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THE KIRKWOOD CALL FRIENDS OF CALL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF FEATURES STAFF Camille Baker Fitz Cain STAFFER ($25) EDITOR (CONT.) EDITOR (CONT.) Hannah Cohen Megan Cleveland Chris Gollobitz Jack Snider Ben Cohen Chloe Hooker Malcia Greene Dan and Tina Reising Becky Snider Felissa Lashley WEB EDITOR Charlotte Heinrich Pete and Julie Cohen Martha Lane Will and Laura Ebel Abby Geisz Daniel Kim Walter and Marybeth Colon Jay and Lorraine Palm Jennifer Howard Maddie Hawes Maddie Meyers Pamela Stewart Laurie and Scott Wilton Walter and Theresa Colon Grace Murphy Charlie and Sally Birmingham MANAGING EDITOR EDITOR ($50) EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ($75) Allison Ortmann Rich Stobbe Adele Baughman Richard Pfiefer Linda Hammond Nancy and Gene Lannotti Cathy Meeks Patty Judd Jack Rittendale The Borbonus Family Jean Tomlin Bridget Snider The Battista Family SPORTS EDITOR Alissa and David Rowan Ken and Marilyn Cottin Sue Newell BUSINESS EDITOR Kate Hennessey The Newman Family Deborah Cottin The Bjorkman Family Ashley Chiles Pete and Marcia Painter SPORTS STAFF The Herwig Family Robert and Carolyn O'Neill Nicole Roth The Gaal Family Phyllis Eagleburger Ned and Judy Cleveland Riley Arns The Fagan Family James and Phyllis Weidman Jack and Dottie Connell BUSINESS STAFF Austin Cleveland Kristin and Sean Pack The Glaser Family Chris and Jennifer Toebben Alex Bowles Brendan Davidson Erica Hughes The Silver Family Greg and Carole Hanser Marc Binder SOCIAL MEDIA STAFF Dan and Melissa Ewen Louis Schulder Ann and Dan Cain Cate Camenzind Naomi Thomson The DuBord Family Regina and John Bugée Jennifer and Charlie Birmingham Maria Ginocchio WEB STAFF The Ferguson Family Robert and Wendy Greene Candace and Chris Hooker Emily Hovey Wolfie Frick The Bradley Family Sue Hooker Stephanie Philipp TJ Kocher ART EDITOR The Obertop Family Michael Teasdale David and Karen Rieger Harry Loida Bridget Killian Lori Villier Christian Heutel Russ and Meg Hawes Jane Stewart Tom and Tamara Reed Molly Hooks Kathleen Arns ARTIST The Avery Family Cindy and Dale Philipp Deanne Stepp Jimmy Tang Audrey Allison Becket Clark Nate and Heather Philipp Mary Glenn PR EDITOR Celia Bergman Jake Martine Ann RIves The Hennessey Family Maisie Bradley Maggie Burton Madelyn Rehkop Diann Loida Meghan and Andy Stewart COPY EDITOR Ava Hughes Hetladge Family Mike Hovey Sarah Nash Janet Dussold Sharon Johnston PUBLISHER ($100+) Izzy Colon Bailey Niece Peck Family Barbara Tellez Katie Judd The Sheridan Family Catherine McCandless Matt and Christina Butler Michael and Debby Lane Robin and Craig Caringer Allie Hickenbotham Lizzie Stobbe Lauri Thompson Ann and Jerry Cunningham Amy and Brad Kocher Anna-Claire Kilcoyne Madelyn Rehkop Anne and Brittan Edler-Warbin Jack and Janice Baily Quentin Stepp Emma Verrill The Hetladge Family Kari Green Joe and Marianne Garr Melanie Witt Haley Mitchell Janet Dussold Angie Bernardi Mike, Kennady and Ainsley Wade NEWS-FEATURES VIDEO EDITOR The Peck Family The Grabau Family Todd McCandless EDITOR Abbey Painter Matt and Christina Butler The Lin Family Mike and Jeannie Murphy Annie O’Brien PHOTO EDITOR Lauri Thompson Jennifer Sloop Jeff and Kristen Cleveland Sally Pfisterer Eric Binder NEWS-FEATURES STAFF Audrey Berns John and Dana Geisz Zac Clingenpeel Ann and Ira Cohen Maria Phillips Marilyn and Layton Stewart Emma Lingo The Chiles Family David Arns The Klebe Family Jonathan Munroe PHOTOGRAPHER Stacey Stewart Ann Wolfe Mary Ann Baker OPINIONS EDITOR Chrisitan Baker Suzy Rives Mr. and Mrs. Walter Hubbard Chad and Julie Frizzell Laura Belle Crews Kelley Cochran Gabrielle Baker Kenneth Bowman Joan Halloran Emma Bjorkman Leslie Huggins Donna Drury OPINIONS STAFF Steve Greene Mary Frizell Doug Curtis Vicky Drury and Tim Splett The Davidson Family Jack Bugée Chase Kilby Jim and Joanne RIntoul Molly O’Brien Lisa Ortmann Carter Philipp Kylan Lane Michael Rintoul Sally Guignon Michael A. and Liz Colón Sha’Diya Tomlin Warren Lynn Hughes Stephanie Stewart Meg Murphy Anne and Paul Loida PARSNIP EDITOR Melinda McGrath Don and Mary Stewart Karen Fuchs Mary Ralston Gary and Melanie Tate Carolyn Otto Mike and Tamara Lane Will Drury Kara Rieger Ryan and Justina Tate Elizabeth A. Kilby The West Family ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Will Rives Scott and Jennifer Sisul Aaron and Amanda Unterreiner O’Keeffe Construction Jack Rintoul Anthony Speech Kaitlin Kilby Matt Perry Christine Overholt ENTERTAINMENT STAFF Megan Van Buren Dianne Nixon Sue and Mike Kilby Tom and Emily Guignon Ainlsey Fox Malayna Vines Tom Perry Lisa Bergman Ms. Dorothy Meyers Liam Jackson Ellie Shell Stacey Stewart The Meyers Family Grace Klebe Steve Hughes Emily Fuller Patrick and Ramona Shaw Mary Jane Crews Kathryn Rupp Eleanor Sallen IN-DEPTH EDITOR Warren Crews Rick Kusnierz Jennifer Ralston Thomas Birmingham Morris Killian Keith and Carolyn Bowles Jerry and Judy Potthoff FEATURES EDITOR Martha K. Smith Sarah Francois Ann Munier Adler Bowman Poppo Klebe Mike Brittain Nora Anderson Claire Boysen

what is “where are they now”?

he goal of TKC is to tell WATN piece for our Back to School everyone’s story. Our staff issue, similar to Sport Illustrated’s Taspires to include those own annual “Where Are They from Kirkwood, whether they Now?” issue. are still residing in our tight-knit Our coverage this issue includes community or not. KHS graduates from the classes of This is why we made the “Where 1971 through 2011, teachers, and Are They Now?” (WATN) issue. To those from both coasts of the U.S. share these stories that you may and beyond. The importance of this not normally hear of otherwise. issue is not about how far across To inform our audience of how the world they have traveled, but others are changing the world what they have done not only for around them. themselves, but for others. I got the initial idea from my Our goal of this issue is to grandmother talking about former educate our audience and display KHS Principal Franklin McCallie the lesser-known people and what and his recent involvement they are doing. How everyone will helping to mix black and white always have a place as a Pioneer. communities in Tennessee with his monthly racial discussion -HANNAH COHEN dinners.Soon after, I got in contact with McCallie and produced a watn IN THIS ISSUE

06 Tom Vogl 07 Maggie Berardino 08-09 Allison Hudgins 10 Jenny Slater 11 Erin Schneider 12 Mikala Jones 13 Nick Jones 14 Keith Rawlings 15 Jane Drichta 16 Wayne Baldwin 17 Katie Hall, Lucas Ravenscraft, Mary Dahlem and Jaqueline Ravenscraft 18-19 Teacher alumni 20-21 H.L. Hall and Katie Meyers 22 Brent and Dana Sutter 23 Blythe Terrell 24 Richie Frohlichstein 25 Mike McGill 26 Drew Redington 27 Kevin Renick 28 Nikki Glaser 30 Devan Coggan 31 Tim Leong 33 Drew Nikonowicz 34-35 Artists 36 Geri Phillips 37-39 Valedictorians PROFESSION: CEO, THE MOUNTAINEERS LOCATION: SEATTLE, WASHINGTON PHOTO COURTESY OF CLASS OF 1985 TOM VOGL

