Our two float flute soloists, Jillian Conley and Anna Coppen. In the flute trio, Zoe Bedaux, Jillian Conley, and Anna Coppen. French horn solo, Tobias Herman. French horn trio, Michael Bishton, Tobias Herman, Gina Renier. Our mixed wind wood quartet, Alexandria Ashbaugh, Zoe Bedaux, Jillian Conley, Kyle Kunszler. Percussion ensemble recipients, Thomas Gregory, Reese
025Hopgood, Ethan Kinnicki, Elena Montgomery, Natalie Vesley. And Symphonion Trio, Melanie Enrique, Evan Ferguson, and Anna Metzler. And finally, our band award goes to the trombone quartet of Andrea Asher, Chris Christie Gillette, Brendan Keefer, and Noah Pearman. >> [applause] >> In earning gold in orchestra, congratulations to string quartet of Jaylen Freeman, Ethan Gee, Reed Huntley, and CJ Moore. For viola solo, Reed Huntley, and McKenzie Mallory. Violin solo, Ethan Biggs, and for piano solo, Edmund Chen. >> [applause] >> In choir, congratulations to the vocal soloists whose performances demonstrated outstanding musicality. Georgia Dean and Elise Ferguson. >> [applause] >> In closing out the awards, music awards for miscellaneous vocal ensemble, Alexandra Bruns, Grace Cox, Haley Deacon, Paige Deacon, Georgia Dean, Elise Ferguson, Natalie Granborg, Natalie Huffman, Faith Leonard, Olivia Idle, Luciana Ortenau, Ellie Schmidt, Adele Short, Bailey Slayton,
026and Maddie Wilken. >> [applause] >> Yay. In turning to athletics, Eureka captured first place finish at the Mid-Continent Color Guard Association State Championship, and completing an undefeated season, congratulations to the Varsity Winter Guard. >> [applause] [cheering] >> Congratulations to all the Eureka students recognized this evening. Your commitment, talent, and perseverance continues to represent our school with within excellence, and we're so proud of your achievements. At this time, I'd like to welcome Dr. Mike Wagner, Associate Principal, Marquette High School, to the stage. >> Thank you, Dr. Sink. I have the privilege to close out the high school awards as we recognize Marquette students and celebrate their achievements. We begin with the outstanding accomplishment in academics and the student that earned a perfect ACT score. Congratulations on your accomplishment, Mihir Busani. >> [applause] >> Beyond academic achievements
027in the classroom, many of our students have also distinguished themselves through leadership and innovation in career-focused organizations. One of those organizations is DECA, where students develop business skills and leadership through competitive events. We had several students excel at that at the state conference. Let's start with recognizing the first place awardees in their respective categories. In innovation plan, Disha Rajesh. Operation research sports and entertainment, Sai Karthik. Principles of hospitality and tourism, Jonathan Lee. Restaurant and food service management, Devansh Sharma. >> [applause] >> We would also like to recognize our DECA second place winners. In independent business plan, Om Garain and Akash Komapalli. I In operation research, buying and merchandising, Sai Deep Kondamudi Gulla and Anish Shinde. In operation research, hospitality and tourism, Ethan Lee. Principles of finance, Akul Melapalli. Professional selling, hospitality and tourism, Ben Chen.