he average height of an adult and wilderness.” Mountaineers, Vogl knew he had to with the nature around them. They maple tree is 70 feet. As one After graduating from the apply. The company, which specializes offer free hiking and climbing classes Tof the most commonly found University of Missouri-Columbia in creating safe ways to get people and the non-profit plays a large role trees in North America, the maple and Harvard Business School, Vogl involved with nature, was similar to in environmental protection. Vogl towers over humans. However, these moved to the west coast and began the club Vogl was involved in at KHS. said he loves his job because it makes trees did not start that large. Just like it easy for him to wake up every humans, trees have to mature and morning and go to work. grow to get where they are today. “I was really passionate about the For Tom Vogl, 1985 KHS graduate, “I was really work that I was doing,” Vogl said. “A high school served as that place of job like this gives me the opportunity growth for him. It was in those halls to merry up a passion of mine, like he established his roots and began passionate about climbing and backcountry skiing, embarking on a journey that would with a really cool job.” eventually lead him to his career Trees never stop growing. They today. the work that I will stop getting taller, but instead “[At KHS] they really expected they begin to bulk up, expanding a lot from you and pushed you to in width. In fact, scientists have be the very best you could be,” Vogl was doing.” discovered that trees start to grow said. “Whether you were an athlete faster the older they become. And just on the field or someone in student working jobs in the marketing field. With a lot of business experience like trees, Vogl believes he is growing government, the school’s focus on While working at companies like REI and a love for the outdoors, Vogl faster than ever. Although his current inspiring people in any role really and serving as one of the directors on considered himself the perfect job looks to be the highpoint of his made an impact.” the National Parks advisory board, candidate for the job and eventually career, Vogl looks forward to the While at KHS, Vogl was one Vogl was able to challenge himself assumed the role of CEO for the future and what The Mountaineers of the initial members of the by attempting tougher climbs and company in February of 2016. has to offer him. Beautification Committee, which learning new skills such as skiing. “We were confident that Tom’s “There are a number of benefits focused on cleaning up campus and Now a trained outdoorsman, Vogl leadership skills, his experience with that can come from getting people giving students a chance to learn wanted to help others get involved in both the business and the recreation to spend time in the outdoors,” Vogl outdoor skills. With the rest of nature as well. communities and his personal said. “I think people who are able to the members, Vogl learned how to “One of the things I love about commitment to conservation and experience things like camping in the properly climb rocks and where in the outdoors is that it brings people outdoor education make him ideally woods or the mountains can be a very the area to hike. Along with learning together into a community,” Vogl suited to lead The Mountaineers,” restorative experiences.” ▶ skills, the committee planted trees said. “I think it is a really positive Dan Lauren, Mountaineers Board and other plants and learned the thing in that regard.” president, said. STORY BY values of servant-leadership. Vogl When a job opportunity opened Today, The Mountaineers focus JACK RINTOUL found his passion through the club for a non-profit organization based on providing the Seattle area with and wanted to expand his knowledge in Seattle, Washington, called The education on how to properly interact ART BY BAILEY NIECE on the topics. “[The committee] created a way for people of different walks of life around Kirkwood to come together and take part in cleaning up the campus,” Vogl said. “I learned that people are their best selves when they have these experiences with nature TOM VOGL 6 page design by Jack Rintoul PHOTO COURTESY OF MAGGIE BERARDINO ART BY CATHERINE McCANDLESS MAGGIE BERARDINO STORY BY EMMA LINGO olunteering in a third world “[Life] never goes how you a month and works from her office country and being a teacher in plan,” Berardino said. “Whatever there, but she is usually traveling the VJapan do not require the same you think in your head is going to Ugandan children English. The world working for the company off of skill set that learning about statistics happen will not happen. You have to village she was stationed in had her laptop. does. After studying statistics at be able to move on and keep going.” no electricity and had just gotten Berardino has had the the University of Missouri, Maggie Despite suffering from the running water for the first time in the opportunity to make friends all Berardino,’97 KHS graduate, decided breakup, Berardino opted to stay in late 00’s. over the world. She has made quite earning her degree in the United Japan as an English teacher. As she “It was a huge culture shock. It a few in the United States, too. Julia States was not something she needed. was instructing Japanese students, took some getting used to, but it was Alvarez, Berardino’s old roommate, In college, Berardino developed Berardino became familiar with the rewarding to see how [Ugandans] still stays in contact with Berardino a ‘travel bug’ and spent her early 20s basics of the Japanese language and live,” Berardino said.“The people, and enjoys traveling with her. moving from continent to continent. worked to be fluent while forming a even though they didn’t have iPhones “Her willingness and ability to She has visited at least 26 foreign bond with her students. and laptops, were so happy with grab life by the horns [inspires me],” countries within the last two decades “I moved to Japan not knowing their life.” Alvarez said. “From what I’ve seen and has dedicated her whole life to anything about the culture or the Berardino not only worked and the things that’re most important to exploring the world around her. language. [I’m proud] of how I really volunteered at i-to-i, it was also where Maggie are building up relationships, After graduating from KHS, put myself outside my comfort zone she met her friend Lisa Caputo traveling the world and really Berardino studied abroad for a year in and stayed for three years,” Berardino Sandy. They have been friends since putting herself in environments that Australia and then spent one summer said. “It was really challenging the meeting in 2006. Within the last are uncomfortable to learn more semester in London. Once she first year, [because] the culture was so decade they have traveled to four about herself.” ▶ finished her schooling in England, different. I think staying there was a countries together. Berardino moved back to Australia to big accomplishment of mine.” “[Maggie] is not afraid to take live with a man she had fallen in love Japan was not enough to satisfy chances,” Sandy said. “If someone else with while studying there. Berardino Berardino’s desire to travel the doesn’t want to do something she’ll worked in Australia for six months world. She sought out international just go ahead and do it. She doesn’t in order to stay close, but her visa companies and snagged a job with need support from others [to feel PROFESSION: TOUR expired. Her boyfriend could not get a British company called i-to-i. For confident in herself] like others do.” a visa in the United States and her her job, she sent people overseas to Berardino threw in the towel CONSULTANT time in Australia had met its end. volunteer in impoverished countries. at i-to-i five and a half years ago. LOCATION: DENVER, Their solution was to pack up and Berardino dove head-first into her Afterward she took a job with COLORADO move to Japan to teach English to work and personally volunteered Discover France, a company that Japanese students together. The couple herself for projects in Costa Rica, Sri works to provide travels with the CLASS OF 1997 went through with their plan and all Lanka and Uganda. In a Ugandan perfect hiking and biking routes in was well until three weeks into their village, Berardino revisited her European countries. Twice a year one-year teaching contract, Berardino teaching days and began teaching Berardino is France-bound for about and her boyfriend split. page design by Emma Lingo 7 ALLISON HUDGINS n old, white shipping container became disillusioned to politics, had recently arrived from Florida Marie Clair Beauvil, the rests two hours west of Panama however, and she and her husband with a plan to open a school. The missionary who helped Hudgins ACity, secluded in an area lush both felt the need for a change. So three met to talk, and Five Star found the school, has known Hudgins with trees and other plant life. Once when an opportunity arose in the Academy was born not long after. since 2010. She came to Panama with used during the construction of the late 90s to start a company exporting And while she has stayed put ever the sole purpose of starting a school Panama Canal, dents and chips are coffee in Sierra Leone, they accepted, since, she said she is not sure what the for those in need, but had been now splattered across its walls, and even though the nation was in the future has in store. unsuccessful. Beauvil was preparing small windows let in as much of midst of a civil war. But just a short “When it comes to [my] career, to leave until she heard that there was the glaring Panamanian sun as they time later, they were back in the I don’t plan anything,” Hudgins a woman who desperately wanted to can. Step inside the metal structure, states. Their company had gone belly said with a light laugh. “Anything meet and bring the school to life. So however, and one will encounter air up, losing investor money as well as long-term, I don’t plan. I can’t plan. Beauvil agreed, and thus, the two met. conditioning, maps adorning the their own. Because I think people get stuck in Right away, Beauvil was impressed walls and books atop an array of grey “When we got back to the states, their own head about what the plan with Hudgins’s drive. folding tables. It is a place meant for our tails between our legs, we had no is supposed to be. It is very important “Some people would be hesitant learning. For inside this shipping money and no job,” Hudgins said. to be completely flexible and just go living in a new country and starting a container in rural Panama, there is “But my mindset was really just to where life takes you.” school,” Beauvil said. “People would a school called Five Star Academy, use what we had learned in that crazy Mike Wade, KHS associate be afraid of it, and she just wasn’t. and its founder is 1991 KHS graduate She’s not afraid to start something Allison Hudgins. new, something different. That’s Hudgins started the school with something I love about her.” two other women in 2011, and since “It is very But Hudgins, after all, is only then, the school has grown from human. She said she gets anxiety five students to over 70, with over 20 important to be all the time. There are times when different nations represented in the she can reach near panic attacks, student body. Hudgins emphasized thinking of all the ways any given that many aspects of the school completely flexible situation could go bad. It’s scary, she serve to make it unique. Students said. Scary to live in a new country. use recycled textbooks ordered off and just go where Scary to try and start a school with Amazon. They learn how to raise no background in education. Scary to ducks and pigs as often as they learn life takes you. not know what the future will hold. math and science. Some can speak “You can’t let fear or anxiety stop up to four languages. But despite you from moving forward,” Hudgins this lack of standard practices, every Even if I fail, it said. “You can either let it stop you faculty member has at least a Master’s and paralyze you to where you don’t Degree in teaching, and they stress a get out of bed, or you can go exactly challenging academic curriculum for doesn’t matter.” where you are being led. Even if I fail, all students. And while some financial it doesn’t matter. I’ve learned to use troubles exist, Hudgins said the experience [for] future adventures in principal, knew Hudgins as a high that anxiety to push me forward and academy has grown beyond anything my life and see how I could apply schooler, and said she was the most motivate me.” she thought possible. those lessons to ensure [those failures] independent kid he knew at the Above all else, Beauvil praises “If I was in it for the money, I don’t happen again.” time. According to Wade, if you Hudgins for her strength. The would have gotten out a long time Her family did not remain in the told her to go right, she would go strength to do all she can to better ago,” Hudgins said. “We are in it United States for long. They soon left. She was, he said, a terror on the the lives of her children. The strength for our kids’ education. It’s really decided to pack up again to live administration. Wade remembers her to seek out new opportunities even cool to watch these kids and to see in Panama for a year, operating a outside-the-box way of thinking best if they are on another coninent how the world opens up to them vacation rental company. But a year of all, and believed even then she was thousands of miles away. The strength [at this school].” came and went, and Hudgins still going to be successful at anything to move past her failures. Most If someone had asked Hudgins was not ready to return to an office she did. importantly, Beauvil is a firm believer 30 years ago what she would be doing job, much less to the United States. “There are people we’ve seen at that Hudgins has the strength to now, never in a million years would So two years went by. Then three. [KHS], some very unique individuals, improve the world. she have said facilitating her own By this time, Hudgins’s children who you know are going to figure “People deserve to know about school, she said. She was too afraid were of school age, so she began it out, one way or another,” Wade people like that,” Beauvil said. of missing out on opportunities homeschooling them out of necessity, said. “They’ll have some bumps and “People who can change the world. to plan far into the future. After dealing with spotty Internet access bruises, but they’ll end up on the Someone strong enough to create graduating from the University of and a lack of material. Eventually, other side in a pretty good place. That new things and make the world a Illinois Urbana-Champaign, she Hudgins met a woman in roughly was Allison in high school, and that better place. Those people deserve to began work on political campaigns the same situation as her, and she is Allison now. I can’t say a bad thing be known. And I’m just honored to in Washington D.C. She eventually happened to know a missionary who about her.” know someone like her.” ▶

8 page design by Thomas Birmingham PROFESSION: FOUNDER OF FIVE STAR ACADEMY LOCATION: SANTA CLARA, PANAMA ALLISON HUDGINS CLASS OF 1991 STORY BY THOMAS BIRMINGHAM PHOTO COURTESY OF ALLISON HUDGINS

ART BY BRIDGET KILLIAN

9 an afternoon emergency department of Seattle newspaper based in Children’s Hospital. Bend, Oregon. A “The way we view the world writer for the city and the way we want to take care beat, she reported of people is very similar,” Annie on school board said. “We just work with vastly meetings and city different populations.” council meetings, Jenny graduated from KHS in which, according 1995 after moving to Kirkwood to Jenny, she lacked from Hawaii in 1992. At KHS, she a passion for. So wrote for TKC under H.L. Hall. she quit reporting, She describes how having Hall as a and with some teacher was one of her favorite things advice from her about TKC. dad, decided to go “Mr. Hall was amazing, and into the field of he taught so well,” Jenny said. “He social work. brought out that talent that was in “I ended up me, but I don’t think would have moving to Seattle been brought out [without him]. and got on the Charity Goodwin is a pastor ground working and friend of Jenny’s who currently for the homeless lives in Columbia, Missouri She also shelter and the wrote features for TKC and attended crisis clinic,” journalism school at Mizzou with Jenny said. “The Jenny from 1995 to 1999. doors just kind of “[Jenny is] a genuinely kind kept opening.” person,” Goodwin said. “I remember In 2012, Jenny everything about her was harmony received her and peace.” master’s degree of Jenny currently lives with her social work from husband Gregory DeKlever, also the University of a social worker, and their 3-year- Washington. She old son, Vaughn, in Seattle. Her currently works brother and parents also live in the for the University Seattle area. of Washington’s “What I love about Seattle is that Geropsychiatric it’s very progressive, and absolutely unit at Northwest beautiful,” Jenny said. “I live a Hospital in Seattle, block away from the beach, but and aids older when I get on the freeway I can see adults with mental the mountains.” health issues. Originally from Spokane, According to Jenny, Washington, Jenny has found a home 90 percent of their patients have been in Seattle and a passion in social involuntarily detained by the county, work. With support of loved ones, as they have been assessed by a mental every day she continues to improve JENNY health professional and were deemed the lives of others. unfit to live on their own. “I really enjoy working “Caring for SLATER with people with psychiatric PROFESSION: SOCIAL WORKER diagnoses because other people it is the most LOCATION: SEATTLE, WASHINGTON challenging population to work is what she CLASS OF 1995 with in the social STORY BY BENJI WILTON work field,” Jenny said. “When you is really ART BY HALEY MITCHELL see somebody who is totally psychotic, ournalism seemed like the the World Trade Center Sept. 11, [the way] our good at.” perfect profession for Jenny 2001, Jenny began to reevaluate services can help

JSlater. As a features editor for her purpose. get them back into the community “[Jenny] is very passionate about TKC in 1994 and a 1999 graduate “[I went] into journalism to help is amazing.” social justice,” Annie said. “Caring of the University of Missouri people,” Jenny said. “I didn’t really According to Jenny, the desire for other ▶people is what she is really with a degree in journalism, she is feel like I was doing that.” to help others runs in the Slater good at.” experienced in the field. But not At the time of 9/11, Jenny was family. Jenny’s sister, Annie Slater, long after two planes crashed into working for the Bend Bulletin, works as a pediatric doctor at the PHOTO COURTESY OF JENNY SLATER 10 page design by Benji Wilton art Haley Mitchell

PROFESSION: pediatric surgical / cardiac nurse LOCATION: salt lake city, Utah CLASS OF 2000

er patient has turned blue. She “I had been taking care of this before but she’s doing it in a way While Erin’s personality helps calls for help while she thinks patient [whose heart was failing] for that’s very healing and aligns with her with being successful in her Habout all of the possibilities three days in a row.” Erin said. “[We her values,” Chelsie Monroe, nurse line of work, a motto she learned as to why the child has stopped spent the rest of their time at the manager at Denver Health and Erin’s at KHS does too. Whenever Erin breathing. They have a tracheostomy, hospital] playing cards, making sure former boss, said. “I think she’s knows she has a hard day of work in which is a tube that helps the patient they [had] their favorite things to meant to be doing what she’s doing front of her, or when she needs more breathe, yet something has clogged drink, making sure they weren’t in right now.” encouragement, she thinks back to it. She and her colleagues remove pain. It was one of my hardest days Kris Schneider, Erin’s wife, said what journalism adviser H.L. Hall the mucus that was blocking the because I knew [the patient] wasn’t that her job is perfect for her because would say. young patient’s airway. While the going to make it through the night.” of her caring nature. However, “He would come into class every child’s mother stood there watching Her job has not only made because of that characteristic her job morning and say ‘I’m alive, awake, doctors trying to save her child’s life, alert, enthusiastic,’” Erin said. “In the whole ordeal only lasted about “...I knew [the pa- high school I thought it was silly, but four minutes. it stuck with me. To work with kids Now living in Salt Lake City, you need to have a lot of enthusiasm. Erin Schneider, 2000 KHS graduate, tient] wasn’t going to To be a nurse you need to be alert works as a cardiac nurse at Primary and awake. And when I worked in the Children’s Hospital. make it through the emergency department, [I saw that] “The best part [of my job] is the being alive is a gift.”▶ privilege of being able to care for night.” other people’s babies and children during a very stressful time in their her appreciate her good health, can also be hard at times. life,” Erin said. but also fulfills her passion for “I think the hardest part for her is While she always knew that she caring for other people. Prior to when she puts herself in the parent’s wanted to work with children, her job working as a cardiac nurse in Salt shoes and imagines what they’re going as a cardiac nurse deals with a lot of Lake City, Erin lived in Denver through with what decisions they STORY BY hardships that other professions do working as an Emergency Medical have to make for their children,” Kris Claire Boysen not have. Her job is to help children Technician (EMT) in the behavioral said. “She puts other people before the best she can, but sometimes that health department. herself and it makes her really good Photo courtesy Bobbi is not enough. “She worked with patients at her job.” Brinkman Photography erin schneider

page design by Claire Boysen 11 mikala jones

STORIES BY GRACE MURPHY PROFESSION: DIRECTOR AND PRODUCER art by maggie burton LOCATION: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA photo courtesy of mikala jones CLASS OF 2012

he let her high school Nick said. “It is basically looking from Missouri, a lot more progressive She said she enjoys working with experiences go to follow her into a mirror and talking to yourself [and] a lot more ‘be yourself,’ and do people who accept her for who she is Spassion to live in Los Angeles to because you kind of know what you whatever it is that makes you happy.” and they can be whoever they want to work as a film director and producer. need to hear, you just need to hear it Chanel Fielder, Mikala and be as well. She did not fit in very well in high from someone else.” Nick’s mother, said she loved “[What makes my job fun is] school. She was on pommies, in Mikala said graduating a having her children in the KSD. being able to create and really having student government and was voted the freedom to create anything I ‘The most likely to never come back want,” Mikala said. “In the creative to Kirkwood.’ Mikala Jones, 2012 “I was very depressed world, it is the opposite of corporate KHS graduate, managed to never give and I really love that. I love that I can up in high school and that led her to be the same person I am outside of what she does today. and alone during my work inside of work and celebrate it.” Mikala moved to Los Angeles, Mikala is able to create anything Calif. to work for Buzzfeed as high school days. she wants whether is it scripted, an intern and later moved onto unscripted, short or long. she said. Fullscreen, producing many videos According to Mikala, one of the like “56 Things You’ve Definitely Said Eventually, I just struggles of working as a film director If You’re From St. Louis.” She did and producer is what will come in not have the high school experience gave up. I started to the future. everyone hopes to have, but she loves “The only thing I could say that where she is now. become happier when I I don’t like is that there is no carved “I graduated a semester early out path to become a producer or because I couldn’t find a place for director,” Mikala said. “It is hard myself [at KHS],” Mikala said. “I was let that go.” trying to navigate what exactly it very depressed and alone during my is that you need to do to get to the high school days. Eventually, I just semester early allowed her to travel She said she has always believed in next spot, but other than that I love gave up. I started to become happier and take some time off from school. Mikala and knows Mikala is doing [my job].” when I let that go.” She attended Meramec Community what she loves. Mikala said that for people who Mikala said although she felt College for two years and received “I just always told them if feel like her and do not fit in, not alone she still had her twin brother, her general transfer studies. Then she [Mikala and Nick] pursue what they fitting in is a great thing that is going Nick Jones, by her side. Nick said went to the University of Missouri wanted, and pursue college after to push you to do great things that no having a twin sister is a great thing, - Columbia and got a degree in high school,” Fielder said. “Do the one else will do. You just have to wait and they always had each other to communications and took a few best that you can, then eventually and see where life takes you. go to for guidance and to help each film classes. you are determined to make it and “To all the people that feel like other out. “It is a lot of fun living [in Los somebody is going to see that. Believe they don’t fit in, think they are losers “You really understand someone Angeles]. It is very warm, bright, [and] in yourself.” or what is wrong with me, there is on [a] deeper level when you need you can be whoever you [want to Mikala said her job is what allows nothing wrong with you,” Mikala advice [from someone close to you],” be],” Mikala said. “It is a lot different her to be herself and create anything. said. “You will find a place where

12 page design by Grace Murphy e had it easier in high school Fielder, Nick’s mother, said she always out when they need it, even if they the rotational program called the than his twin sister, Mikala encouraged Nick and Mikala to do live on opposite sides of the country. corporate analyst development Jones, who did not fit in. Being their best. They both said they contact each program, Nick said. The rotational H “I have a saying on my wall that other daily. program allows Nick to go through on the football team, trying out many other sports like lacrosse and rugby says ‘Preparation meets opportunity,’” “It’s hard at times [living so far the different businesses the company in the off season. He was well-liked Fielder said. “That is what I would tell away from Nick], but we talk a lot,” has to offer every six months of the and had a good group of friends. them all the time, like for Nick and Mikala said. “We have always been two years. He appreciates KHS more now than his job. In New York City, he would close so we fight just as much.” “I don’t necessarily get to be a he did while in school. Nick Jones, have never had that chance had he According to Nick, his job at go-to subject matter expert [in the 2012 KHS graduate, found his future not struggled and gone to college for JPMorgan Chase allows him to work business] on one specific thing,” Nick passion from coming to the KSD and said. “I get to rotate through these using his past to guide him. different lines of business over the “Coming from the inner city “It’s hard at times next two years of full rotations. I will schools [Garfield Elementary], it was always have to answer a new job or kind of like day and night,” Nick said. [living so far away function and join a new team.” “I would go home and sometimes According to Nick, he enjoys our hot water wasn’t running or using as much as his free time as sometimes our electricity was off. from Nick], but we he can after work each day. Nick Then going to Kirkwood, I get to go said after he graduated college he see my friends every single day or I talk a lot.” has enjoyed reading, working out, get to go play sports and be out in hanging out with friends, and Kirkwood. It was the financial literacy five years. He was determined to make with people to benefit him and others. occasionally playing basketball. part that [allowed me to choose my it happen.” He is able to spend time working “For anyone looking to get into job today].” Nick said working at JPMorgan long hours every day with intelligent banking, even if you are young, Nick said he was one of the in New York is a beautiful place to people to inspire him. in high school or a freshman or popular guys in high school but did live. He said he looks forward to “You want to be able to work with sophomore in college, there are not prioritize, which resulted in low spending more time in a diverse the people because you are working opportunities out there where they do grades. He focused more in college environment. with them 40 to 60 hours a week,” introductory [business] programs,” at Meramec Community College “I have fallen in love with New Nick said. “I get to work with really Nick said. “If that is something that and then the University of Missouri York,” Nick said. “I definitely want smart people every single day and you are thinking about or want to - Columbia to receive his major of to be back in the Midwest, whether people that the brand and culture of try, there is an opportunity out there, bachelors in science and business that is Chicago or St. Louis. I have JPMorgan has is really great. If there you just have to go out there and get administration with an emphasis in been back for Turkey Day games and was any place to start a career that can it. Work hard and an opportunity finance and banking and real estate. [other] stuff like that, but who knows sharpen your skills, this would be the should come your way.” ▶ He currently works at JPMorgan what is going to happen in ten years.” place for me.” Chase in New York and is in the Both Nick and Mikala said being The hardest part about working two-year rotational program. Chanel twins allows them to help each other at JPMorgan is the first two years, nick jones

PROFESSION: ANALYST LOCATION: NEW YORK CLASS OF 2012

photo courtesy of nick jones

13 profession: founder of yia location: kirkwood, missouri class of 1972 story by laura belle crews photo kara rieger keith rawlings hen Keith Rawlings heard around him. Being a Citizen Deputy individual projects. and creativity to find new projects that the Quinette Cemetery, a Juvenile Officer allowed him to see “Say you [were arrested for] and people to support. According Wblack cemetery, in Kirkwood youth who were struggling and took shoplifting,” Rawlings said. “It’s to Rawlings, close to 50 percent was going to be bulldozed for a road it as an opportunity to connect kids a minimum of 50 service hours. of students who graduated from leading to nearby apartments, he with people in their community. So, What I try to do is not make [you] YIA continue to support their immediately felt the need to preserve Rawlings founded Youth In Action scrub floors or toilets. I try to find communities, either through their it. He documented the headstones (YIA), a St. Louis service group, [something] positive that won’t jobs or on their own. He said he for his Photography Merit Badge for in 1994. make [you] mad. A lot of the kids hopes he can press his current Boy Scouts from 1964 to 1965. Once “[It] started about 23 years ago I work with are trying to build self- members to do something positive he graduated from KHS in 1972, as a Latchkey program because there esteem and just make a difference in in their environment just for the Rawlings began the long journey of were so many kids getting arrested in the world.” sake of being a good person. Sammy researching each name he uncovered Kirkwood [because they had] nothing Each year, YIA gives back to the Teuscher, senior at Lindbergh High to bring justice to the people to do,” Rawlings said. “They couldn’t community with projects such as School and president of YIA, said she buried there. afford the [YMCA and] didn’t have birthday parties in a bag and sending will likely participate in community “No one [wanted to] protest since a pool at the time, so we’d come to supplies to natural disaster victims. service once she graduates as well. it’s 100 years old and it’s [a] black my house on a Friday, watch a movie Emily Lynch, junior, said Rawlings “[YIA] has made me become more [cemetery],” Rawlings said. “There [or] skateboard. Then the following has impacted her outlook on aware of the issues in the community was no record of anyone buried there. Friday we’d do something [for the service and exposure to problems in and made me want to help more,” After all the research, we found five Teuscher said. “[Rawlings has] made Civil War veterans. We got a veteran an impact and helped me become ceremony [with] a 20 guard salute, “a lot of the kids more social. I was really shy when I bagpipes [and] new headstones for was younger, so once I joined YIA, it them. We saved the cemetery.” helped me come out and help others.” In addition to veterans, slaves i work with are Ever since Rawlings began working were also buried in the Quinette on the Quinette Cemetery, he said Cemetery. Rawlings said he felt sad he knew he had a passion for helping that people wanted to cover up such trying to build others. He knew it was his and the an important burial ground because rest of the community’s responsibility each grave had a story. Over the to tell stories of people who need years, he compiled interviews with self-esteem.” help. He said it does not matter the family members of people buried amount of money something requires in Quinette, documentation of each community]. Over those years, we’ve the community. or if YIA receives recognition for headstone and pictures of the lives gone through [about] 600 kids.” “You really see how fortunate their good deeds. What matters is that lay at rest in the cemetery into YIA recruits sixth grade to you are,” Lynch said. “You see the facilitating positive change through his book “Gone But Not Forgotten” 12th grade students from different community and [think] everyone is one person or group at a time. published in 2003. Rosa Parks, a civil schools with a range of grades, well off and fortunate. But you don’t “We had someone design a rights activist, recognized Rawlings’ backgrounds and discipline. With a know everyone’s story and there are wheelchair that could go onto a ramp book as a significant accomplishment diversely talented base of members, some people in the community you and it would swing,” Rawlings said. in racial justice, especially being Rawlings and YIA have fundraised live in you don’t even know [are] not “This girl couldn’t talk, could barely written by a white man. Seeing the over $200,000 for organizations like as fortunate as everyone.” see, just [wanted] to swing. That was impacts on the community, he said the Make-A-Wish Foundation and With Rawlings’ guidance, YIA like $20,000. We just wanted to make he wanted to continue to help people Operation Food Search, as well as members put in hours of work the dream come true.” ▶