028>> [applause] >> And those that earned a third place at the DECA state competition. In financial services team decision making, Nathaniel Bien and Francisco Silveira Smith. In integrated integrated marketing campaign event, Shree Charan Katabathuni. In operation research, hospitality and tourism, Kyra Kendera and Emily Zoo. In principles of finance, Aidan Christensen. In principles of marking, Achyuth Annegoudula and professional selling, Saketh Akshanthala. And in sports entertainment marketing team decision making, Mark Hair Tovanessian and Kovith Uppal. >> [applause] >> As we conclude our recognition of DECA achievements, we would like to extend special congratulations to a student whose accomplishments earned first place at the DECA national conference. An extraordinary achievement representing the highest level of competition. In addition, the student was elected vice president of communications for the Missouri DECA State Action Team. Congratulations on these remarkable accomplishments,
029Devansh Sharma. Continuing our celebrations in competitive leadership organizations, Marquette also had success at the Missouri FBLA State Leadership Conference. Top performers from all our high schools will advance to nationals this summer. Congratulations to our first place honorees in their events. In business ethics, Dheetya Ladi. In the future business leader and also management information systems, Srihari Aditya Chingavala. >> [laughter] >> For both accounting and banking and financial systems, Nathaniel Bien. Oh. >> [applause] [snorts] >> All right, for computer game and simulation programming, Siddharth Sawant and Samhadri Singh. In digital animation, Sanvi Boynapalli and Sanjana Diviarium. And Saryu Nemadi. In marketing, Long Shoe Liu. >> [applause] [cheering] >> And for our third place FBLA finishers in business management, Mahir Bussini. In coding and programming, Jonathan Lee and Carter Russell. In introduction to parliamentary procedure, Scott Shen. In
030introduction to supply chain management, Vidyuth Kamesh. In mobile application development, Druti Kondamadugula. Neha Kompally and >> [cheering] >> and Sruti Yanamandala. In technology support and services, Devansh Sharma. >> [applause] >> Our next recognition highlights achievements of the Missouri HOSA State Leadership Conference. Marquette students developed health-related leadership skills as they competed in a variety of of events, including demonstrations, presentations, and training sessions. Please join me in in congratulating the following students who earned first place in the respective categories. In career development development, Mahir Bussini. In community awareness, Janvi Immiti Setty. Tanusha Manikandan Manikandan. Anshu Rajoli. And Srihi Senthilnathan. In dermatology, Tanvi Neranjula. In health education, Shreyansh Guduru. Arnav Gupta. Yong Ning. Pranav Satuluri. Harsh Sodavadia. And Ajith Vippin. In mental health promotion, Mahika Biju. Radha Kar. Sarah Matlock. Samjukta Mulinti. Nandi Rao. And Vidhi Soneta. In
031the MRC partnership, Mahitha Konati. And Ananya Saipith. >> [applause] >> We would also like to recognize the following HOSA students who earned second place honors. In creative problem solving, Darsh Gattou. And Udvik Nadikota. In general chemistry, Lily Wang. In mental health promotion, Sanvi Boinapally. Nikita Nikita Chaudhry. And Shanata Dereveanyum. In the MRC partnership, D T Alladi and Sammy Singh. >> [applause] >> And congratulations to our third place HOSA finishers. In creative creative problem solving, Ahon Ghosh, Ishan Pokala, and Gabrielle Tien. In health informatics, Architha Probaker. In medical law and ethics, Manasvi Yagalamudi, and for medical reasoning, Trisha Aheer. In addition to exploring the future in business and health sciences, we also had students that focused on the past. We are proud to share that six students earned first place at National History Day within their
032categories. They will compete at the national level in June. Congratulations to individual documentary, Cleared for Takeoff: How the TWA Mothers Fight Against Gender Discrimination Reformed the Aviation Industry and Civil Rights, Rohan Deshpande. In the group documentary, Phyllis Schlafly, the woman who led Americans in the movement that killed the ERA, Siddharth Savant, and Yvette Yaroshenko. And for senior paper, Paving Over Community: Highways, Power, and Richmond Heights, Mahesh Badapalli. We also had a senior group performance place second. Congratulations to Alexia Vakilli, Alida Kiran, Brinda Mududuleri, Billy Yulia Sun, and Isabel Ter-Hovhannisyan. And for individual website placing third, congratulations. >> [applause] >> Transitioning to excellence in journalism, we begin with writing awards. Marquette received multiple honors from the MIJA J-Day event for their contributions to the school's journalism program. Please join us in congratulating members of the All
033All Missouri students on their respective awards. Kate Lorenz, online story package, Avery Pitt, online story package, Morgan Siegel, online story package and in-depth news story. Zoe Srote, in-depth news story and news magazine cover page design. Annsiya Tanasia, in-depth news story. >> [applause] >> And in the superior rating at J-Day, congratulations to Chris Miller and Elise Rhodes broadcast feature package. Continuing with recognition in writing and communication, the Quill and Scroll Writing, Visual, and Multimedia Competition celebrates excellence in high school journalism and media production. Please join us in congratulating these students for their outstanding achievements. Aidan Gallagher, video sports package, first place. >> [applause] >> We are also proud to recognize Marquette's journalism program for earning the prestigious Silver Crown Award from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. This honor recognizes outstanding overall excellence in student journalism. Congratulations