14 page design by Laura Belle Crews of those people that lost Drichta said on meeting the Yazedi everything,” Drichta said. community. “A couple of the Yazedi “They’re stuck in these tents girls said they wanted to play the for over three years and they violin, so I came home and sourced jane don’t know when they’re a bunch of instruments and now we going home. Most of them have a violin program. The Seattle don’t wanna go [and don’t Symphony donated 40 recorders know] if their home is even to our program. I haven’t played still standing because their recorder since third grade, so that’s family was killed and that’s what I’ve been doing at home on horrible to go back to. Yeah, my break. I think I can play Hot that gets you down, but at Cross Buns but that’s about it. I’m drichta the same time, the people are getting there.” just lovely.” Drichta and her team recently he spends her time outside of “Everybody has a cellphone,” While Drichta is released a new motherhood care the United States aiding others Drichta said. “It would be like if working internationally, her husband, model that combines love-based for the majority of the year, ISIS marched into Kirkwood and Walter Patterson, remains in Seattle. maternity care with psychodynamic S started just killing people; it’s that away from her husband and mother. Although he does get lonely when therapy to aid in traumatic She puts herself at serious risk to developed. [There were] universities, she is away for long periods at a time, healing. She mentioned the stigma help fellow women in Iraq who do and now it’s just rubble. I compare Patterson said she is doing a vital surrounding mental health, and the not receive proper maternal care. She it to WWII: there is just so much service for the world. time to bring up that issue in these is the woman who puts smiles on devastation of cities [and] of the “It doesn’t matter how scared I areas are when women are pregnant. refugee’s faces despite the frequent peoples’ livelihoods.” might be about her possibly coming “I really want people to be aware destruction of bombs and echoing Audrey Claxon, Drichta’s mother, to harm,” Patterson said. “The people of the Yazedi and what they’re going sounds of gunfire. Jane Drichta is said she does worry about her need her where she’s going.” through,” Drichta said. “ It’s my not only a mother herself, but an daughter, but loves hearing about all After swearing on her father’s mission to raise awareness to the international midwife with her own of the joy she brings to the people’s grave, Drichta made a promise that cause and these ancient people whose non-governmental organization lives overseas. Claxon said Drichta she would never have her own NGO society is completely decimated. If (NGO), with a goal to end the truly enjoys learning, and if she were due to the work and consuming time something like that happened to me, suffering of the Yazedi people. paid to attend school she would commitment. She swore she would I would just fold up and die. But they “Every minute of my life is spent go forever. not, more than once, until she met just keep going.” thinking about women, especially “She said, ‘The most joy I get is the Yazedi people and discovered women who are marginalized and that I am the first person that holds her longing to make women and PHOTO COURTESY OF women from other countries,” that baby on this earth,’” Claxon children happy. Drichta, 1987 KHS graduate, said. said of Drichta. “‘When that baby “It affected my humanity,” JANE DRICHTA “Right now I run an NGO, Global comes out, it’s me and the baby.’ She’s Motherhood Initiative (GMI). We amazing. I am very proud of her and work in refugee camps and internally I’m sure her dad would be too.” displaced persons camps outside Due to her devotion for her work, “It’s my mission to raise awareness to the cause.”

Duhok in northern Iraq.” Drichta spends around seven months Drichta formed this NGO with out of the country each year, most a partner after the Yazedi Genocide recently in Iraq with the Yazedis. in August 2014 where almost 10,000 She currently aids them in camps in Yazedis were kidnapped, killed, or northern Iraq away from the majority taken as sex slaves by the Islamic of the violence. Her favorite part State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Drichta about her work is getting to know said the Yazedi community was the people. highly developed and up to date “Once you get inside the camps with technology. it’s more just a feeling of depression

PROFESSION: MIDWIFE LOCATION: SEATTLE, WASHINGTON CLASS OF 1987

STORY BY HANNAH COHEN

ART BY CELIA BERGMAN page design by Hannah Cohen 15 WAYNE BALDWIN PHOTO BY FORMER NIPHER SCIENCE TEACHER CHRISTIAN BAKER STORY BY DANIEL KIM t the 2017 Class 4 District 2 Cross Country “I love the whole notion of schools,” Baldwin Meet, a 5-foot-10 man in his 60s with a said. “I love the school schedule, and I love doing Agray beard and tanned skin awaits as herds school work. You come into any school, and it has of cross country runners pass by. He sports cargo positive vibes. Any school I’ve been too, any school shorts and a red, polyester tank-top with “Kirkwood in KSD, any school I’ve been associated with, there Cross Country” written across it. He hustles is this positive energy.” alongside the race course with the KHS varsity Growing up, teaching was something Baldwin runners. When a KHS runner takes the lead, Wayne said he took for granted. Baldwin said teachers Baldwin waves his tattooed arms in excitement. have played a big part when he was a teenager. On Oct. 21, the KHS varsity cross country team But Baldwin didn’t consider education a career placed third at Washington, Mo. This placed the opportunity, much less that he would pursue team to be one of 16 Missouri schools running at teaching for 44 years. Instead of students raising the MSHAA State Championship Meet. their hands, shouting “Mr. Baldwin,” he imagined “We still have to run like somebody is chasing patients calling for “Dr. Baldwin.” us,” Baldwin, KHS cross country coach, said. “The “Because I was smart and loved science, my minute you think you got this in the bag, you are mother believed that I had to be a doctor,” Baldwin going to be run downed. That’s how cross country said. “She held doctors in very high esteem. She works. Each week, you got to step up on the line, was over the top about it. So I went along with my gun sounds, you have to run hard as you can.” mother’s dream.” Baldwin majored in biology at Truman State University, known “I looked him as Northeast Missouri State when he attended. He took the Medical College Admission Test, and applied dead in his to medical schools. Baldwin then found himself in sitting in a room with doctors interviewing for the eyes and said, University of Missouri School of Medicine. “I got all the way to the end of ‘I want to be a the interview, everything going fantastic, and he asked the question, ‘Why do you want to be a doctor?’” teacher.’” Baldwin said. “I looked him dead in Sean McCarthy, English teacher, first coached his eyes and said, ‘I don’t. I want to be a teacher.’ track with Baldwin in 1999. Then, in 2006, Baldwin That was it. I didn’t walk away from the interview, invited McCarthy to be the assistant cross country saying, ‘Oh man, I just screwed myself over,’ coach, a job he kept until 2016. because I meant it.” “He has built this program, and it’s amazing,” Baldwin said his mother was not happy about McCarthy said. “It’s all because Coach Baldwin is his decision. But in 44 years of teaching, Baldwin passionate about what he does, and invests himself does not have any regrets. Throughout different totally in it.” generations, Baldwin said he is happy to have a Baldwin started to coach cross country in 1982. lasting impact on students’ life. Josh Robertson, He also coaches track during spring. When he is senior and captain of the boys’ cross country not on the track or Kirkwood Park, Baldwin often team, believes he has. substitutes. In fact, Baldwin has been a part of KSD “Half of the things I’ve learned from high since 1976, when he started teaching science at school is from Baldwin,” Robertson said. “I feel like Nipher Middle School. I wouldn’t be a half of a person as I am right now “I considered myself incredibly fortunate to without this sport and coach being close to me.” secure a job at Nipher after three years of teaching Even though Baldwin turned 65 this year, he has experience,” Baldwin said. “I wasn’t interested in no plans to walk away from cross country anytime being a principal or counselor. It was never on my soon. Baldwin is fit. He runs or bikes daily, and his radar. I had a teaching job, and I was going to do it passion for the sport is stronger than ever. to the best of my ability.” “Whatever I had to put in, [the 35 years of Though he retired from teaching at Nipher in coaching cross country] was worth it, no doubt,” 2011, Baldwin said he continues to be involved in Baldwin said. “[It was worth it] because I grew as a the district. He has no plans to walk away from human being, and I got to interact with thousands what he loves anytime soon. of human beings came out of the experience better.” ▶

16 page design by Daniel Kim STORY BY JONATHAN MUNROE PHOTO ANTHONY SPEECH

or some KHS teachers, faculty Ravenscraft, KHS executive secretary, their mothers are always there to give great, but when I was in school my means friendship. But for four staff also got her start working in the advice, relay information and can friends benefited because I always had Fmembers, faculty means family. school’s typing pool. always lend a few dollars for a vending to get to school early,” Lucas said. Katie Hall, math teacher and 1999 “When my son was in high school machine snack when needed. “My friends would always go in to KHS graduate, and Lucas Ravenscraft, I knew everything that was going on “I can get answers outside of the try to get a pass from my mom when social studies teacher and 2003 KHS with his teachers, classes and friends,” school day when she comes over to they were late to avoid tardies.” graduate, both have mothers who work Jackie said. “I think he liked it in high see her grandkids,” Hall said. “She These two relationships between in the main office, Mary Dahlem and school because if he needed money can also easily find me if she needs mother and child make KHS seem Jackie something done more family oriented to these faculty Ravenscraft. and can constantly members. Hall and Lucas both know “It is “When I see her it nag me.” that whenever they need something or wonderful Lucas uses his someone to talk to they both have a to work good relationship parent in the building who will offer with [Hall],” makes my day.” with Jackie to get a helping hand. Dahlem said. information from “You are both a part of the same “When I see the office during stories that are happening,” Dahlem her it makes my day. When you have adult for something or forgot a check he the school day such as different said. “You have more interesting children you rarely get to see them, but could always come down and get it scheduling and fire alarm drills. conversations and share the same since we work in the same building, I can from me.” Since his days in high school, he and history that is a place bigger than always help her out.” Both Hall and Lucas agree his friends both knew the benefit of your family.” ▶ Mary Dahlem, main office secretary, working in the same building as having his mother in the main office. has been working at KHS since 1999 their mothers is a key aspect in their “I always saw it as a benefit starting in the typing pool. Jackie relationships. They both know that because my mom and I get along THE FAMILY IN OUR FACULTY Lucas Ravenscraft and Jackie Ravenscraft Katie Hall and Mary Dahlem

LUCAS RAVENSCRAFT AND KATIE HALL AND MARY DAHLEM JACKIE RAVENSCRAFT

KATIE HALL LUCAS RAVENSCRAFT PROFESSION: MATH TEACHER PROFESSION: SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER LOCATION: KIRKWOOD, MO. LOCATION: KIRKWOOD, MO. CLASS OF 1999 CLASS OF 2003

page design by Jonathan Munroe 17 WHERE ARE THEY NOW? THEY NEVER LEFT

Eighteen KHS staff members drive to school, eat lunch, walk in and out of classrooms, and chat with their coworkers daily. After the bell rings, they go home, grade papers, talk to their families and go to sleep. They wake up to their 5 AM alarms, they drink coffee and get ready for the day. They have followed this same daily routine, in the same place, since they were freshmen in high school. Eighteen KHS graduates are now counselors, secretaries and teachers at the same school they once attended. ▶

STORY BY AUDREY ALLISON, GRACE KLEBE AND MAISIE BRADLEY

PHOTO BY MARY RALSTON, AUDREY BERNS AND VANESSA GONZALEZ

VALERIE TREICHEL AMY BARKER 1988 LYNN KAVANAUGH 1975 1989 “One of the things that makes Kirkwood stand out is you really do “I worked at University City High “I don’t see a lot of differences have a commitment to the academics [here], I really enjoy that part School for three years [before [between now and when I wenthere] of it. I also think that we’re just very proud of who we are. Some working at KHS]. It’s just a different in the sense of community feel of people are like ‘Oh yeah, I’m from St. Louis.’ We don’t say that. We population [and has] different issues. tradition. In fact, that’s why I made say ‘We’re from Kirkwood,’ [and] I think that does make us stand A lot of kids there are on free and sure we moved back [from Kansas out. You do have faculty that stay here a long time because we reduced lunch. The socioeconomics City] in time for my kids to go to high believe in the school. I think of it as my school.” are totally different.” school. I wanted them to have that experience.”

KATIE MEYERS 1988 JULIE CONSTANT “I’m about to have my 30th reunion, so I’m feeling very nos- 1980 CAROLYN FOGARTY talgic for all the things that we did. In some ways, I feel like it hasn’t changed at all, but in other ways I feel like it has changed “I have fond memories of being 1991 a lot. I feel like people are more accepting. I had Franklin [a KSD student] all the way “My favorite thing about Kirkwood is McCallie as a principal, and we always talked about issues like from Keysor on up. I have great the awesome traditions. Turkey Day, pep race, and we are still talking about that today but I feel like we feelings with my children having rallies, and Turkey Day hallways, all of are also talking about other social justice issues. The Gay- been here from Keysor on up that that I have seen. I still remember all Straight Alliance was not around when I was a student here, being here and now I’m still here of mine, so all of those traditions that we and obviously it is very well established now, and I know they and my grandchildren are here. had, we still have. That’s the fun part of are trying to get some groups together for helping students We’re still here.” working here, the community piece.” with mental health. I feel like as time has gone on we are more open to discussing those issues that are really important to stu- dents and families, so I’m thrilled that that is happening.” JULIE JOHNSON 1986 “There used to be a smoking area. Our head principals have the same offices that Dr. Havener has now. The Keating center wasn’t there. The science building obviously wasn’t there. Seniors could go out to lunch then, that is the same. I think the school spirit was pretty much the same except for the Turkey Day halls. When I went here, every hall was decorated. The cheerleaders had their own hall, the pommies had their own hall, along with all the different clubs. Now you go through and there are just four halls. Every single hall was decorated.”

18 page design by Grace Klebe, Audrey Allison and Maisie Bradley KATIE HALL 1999 MATT KRAPFL 2005 “I feel like I know the school better [now]. I was new to KSD [when I attend- “When I was a student [I didn’t think I would work ed KHS]. Everything was knew and different for me here. I didn’t know very here] but when the opportunity [to work at KHS] many students, I didn’t know any of the teachers and a lot of my classmates opened up I figured ‘Why not?’ I enjoyed my time had already known each other and knew of certain teachers and coaches here, and I thought it would be a great place to work here that I didn’t have any knowledge of. Being a teacher up here, I now as well. [In high school] I wanted to play football as better understand our whole big campus, programs and educational system.” far as I could and then I wanted to be a coach. I’ve always wanted to be a football coach.”

CECI BODET WILLIE PARKS 1992 2008 “I try to help some of the kids COLLEEN RULL 1996 “Never, ever did I think I was going to [from Meacham Park]. I grew up “Oh my gosh I never [thought I come back here. I honestly didn’t like in Meacham Park so I try to get a would come back as a teacher]. I high school very much. I liked KHS, lot of those kids [from there] on didn’t even think that I wanted to but all the drama was not really my track and let them know that there be a teacher, I wanted to be a small thing. Now that I’m able to come back is that chance, that possibility of animal veterinarian. I came back and help kids through that stuff is cool, you actually making it, getting a because there was a job opening, and but I never even wanted to come back scholarship, going to college [and] I loved going to school here and I to St. Louis.” getting an education.” loved growing up in this community. It felt like coming back home. I dived into the opportunity.”

MATHEW WATKINS BEN WOOLF 2001 2004 “The science building, the new gym, the new weight room, “It’s funny working with teachers the new football field, the who were my teachers or prin- LUCAS RAVENSCRAFt new stadium, the pool, all the cipals who were teachers when I 2003 was here and [are] now principals. upgrades [since I was a student [I see] people in different roles here] have been great.” “There’s a level of comfort that I [and] things behind the scenes. have here just having been around [Working with former teachers,] this community. I feel like I can you to get to know people on a understand the students very different level and [have a] differ- well having come from the same ent relationship.” SARAH KLEVORN 2009 background. I like that comfort. It’s a little bit odd being like ‘OK, I’m “I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, back here again’ everyday but it’s also even when I was a little bitty, bitty girl. We kind of nice too.” would play school with friends and I always DAN WOJTOW 1992 wanted to be the teacher. Then when I was in fifth grade, I started violin and [in] sixth, “I transferred to Parkway South after seventh and eighth grade I had a pretty strong my freshman year. It was pretty similar feeling [that music and teaching] are my two for the most part, [Parkway South] is passions. I started teaching [music] lessons to one big building rather than many dif- little kids when I was a high school student ferent buildings. The schools are pretty and to give back to the community and also similar [in atmosphere], I don’t think it to build a mentor-type relationship with a was too different. I still hung out with younger student [was so fulfilling]. There are a lot of my Kirkwood friends, I was moments in your life where you feel like the just one district away. I had two groups plan has already been made for you and your of friends, I had my Parkway South walking it. It was always my dream to come friends and my Kirkwood friends.” back and teach here.”

19 H.L. HALL & KATIE MEYERS: STORY BY CAMILLE BAKER

PHOTO BY AUDREY BERNS FIRST AMENDMENT FOLLOWERS

er curled blonde hair bobbing was a really interesting time to be [a needed to know what they were Hall, along with TKC’s editors, as she walks down the English student journalist].” doing.” made the decision to accept and Hhall carrying stacks of graded Along with Hall, who served According to Hall, his presence print a Planned Parenthood ad in papers, Katie Meyers hums a song as the KHS journalism adviser in the journalism building not August 1990. According to McCallie, that has stuck with her for more from 1973 to 1999, Meyers said she only shifted the attitude of the a “tremendous” amount of people than 29 years. ‘I’m alive, awake, relied on KHS administrators and publication, but he also changed deemed the ad unfit for a school alert, enthusiastic,’ she repeats, the First Amendment to support the values of his students. He said newspaper, sparking controversy reminiscing on the jingle her high her reporting. With a TKC staff of that prior to his arrival, TKC was in the halls of KHS and in the school journalism adviser, H.L. Hall, around 25, Editor-in-Chief Meyers notorious for making up quotes, Kirkwood community. once sang to his students every day. pushed for accurate journalism, creating problems within KSD and “[Those who disapproved A song that kept students positive of the ad] made it an abortion in 1988 through the turmoil of issue, but that wasn’t an issue for the Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier court “I’m alive, awake, the staff,” McCallie said. “The case and again in 1990 during student staff made it an issue of the controversy over a Planned whether or not they had the right Parenthood advertisement. A song alert, enthusiastic.” as student journalists to accept that Hall left as a reminder for an advertisement from a legal students to embrace their rights as keeping her adviser’s emphasis on the Board of Education. organization, and they decided journalists and to be enthusiastic journalistic integrity in mind. “When I [started teaching at] they did. That’s what I supported. while doing so. “[The First Amendment] is what KHS I was unwelcome,” Hall said. “I I supported the students and H.L. “Thinking back, I feel like my journalism is all about,” Hall said. came from [advising the newspaper Hall all of that year. There was life has been punctuated by two of “I always put the word ‘responsible’ at] NKMS, and the department chair a tremendous hullabaloo [and] the supreme court cases related to in front of freedom of speech [and] came up to me the very first day and arguments but some people said journalism,” Meyers, KHS English freedom of expression. That means said ‘We do not like your predecessor it was the greatest year for student teacher and 1988 KHS graduate, said. accuracy. I trusted [my students] and and we see absolutely no reason why rights and student press that they’ve “I was born the year of Tinker v. Des they trusted me. That’s a relationship we should like you.’ I had never ever seen at Kirkwood or throughout Moines, and I was editor-in-chief that had to be there. The accuracy, even met [her] before. I did not have the country. It was wonderful [and] a of [TKC] the year of [Hazelwood fairness and integrity [in student an easy time to begin with. It took great stand.” School District v. Kuhlmeier] so it journalism] is so important. They a while to convince everyone that Though he retired from his my students were going to report position as adviser in 1999, Hall fairly and accurately and that if furthered his support and passion they did make a mistake they would for journalism as Journalism correct it.” Education Association (JEA) Despite the rough transition, president until his term expired. His the lessons Hall introduced have 50th and last JEA convention was stayed within KHS’s journalism in fall of 2014, but the association department, according to Meyers. continues to honor him by labeling She said his positivity throughout the yearbook adviser of the year his tenure was what gave her and her award in his name. Now, Hall splits peers the motivation to continue his time between playing tennis, reporting and to take advantage writing in the daily journal he began of the administrative support her in 1960 when he married his wife staff received. While other schools and evaluating student yearbooks faced constant censorship in their and newspapers. Since starting in publications, former KHS Principal 1975, he has judged close to 6,000 Franklin McCallie stood behind publications, he said. He added TKC’s rights. that journalism changed his life “We were aware of what was completely, and that he could not going on [during Hazelwood v. imagine his everyday life without it. Kuhlmeier], but it was so different “I’m alive, awake, alert, [at KHS],” Meyers said. “We had enthusiastic,” Hall said, [an] administration that was so remembering the chant he once supportive with Franklin McCallie. sang to his students every day. “I He loved the media. He always went into the service in 1961 and thought the best way to quell a they made me public information rumor is to print it, get it out there officer, which put me in charge of and talk about it. He had an open- the unit newspaper. That’s when the H.L. HALL door policy with us and expected journalism started for me. That’s LOCATION: NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE everyone else in the community [to] when I caught the bug. And the bug support our student publications.” is still there.” ▶

20 page design by Camille Baker H.L. HALL & KATIE MEYERS: FIRST AMENDMENT FOLLOWERS