034to the students and advisers of the Marquette Messenger. In concluding our journalism awards, we had students who earned the best of school newspapers online awards over the past year. This recognition is only awarded to the top 15 10 to 15% of submissions. Congratulations to the representatives, Cole Eiler. >> [applause] >> We now turn to our robotics students who demonstrated innovation, teamwork, and engineering excellence to earn qualification for the First Premier Events Championship. Congratulations the Luxons Robotics Team. >> [applause] >> Marquette Marquette also had musicians who performed and earned gold at the Misha High School Large Group Festival receiving the exemplary award for their prepared pieces. Congratulations to the wind ensemble, symphonic orchestra, concert orchestra, trouble chamber choir, and combined trouble choirs. >> [applause] >> Continuing with excellence in music, we had students earn gold at
035the Misha District Solo and Ensemble for their performances. Beginning with band and their divisions, congratulations alto saxophone solo Parker Goldsman, flute solo Min Yu, member of our percussion ensemble Jake Wong, member of our trombone quartet Andrew Phillips. >> [applause] >> Our gold recipients in orchestra for violin solo Caleb DeShaun, and member of our string duet Yvette Yurashenka. >> To conclude Marquette's recognitions, we celebrate the Misha Athletic Award from Missouri Basketball Coaches Association All-State Team honors. Congratulations to Brody Owen. >> [applause] >> Congratulations Marquette students and to all Rockwood students. At this time, I would like to ask Dr. Cain back to the podium to present the school and staff awards. >> [clears throat] >> The accomplishments we have recognized this evening reflect the dedication and commitment that you bring each and every day. Before we
036conclude, I would like to take a moment to celebrate our schools and our staff awards. First, we are proud to celebrate four Rockwood schools that are among 72 schools worldwide that have been designated as National Schools of Character for 2026. They are also among 15 schools in the state of Missouri to earn the recognition this year. This honor is awarded to schools that demonstrate a truly exceptional commitment to character education, shaping values, strengthening academics, and helping students thrive both in and outside of the classroom. Schools receiving this recognition have achieved a standard of excellence in character development through their exemplary implementation of character.org's 11 principles of effective character education. A team of trained evaluators assess each school based on these principles, and schools earn their designations for 5 years. Our first recognition tonight is a
037school that earned state of character honors last year and now adds national school of character recognition. Congratulations to Ridge Meadows Elementary School. >> [applause] [applause] >> Also earning national school of character after receiving state recognition last year is Crestview Middle School. This is the second time the school has earned this honor. Again, congratulations, Crestview Middle School. >> [applause] [applause] >> For the first time earning both distin- both distinctions, our next school was recognized this year as both a state and national school of character. Congratulations to Eureka High School. >> [applause] [applause] >> And this last honoree earned state school of character recognition in 2024 and now also joins the list of national schools of character. This is the second time the school has received this honor. Congratulations to Lafayette High School. >> Closing out the
038school awards, we would like to recognize three Rockwood schools that were among only 14 from across the state to earn the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Exemplary School Library Program distinction this year. We have two high schools and one middle school, with this being the first Rockwood middle school to receive this honor. Applicants were scored by a team of school librarians across the state on 21 different indicators that measure aspects, excuse me, that measure aspects such as instruction, leadership, library environment, library management, and staffing. So, without further ado, I would like to congratulate the following libraries on this achievement. Crestview Middle School, Marquette High School, and Rockwood Summit High School. We are also proud to honor a Eureka special education teacher as the Best Buddies Missouri Chapter Advisor of the Year. This award
039recognizes an educator whose leadership and dedication have made a meaningful impact through fostering inclusion, friendship, and opportunities for students of all abilities. Congratulations to John Deevers. >> [applause and cheering] [clears throat] >> To conclude tonight's awards, we'd like to honor another staff member at Eureka High School who has been named the Missouri Interscholastic Journalism Association Administrator of the Year. This individual is is described as a dedicated supporter of student journalists who engages with student journalists and encourages a student-led environment and truly walks the walk. Their commitment to empowering student voices and providing resources has strengthened the program and contributed to growing a very successful program at both the state and the national level. Congratulations to Dr. Sarah Goodman. >> [applause] >> Thank you and congratulations to all. I would now like to turn the stage
040over to school board president Tammy Romberg. Let's give everyone a round of applause, those of us that are left. >> [applause] >> That concludes our our ceremony for this evening. Congratulations to our students and staff, and thank you all for being here. We now invite you to join our honored recipients outside the theater for refreshments. Have a great evening. The Board of Education meeting is now adjourned. >> [applause]