PROFESSION: ENGLISH TEACHER LOCATION: KIRKWOOD, MISSOURI CLASS OF 1988 21 relationship taught her that you can be with someone through the hard times and remain together even with the distance if you really love that person. Through all the changes in life, you can still remain with that one person you love, she said. Since Brent and Dana went through major life changes together, they both said they feel that their relationship is still similar to how it was in high school. “I think since our lives evolved throughout maturing from high school kids to college kids to getting a job and getting married, we’ve evolved together so completely, yet slowly,” Brent said. “We’ve gone through the whole process. I can’t pick one thing that is different [from our relationship in high school] because we’ve experienced everything together. It’s hard to say there’s a contrast because we grew through all of that.” One difference between high school relationships in the late 80s and now is the influence of social media, according to Dana and Brent. Brent said the core of a high school relationship is exactly the same, but instead of going on one-on-one dates, LOCATION:KIRKWOOD, MISSOURI couples often hang out in groups. Dana said they would go on dates CLASS OF 1990 AND 1991 just the two of them to the movies and out to dinner. The reason for this PHOTO COURTESY OF DANA SUTTER change is accessibility. ART ERIN BUGEE “It’s easier to assemble a group because of Snapchat [and other social media],” Brent said. “We would have had to get on the phone and dial 20 different phone numbers.” BRENT AND Brent and Dana said they did not think about marriage until college. They suggest others do the same, to take things slow and not think too far DANA SUTTER ahead while still high schoolers. “Date someone you can be good STORY BY minutes away, Dana attended Texas together, and I’m surprised they’ve friends with, someone who’s your ABBY GEISZ Christian University in Fort Worth. been together since high school,” best friend,” Dana said. “Have fun “In a sense we grew up together as Sydney said. “They always talk about and be goofy. Don’t get too serious. rent did not know that he opposed to people who started dating was asking his future wife to after college,” Brent said. “They’ve Bbreakfast on that day in 1989. already matured and grew up.” I wasn’t thinking He just asked if she wanted to join According to Brent and Dana, “ him and his friends at Hardee’s their favorite high school memories during first hour independent period. include Turkey Day week, Pioneer about marriage at She said yes, and Brent and Dana and TKC late nights and, of course Sutter have been together ever since. sitting with each other in the library all, I was thinking “Our first real date was Friendship during independent period. When Dance,” Dana said. “He asked me by Brent and Dana were on publication calling me on the phone and asking staffs, late nights would be on Friday ‘Oh maybe we’ll go to me. He didn’t come over with a sign nights and they would stay as late with a pun or Chick-fil-a.” as they could, often leaving around prom together.’” Brent and Dana started dating 2 a.m. According to Sydney Sutter, their senior and junior year, sophomore and Brent and Dana’s respectively, and dated a total of six daughter, Brent and a friend rented a high school stories, and it’s weird In high school, when we were dating, and one half years before tying the U-Haul truck, turned the inside into because I look around at people I wasn’t thinking about marriage at knot in 1996. Brent, after graduating a living room and took their dates to that I know and don’t want to think all. I was thinking ‘Oh maybe we’ll go KHS in 1990, attended Southern Friendship dance in it. about marriage.” to prom together.’” ▶ Methodist University in Dallas. Forty “I think they’ve been really good Sydney said her parents’

22 page design by Abby Geisz two years in Swaziland in Terrell’s friend and former design southern Africa. Terrell editor of TKC, Jordan Crean still BLYTHE TERRELL said Swaziland has about 1 keeps in touch with Terrell today. million people, but it has the highest They began traveling together to PROFESSION: PODCAST EDITOR prevalence of HIV in the world, which journalism conventions in high LOCATION: BROOKLYN, NEW YORK means about 26 percent of adults school, and they have continued to CLASS OF 2001 there are HIV positive. travel across continents to visit each spacecrafts. Also, National Public “[In the Peace Corps], I was other and explore places like Thailand Radio featured Terrell for using data ophomore Blythe Terrell a community health educator and Africa. Like Crean, Rockel said to calculate her ideal NFL team to proudly walks down KHS and I worked with women in the she is very proud of everything Terrell replace the St. Louis Rams. hallways to her journalism community to help them train,” has accomplished and is not surprised S Terrell credits TKC for being the Terrell said. “Also, there was a middle that she has done so well. class, knowing that everything that push that really sparked her interest will happen in her future starts here. school girls empowerment group, so I “Blythe’s just a very unique person in journalism. The day she started on Fast forward 16 years and Terrell, helped them understand their bodies who does her own thing and goes staff was the day she really decided and we talked to them about all kinds where the wind takes her,” Rockel what she wanted of issues that teenage girls deal with.” said. “I think she’s gotten every job “i got into to do with her After Terrell came back from she’s ever applied for because people life. She was Africa, she worked as a writer and can just tell when they meet her that not only an editor for Partners in Health, a non- she’s extremely intelligent, responsible journalism editorial writer, profit organization in Boston, before and she gives you the impression that but also was the a friend and colleague attracted her she is someone who is trustworthy.” because of the editor-in-chief back to journalism. They told Terrell Rockel and Crean both said her senior year. they were looking for a copy editor Terrell’s intelligence and ability to realization that “I really at FiveThirtyEight and Terrell was build positive relationships with don’t think interested in the data journalism others has made her successful. there was FiveThirtyEight was doing, so she Rockel said people feel so comfortable journalists a bigger decided to take the job. From there talking to Terrell, and they feel they influence on she moved into her current position can confide in her. get to ask my professional at Gimlet Media. Terrell said she can’t overstate the life than my “I think I’m proudest of the impact working with others on TKC people whatever experience on fact that I’ve been able to have all has had on her life and career. TKC,” Terrell these diverse experiences in my “It’s so easy to feel alone and said. “It really career,” Terrell said. “I’ve worked at forgotten in high school,” Terrell said. questions they launched me newspapers and I’ve worked in the “I would really encourage people to into what I public health world a little bit, and support each other because it’s a big want.” would study I’ve been fortunate to do all of these world out here, and we need all the in college and different things.” support we can get from everyone what I would KHS graduate of 2001, has traveled around us.” ▶ end up having a career in.” from Kirkwood to Texas to Africa to Terrell shared her passion for New York, working as a newspaper journalism with her younger sister, reporter, Peace Corps member and Morgen Rockel, KHS graduate of currently a science podcast editor at 2003, who was also a TKC writer. Gimlet Media in Brooklyn, NY. Even though there were some “I got into journalism because of challenges with having a sister for an the realization that journalists get to editor, Rockel liked that she could ask people whatever questions they always receive honest feedback from want and [have] the ability to be a Terrell. curious person in the world for a “Blythe treated me professionally, living, and to help people understand even though I was her sister,” Rockel the world around them,” Terrell said. said. “She was very mature for her Prior to working at Gimlet Media, age and she did a really good job of Terrell was senior editor for science separating family and the work we did and health at FiveThirtyEight, an on TKC.” online media company that centers After high school, Terrell studied around opinion poll analysis, journalism at the University of politics, economics and sports. In this Missouri-Columbia and from there position, Terrell moderated online she went into the newspaper industry. chats on topics like “Does It Matter She was a copy editor at the Austin That Senate Republicans Wrote Their American Statesman in Austin, Texas, Health Care Bill In Secret?” She and then she was a reporter and also contributed to a feature called the city editor at a small newspaper “Significant Digits,” which featured in Steamboat Springs, CO. From statistics in the news, such as the there, she decided that she may not number of food poisoning recalls and want to pursue journalism anymore, the number of successful Mars-bound so she went back to school to get her master’s degree in science and STORY BY MADDIE public health at Johns Hopkins MEYERS University in Baltimore. Then she ART ERIN BUGEE went into the Peace Corps and spent

page design by Maddie Meyers 23 STORY BY MELANIE WITT PHOTO COURTESY OF RICHIE FROHLICHSTEIN ART BY AUDREY ALLISON

RICHIE FROHLICHSTEIN eturning home from PROFESSION: LAWYER knew I would finish president and President Obama, for Georgetown University for college. It was such an me, was such an example of how there winter break after his first LOCATION: YALE UNIVERSITY exciting opportunity really are people in public service R to get involved who are trying to make a positive semester of freshman year, Richie CLASS OF 2007 Frohlichstein, 2007 KHS graduate, in community difference for the community and the was in the Page Program for the state decided to stop by world history organizing in such a tangible way.” country,” Richie said. “It’s exciting to Senate in which high schoolers work teacher Tim Harig’s annual Boxing Richie went to work as an Field get to meet somebody like that. He’s as legislative assistants. Day party. There he met KHS Organizer in North Carolina where a tremendous role model for young “[Richie] is very good at talking alumnus, Lori White whose sister, he worked to help turn out additional people wanting to be involved in to people and getting what he wants Meredith White, was working at the voters and excite the community community service.” from them,” Johnny said. “He never Iowa presidential caucus. Meredith about senator Obama. Returning to After college, Richie returned has the intention of trying to get invited Richie to volunteer with her college, he stayed involved with the to the Obama re-elect campaign, something out of people, he’s just and he accepted. Richie, along with community in DC and politics. Later, working in the Chicago headquarters. naturally well-liked and good at some KHS seniors, knocked on doors Richie had the opportunity to intern He was on a team to figure out communicating his experiences in a in Iowa for a few days canvassing how to interact with donors. When way that makes for Senator Barack Obama. This was Obama was re-elected, Richie them sound when Richie realized he wanted to be returned to Washington DC. He impressive and part of a campaign. “i figured just worked first in the U.S. small business interesting. “I figured [that] just because administration, the agency assigned He’s done a lot I’m 19 doesn’t mean I can’t make a to making sure small businesses have of cool things because I’m 19 difference,” Richie said. “When an the support they need to thrive from and he’s very exciting opportunity comes along and the government. Then Richie worked effective in you get butterflies in your stomach doesn’t mean I as a legal assistant in the office of communicating [and have] the chance to make a the White House council for a year [them].” difference, do it. I think what stops can’t make a and a half. His job was to make sure After us isn’t the lack of opportunity, it’s the president had legal advice on realizing his the lack of willingness to set aside everything that came before him. interest in difference.” previous plans. Sometimes you just After spending a year and a half politics, Richie have to take a chance. If you’re doing in the White House, Richie enrolled was hired to work for Governor Jay something you believe in, it’s going to in the White House as a part of the in Yale University in 2015. He will Nixon’s campaign. So Richie took a work out.” legislative affairs office. He worked on graduate this May with a law degree. leave of absence from college to work In high school, Richie volunteered projects dealing with how the White While he is still unsure of what type for the Nixon campaign. A month in, for local campaigns as a doorknocker. House interacts with Capitol Hill. of law he will pursue, he is thinking Nixon was doing well in Missouri and According to Johnny Frohlichstein, While Johnny’s career, a about returning to working in a local the opportunity arose for Richie to 2009 KHS graduate and Richie’s management consultant, is not government setting. go work as a campaign staffer for the brother, Richie was well-liked in involved in politics, he was able “I still feel a really strong tie to Obama campaign in North Carolina. high school and was very politically to come visit Richie at the White Kirkwood and to my home, and so “It felt like 2008 and the Obama involved. Harig described Richie House a few times. Johnny said he one of the things I’m thinking about campaign was this really exciting as a student that was interested in got an Oval Office tour, went to is a way I can come back and get moment and this really exciting more than earning a grade and the 2011 White House World Series involved in the local community,” opportunity for young people to was passionate about learning. Celebration and the 4th of July White Richie said. “I think the really strong make it clear that we have a role to Throughout high school, Richie was House party. Through the internship, community values of helping each play in the direction our country a member of TKC, Mock Trial and Richie and Johnny were able to meet other out and being proud of where is going,” Richie said. “It never felt Youth in Government. Junior year, he President Obama. you’re from is an important thing to like I was leaving college because I “I think it’s an honor to meet any carry along.” ▶ 24 page design by Melanie Witt MIKE MCGILL

STORY BY IZZY COLON

ART BY BRIDGET KILLIAN

PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE MCGILL

PROFESSION: URBAN CITY PLANNER LOCATION: ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA CLASS OF 1961

fter graduating from KHS in 1961, Mike located in an interesting place? Is there a component McGill did not have a plan. After KHS, Mike of social responsibility to the work? Is it intellectual- “He would ride set out to learn, not just to get his education, ly stimulating? and does it pay a reasonable amount Abut to find what he wanted to do with his life. Mike of money?” the bus to work was unaware of the influential path his life would After college, Mike worked as a foreign service of- take before his retirement in Virginia. ficer, but two years into the job he said it was not as He knew for a start that he wanted to get a interesting as he had thought it would be. He sought every day and college education, and decided to major in business out a new job and began working for and continue exploring his options. He attended Marshall Kaplan, Gans & Kahn, an urban planning the people on Northwestern University for one year before and consulting firm. transferring to the University of Kansas. “I discovered, to my delight, how exciting and the bus would “When I went to college I wasn’t exactly sure stimulating urban policy and urban problem solving what I wanted to do,” Mike said. “I had an ulterior could be,” Mike said. “So essentially for the rest motive for majoring in business. At the University of my life, in one way or another, I worked on refer to him as of Kansas, I could avoid taking a foreign language advocating solutions for urban problems.” and take a minimum amount of courses in math and Kerry McGill, Mike’s brother, said even as Mike ‘the man with science. I had the maximum flexibility to take the worked in San Francisco for San Francisco courses I liked.” Planning and Urban Research Association, a According to Mike, throughout his life he did non-profit citizen-business coalition, he never truly the big book.’” stopped his education. Jeff Parsonage, KHS class- not have a specific plan, but instead focused on to an end,” McGill said. “We clicked again and got mate and friend of Mike, said his drive and education regarding various topics until he found married in 1993.” determination for learning throughout his career is what he wanted to do. Mike’s exploration of political Despite Mike living and retiring outside of his most admirable quality. science prompted him to attend The University of Kirkwood for his adult life, Parsonage said McGill “He would ride the bus to work every day and Texas on a University fellowship, a merit-based award was able to maintain several lifelong friendships with the people on the bus would refer to him as ‘the man which supports a student’s education, after receiving classmates from KHS. Parsonage said he feels no with the big book’.” Kerry said. “He always had some his bachelor’s degree in business. After this long matter where someone moves they still have elements sort of biography, history or non-fiction book he process of exploration, Mike earned a master’s degree of “home” all around them. He said Mike was no was reading.” in political science. exception. Although Mike has not lived in Kirkwood since “When I was growing up, I was always intimidated “[Growing up] Mike lived in the house in the graduating from KHS, he still managed to make it to by the examples of ‘great men’ who would say things middle of the cul-de-sac,” Parsonage said. “The house the 30-year reunion in 1991 where he was like ‘I knew from the time I was a teenager what that Mike and Mary [later] bought is very much like reintroduced to Mary Marsalek, his high school I wanted to do and I did it,” Mike said. “I [told] the house in that neighborhood two blocks south sweetheart. myself that as I go through life and look at job of [KHS]. What strikes me about life and people’s “Both of our marriages [at the time] were coming opportunities I’m going to apply four criteria: Is it behavior is that everybody goes home in a sense.” ▶

page design by Izzy Colon 25

▶ DREW REDINGTON: FROM BASEMENT STEPS

retending to be each of the STORY BY Von Trapp children, 4-year- ANNIE O’BRIEN Pold Drew Redington acts out and sings “So Long, Farewell” PHOTOS COURTESY OF DREW from “The Sound of Music” on the steps of his grandmother’s AND JULIE REDINGTON basement. His mother and grandmother sit watching, used Carolina. He planned to get his to the routine of these frequent degree, graduate and move to New basement performances. York City to hopefully get a job at “That’s when we knew that a theater. However, his plan was [theater] was what he was passionate cut short when he auditioned for about,” Julie Redington, Drew’s “Holiday Inn” on Broadway during mother, said. “It wasn’t until he his sophomore year of college. was in middle school that I came “It was something I always to realize as a parent that he had wanted to do, and I couldn’t believe the drive and talent to put all that that I actually was going to do it,” together and actually make it.” Drew said. “I was emailed the offer, Drew graduated from KHS in and I remember after that I probably I didn’t know what else to do 2015 and went to study musical walked around my college campus with myself.” theater at Elon University in North four or five times just because After a four-month audition PROFESSION: ACTOR process, Drew was cast in the ensemble of “Holiday Inn” at the LOCATION: NEW YORK Roundabout Theatre Company and moved to New York City. He CITY said working on Broadway was one of the best experiences in the CLASS OF 2015 world, especially since theater has been part of his life since he was very young. “You are surrounded by so many Schnider said. “When it came to different types of people who come theater, he was never satisfied with from different backgrounds and the ‘good enough.’ He always had best part about doing theater is no something else to do because he one’s journey is the same,” Drew loved it so much.” said. “It’s one of the nicest and And according to Drew, he could most welcoming communities you never see himself in any other career. could ever be a part of. We were our Theater has always been a part of his own family.” life, and he plans to keep it that way. When he first came to KHS, He knew, and his parents did as well, Kelly Schnider, drama teacher, said that Broadway was the best place Drew was a “pipsqueak freshman.” for a boy who spent his childhood Over the course of his four years singing on the steps of his in high school he played a variety grandmother’s basement. of roles from Lieutenant Cable “I cried,” Julie said. “I just had in “South Pacific” to Patsy in this huge sense of pride, and it “Spamalot.” Schnider said it was wasn’t just excitement. We could see incredible to watch him grow as a all of the work and dedication he performer and a person. put into it and we knew it wasn’t “He was always searching to a fluke. He was really going to be stretch himself in all these roles,” a success.” ▶ TO BROADWAY STAGE

26 page design by Annie O’Brien kevin renick

profession: musician location: st. louis, missouri class of 1975

story by jack rittendale

art by cate mccandles

photo courtesy of kevin renick

evin Renick, class of 1975 the Air” that the two reconnected and until Kevin got the movie deal that got to know him over the last three graduate and former journalist, have stayed side-by-side playing music we got back together,” Moniak said. years when I saw on Facebook he Ksits at home plucking away on ever since. “They wanted him to go to Japan, was looking for folks to help guide the strings of his guitar. With his love “Of course the movie deal [had] a but he wouldn’t go without another his career.” of music and close friends, he spends big influence on my life,” Renick said. musician. He asked me what I was Corno said nowadays, Renick is his days doing what he enjoys most. “I had just happened to write a song doing and we went.” thinking bigger than he used to. He But Renick said he never expected with the same title as the movie ‘Up And just like that, Renick’s has been trying to take his career to to go into music. After graduating, in the Air,’ and David Reitman, the song was on the big screen. Though the next level with things like bigger he studied journalism and creative director of the film, was at Webster nowadays he stays around St. Louis venues and a bigger audience. But writing at Webster University. It was University giving a lecture. I asked performing at venues like The he credits it to the place where he there that Kevin Renick met his him if I could give him a cassette Sheldon and Delmar Hall, he said he grew up. long time band member and current “[KHS] encourages students to roommate Ted Moniak. pursue the arts,” Corno said. “It’s Moniak and Renick have been “his commitment an environment conducive to do all friends ever since. Even though types of creative fields there.” lots of time has passed since their According to Corno, Renick is college days, Moniak said not much to music is still now approaching his craft in a more has changed. intense, focused and personal way. He “Kevin is still the same Kirkwood really strong.” is realizing this is the time to push his guy he’s always been,” Moniak said. career forward in the music industry, “Although he’s been through the loves his job more than before. And and to go to the next level. But no wringer with things like job layoffs of my song. He liked that I was old even more so, he said he still loves matter where he goes, he will always and housing, his commitment to school and had nerve, so he used it in KHS and has fond memories of the hold ties to the city where he grew up. music is still really strong.” the closing credits of the movie.” people he has met along the way. “I really loved growing up in Moniak said the two make more Moniak said the violin business One of those people is Ed Corno, Kirkwood,” Renick said. “I had good music now than they ever did. After in Seattle was not doing very well. But his current music advisor. Renick friends, and I feel like the small college, they went their separate ways. it just so happened that the violin and Corno met in the fourth grade intimate nature of Kirkwood was Renick stayed in town writing and shop, Top Notch Strings, in St. Louis at Keysor elementary school. While a big influence on how I approach making music while Moniak went off was hiring. Moniak moved in with Corno said they were not best friends, things. I feel like small town life and to Seattle, Washington to continue his Renick, and before they knew it, they they ended up being closer than ever my friends ended up shaping my taste career in the field of classical music. It were back creating music. before today. in music.” ▶ was not until Renick got his song into “We stayed in touch as much as “We were friends but not really the George Clooney movie “Up in we could over the years. But it wasn’t good friends,” Corno said. “I really

page design by Jack Rittendale 27 oday, she performs due to Nikki’s mature content in her all over the world and comedy. Tmakes thousands laugh “It’s hard, especially being a on stage and through TV teacher. [I] want to be like, ‘You guys appearances. She has seen should check out my sister,’ and [I’m] success on a global scale. But so proud of her and you want to before she was a star, Nikki share it with everyone but the content Glaser was a student at KHS. sometimes is a little inappropriate While at KHS, Glaser said for high school,” Green said. “Even she made many special bonds my parents have a hard time going with her teachers, notably to her shows, they just have to cringe her French teacher, Madame sometimes at some of the things she Kalfus. She remembers says.” hanging out with friends in Green receives support from her the library and was involved sister as well. Nikki credits her sister in French Club, A Capella with helping her stay connected to and multiple KH Players KHS through her. productions. It was during “I love that my sister works at her performances at KHS KHS,” Glaser said. “I’m so proud that she formed a passion of her for being a teacher there and for comedy, in particular a I know it’s very hard, and she’s very performance in the Black good at it. I’m very proud.” Box theater as a drunk Green also has a hard time with woman. the fact that her sister is now a “My drama teacher was celebrity. She said she is starstruck very adamant about how when she sees Glaser on TV or I was good at comedy and when she gets sent pictures from how I was a good comedic Glaser’s famous friends, such as Amy actress,” Glaser said. “That’s Schumer and Jennifer Lawrence. when I started thinking “It’s really interesting because I about [a career in] comedy.” don’t think of her as famous when Once she graduated KHS, we’re talking one on one,” Green she attended the University said. “But when I see how other of Colorado Boulder where people perceive her, like when we’re her comedy career began. out in public and I’ll see other people Her friends convinced her recognize her and they sometimes to perform stand up comedy come up and ask for a picture, it puts at an open-mic night by the it into perspective for me how well university, and she went out known she actually is.” of her comfort zone, leaving In 2016, Glaser starred in her behind the quiet and shy Comedy Central TV show, “Not Safe person she said she was in With Nikki Glaser,” where she did high school. activities such as hooking her parents “I had a really amazing up to a lie detector test or spending experience on stage,” Glaser said. NIKKI GLASER 24 hours in a strip club. Since the “If you talk to most comedians, start of her show, she has performed their first time on stage was really on “The Tonight Show with Jimmy great because it’s the best feeling in PROFESSION: COMEDIAN Fallon,” and has appeared on the world making a room of people LOCATION: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA “Conan,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” laugh. Then you go on to have and was a roaster on “The Roast of people not enjoy your set a lot, but CLASS OF 2002 Rob Lowe.” But through all of the you always have that first time to chaos of her job, she said she still remember and that’s what keeps you remembers the fun she had at KHS, going.” as well as her humble beginnings in Glaser went to comedy classes the KHS drama department. and transferred to the University “You always have your “I had a great time at KHS,” Glaser of Kansas. She pursued her degree said. “It was like any high school while also performing in Kansas first time to remember, experience where you have some of City every night. After her senior the hardest times, but you also have year of college she auditioned some of the greatest, most fun times. I for the NBC show “Last Comic and that’s what keeps have very fond memories of KHS.” ▶ Standing,” and her natural talent propelled her to the semi-finals. you going.” Nikki has received support from her Story by Liam friends and family throughout her career. A major source of support is choice for her, and I knew that she’d work is her sister Lauren Green, Jackson her father, E.J. Glaser. stick to it if necessary and she had the KHS Spanish teacher and 2004 KHS Art by Celia “I was always excited about it,” E.J. perseverance to make it work.” graduate. However, she said she is said. “I thought it was a good career Another supporter of Nikki’s not as open about it to her students Bergman

28 page design by Liam Jackson Hours: Mon-Fri. 8-5

Visit pioneeryearbook.com to buy your 2018 yearbook! Order now, prices go up! STORY BY FITZ CAIN PHOTO COURTESY OF DEVAN COGGAN ART BY BRIDGET KILLIAN PROFESSION: CORRESPONDENT AT ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY MAGAZINE LOCATION: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK CLASS OF 2011 evan Coggan, 2011 KHS why they’re passionate about it is the graduate, sits at a desk, dialing coolest thing ever,” Coggan said. “It’s Da phone number. It rings once. always fun to talk about upcoming Twice. Finally, the line crackles to films, but it’s really fun when you life. ‘Hello, this is Devan Coggan get to talk about stuff that meant a She will dig deep, find patterns and According to Coggan, TKC from Entertainment Weekly.’ On the lot to you personally when you were ask about those patterns and she encouraged her to take risks and find other end of the call, a familiar voice growing up. Those are the ones I geek works incredibly hard.” her strengths and passions. Coggan’s greets Coggan. This voice belongs to out about the most.” However, Coggan’s career as senior year, she became editor-in-chief actor Jesse Eisenberg, who Coggan is One of her most exciting a reporter started long before she of TKC alongside Maggie Hallam, interviewing about a new movie he is assignments at EW, Coggan said, was was hired at EW. She said she first who said that working alongside starring in. being invited to the United Nations became interested in journalism Coggan for TKC was the highlight of This is just another day for in NYC for an event naming Wonder at KHS. Coggan said she largely her high school experience. Coggan. She is a correspondent at Woman as a worldwide ambassador thanks the KHS journalism program, “She is one of the hardest workers Entertainment Weekly (EW), an for women’s rights. She interviewed particularly TKC, not only for I’ve ever met, Hallam said. “[She was] entertainment news publication Gal Gadot and Lynda Carter, two providing her with the skills she always a go-getter, super smart, and I that reached an audience of over generations of Wonder Woman, and, needed to succeed, but for instilling a really looked up to her. Even though 28 million in 2016. While Coggan according to Coggan, talking to love of journalism in her that set her we had the same title [and] were in focuses on film reporting, she said her them about what the character means on the path to where she is today. the same role, I looked at her as a position allows her to try all sorts of to them and to girls everywhere leader. I [also] remember her being things at EW. very good at getting at the heart of the While attending Northwestern story and connecting with people.” University, Coggan spent a quarter “It’s a tough time Coggan said even though she grew working in a newsroom at New up with the internet, she’s always York Magazine. She was then for magazines. And loved magazines. However, in a time recommended for the job at EW when media is consumed primarily by one of her professors, and, after through the screen of a smartphone, graduating, Coggan got right to work, that’s not exactly a Coggan said working in journalism moving to New York City and taking has its challenges. on her new role as a reporter at EW. big secret.” “It’s a tough time for magazines. “It’s one thing to review a film “I was interested in being a And that’s not exactly a big secret. or write about it, but to actually talk was one of her favorite experiences journalist and being a writer long The business is changing, and to someone who made it and [hear] at EW. While Coggan said her before I wanted to focus specifically journalism is changing, and nobody’s position holds benefits like these, on entertainment journalism. I fell in quite sure what the future looks like, Shirley Li, Coggan’s coworker and a love with it at The Call,” Coggan said. so that uncertainty is kind of tough,” correspondent at EW, said working “My older cousins, my aunts and Coggan said. “But I think there will at EW takes a lot of hard work and uncles and my grandmother [were] on always be a place for good writing dedication as well. However, Li said The Call. I didn’t really have much and people who are total pop culture Coggan is more than up for the task. of a choice when it came to joining geeks and want to read about talk “If she’s working on a film that’s The Call, but, to my surprise, I fell about it. That makes me hopeful.” coming out and it has a certain ▶ in love with journalism, presenting director attached to it, she will read information in that way, researching, everything about that director,” Li interviewing and all of that stuff.” said. “She will watch all of his films.

30 page design by Fitz Cain n the Target checkout aisle, extra yard. He went to summer camps to his true passion of designing, he Jonah Hill or Channing Tatum is laying across a coffee table in to further his knowledge and he was hasn’t stopped. He has worked for a part of his weekly routine. Iyour dentist’s office or peeking just a hard worker. He gave his all. multitude of publications including “I’m flabbergasted with what he has out from a rack at the nail salon, is Pioneer became his high school life.” Fortune, Wired, Complex, Men’s done with design as a professional,” the iconic pop culture magazine: After serving as editor-in-chief Health and currently EW. Hall said. “He was a copywriter for Entertainment Weekly (EW). With for Pioneer his senior year, Leong “Working at EW is a dream job,” me on Pioneer, not a designer. He’s faces of high-profile celebrities, or attended Mizzou and majored in Leong said. “I am truly blessed to been unbelievable.” the latest show to binge watch on Along with heading up design it’s cover, this American magazine for EW, he also has authored two distributes a whooping 1.8 million infographic-style books. Both heavy copies per week. The man behind “There wasn’t an on design, “Star Wars Super Graphic: these covers and page layouts is Tim A Visual Guide to a Galaxy Far, Far Leong, EW creative director, 1999 exact moment when I Away” and “Super Graphic: A Visual KHS graduate. But Leong hasn’t Guide to the Comic Book Universe” always been in the big-leagues. In fact, knew, it was just give readers a quirky insight on when his journalism career began, he cultural American classics. Copley was a timid freshman making a B+ in says she has been delighted to learn of Mrs. Copley’s English class. something that had her former student’s accomplishments “Whatever he did, he was just in the world of communication. serious about it,” Connie Copley, always been tugging “You never know with kids the KHS English teacher from 1980 to influence you have by what you 2005, said. “So, when the [journalism] on me. I knew I say, do or write down, or what the kids came to our classroom and long term effects of that will be,” talked about Pioneer and working on Copley said. “[He is] a kid you’d TKC, Tim expressed some interest. wanted to be a be really proud to call your son or I thought, ‘Yes! Yes! I think that your student.” ▶ you would be great,’ and I wrote the designer.” recommendation for him.” Although Leong was declined as a journalism. There, Leong worked work with such an amazing team of designer for Pioneer, H.L. Hall, KHS on staff for The Maneater, Mizzou’s people and have such a cool job. I am journalism adviser from 1973 to 1999, student newspaper. excited about going to work every day. let him on staff as a caption writer. “I was a reporter and it was fine,” That is something I tell students all Over the following three years, Leong Leong said. “There was not an exact the time: find something you really became deeply involved with the moment when I knew, it was just love to do.” journalism program. something that had always been EW, stationed in NYC, covers all “My philosophy was ‘If something tugging on me. I knew I wanted to be things pop-culture and behind the is worth doing, it’s worth doing well,’ a designer. So, [at the start of] second scenes of today’s media, shows and and he bought into that philosophy,” semester I switched.” music. For Leong, meeting celebrities Hall said. “He was willing to go the Ever since Leong switched over like Lady Gaga, Stephen Colbert,

STORY BY CHARLOTTE HEINRICH ART BY BRIDGET KILLIAN PHOTO COURTESY OF TIM LEONG PROFESSION: CREATIVE DIRECTOR AT ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY MAGAZINE LOCATION: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK CLASS OF 2006

page design by Charlotte Heinrich 31

STORY BY CHLOE Nikonowicz began tinkering with statement about identity in high curated into as well as his paid trip HOOKER old cameras that he found in school. to Italy to continue his work, to the relatives attics and at garage sales “Everybody ought to think that exposure the Aperture Portfolio Prize f he can tolerate the constant at a very young age. Nikonowicz’s they’re fine enough,” Nikonowicz gave him. whirring of two 3D printers that interest in building his own camera said. “I tried to make some small “The whole thing has been Iday, he will sit down at his desk, seemed natural to Sullivan who said contribution [to that].” incredibly humbling and also put on music or a Youtube video and Nikonowicz was always experimenting His passion for photography incredibly exciting in a way that plan for his upcoming exhibition. with camera equipment as a student. continued as he attended the I would have never anticipated,” But Drew Nikonowicz, 2011 KHS “You don’t find a lot of people University of Missouri where Nikonowicz said. graduate, never stops thinking about who do that to that level of passion,” his interest in acceptable realities According to Nikonowicz, artists his photography, morning, noon Sullivan said. “What set him apart began. Nikonowicz said he became have to be self-motivated which can or night. Whether he is at his desk, [from other photography students] fascinated by the relationship between be challenging. He said even eating breakfast or waiting in traffic, was that he wanted to build and his thoughts are consumed by what create various camera apparatuses to pieces to send to exhibitions, an improve his craft.” “I just really live email he needs to reply to or a tweak According to Nikonowicz’s to make on his 3D-printed cameras. girlfriend since high school, India “I just really live and breathe [my Ivy, he experimented with everything and breathe [my photography],” Nikonowicz said. “I he could get his hands on at KHS. don’t really leave that place.” Whether it be film cameras or photography]. I don’t Alongside his photography, different techniques in the darkroom, Nikonowicz has been building Nikonowicz was constantly trying really leave that 3D-printed cameras, which he hopes to innovate with his photography, to turn into a business. The project something he said he tries to hold on began after he realized he would need to as a professional. place.” a camera when he graduated from the “[Sullivan] would give him University of Missouri, and would suggestions and he would use those technology and the physical real though he has supporters who likely not be able to afford suggestions or do his own thing just world and began to create computer- encourage him to create work, it one. According to Lara to experiment,” Ivy said. “I think that generated landscapes that play with would not take long for that following Sullivan, KHS English [had] kind of led him to where he the idea of how the two intertwine. to give up on him. teacher and former is now.” He said his works are interested “The thing about being an artist photojournalism Nikonowicz began a project in making the argument that the is that at a certain point no one teacher, senior year called the Beautiful People experiences people have through necessarily cares if you continue or Project, intending to take a portrait technology are valid and not any less not,” Nikonowicz said. “You have of every student at KHS. According valuable than those we have within to be passionate about what you are to Sullivan, he was very methodical the physical world. doing because if you aren’t, no one in the process which allowed him “A lot of people tend to not agree else is going to be.” to create close to 1,000 images of with [my argument],” Nikonowicz Nikonowicz believes photography KHS students. Beyond an excuse said, “which is really great as an is not a job. Rather, it is something he to improve his portrait artist because you want people to has been passionate about his entire photography skills, be engaged in intense conversation life and enjoys doing. Nikonowicz said around your work.” “My grandma used to say ‘Find the project was Nikonowicz received recognition something that you love and intended to for his work on acceptable realities you won’t ever have to work make a when he won the Aperture Portfolio a day in your life’,” Prize in 2015 for his series,This World Nikonowicz said. “I and Others Like It. Nikonowicz said think I just got the award opened a new world to lucky.” ▶ him and was a turning point in his photography career. Nikonowicz attributes much of his success, including the exhibitions he has curated and been

PROFESSION: PHOTOGRAPHER LOCATION: KIRKWOOD, MISSOURI CLASS OF 2011 page design by Chloe Hooker PHOTO ZAC CLINGENPEEL 33 WATN:ARTISTS STORY BY ALLIE HICKENBOTHAM KEVIN THAYER: AND KATIE JUDD “[If I wouldn’t have transferred to Chicago] I think my degree field would completely be in a different direction and I feel like Chicago is such a hub for design. You have MADDIE COULTRIP: a good balance of people who are living in the city and I think that anyone who is in the arts has this want to do super contemporary design and then you desire to create. With the right work life balance have people who are in more of the suburban area that “and being able to create is probably the best part. want something more traditional. If I were to stay out in I’m a believer in putting [my art] out there even when Colorado I have a feeling it would be a lot more rustic it’s not perfect or finished necessarily and getting and a different style altogether.” feedback and seeing what people respond to outside of my immediate friends. [Also, college] opened my eyes to working with nonprofits and doing design work for good. I [could] use these skills to benefit other people in other areas.” MEGHAN JUDD: “What led to my [interest in] animation in particular is my passion for storytelling. Animation is using art to tell a story. That’s what I do [and] I love developing characters BLAYNE FOX: and worlds [to create a story]. I [hope to] produce my own film or cartoon for a major studio or television network as “I ended up going to Memphis College of Arts for about a storyboard artist one day.” two years and [made] a lot of good connections there. I was learning more outside of school than inside and ended up leaving and was contacted by Baker and Hill. They asked me if I wanted to work freelance for them by drawing sharks for Shark Week 2016. My favorite part would probably be the creative independence you SARA CATAPANO: get. I was lucky enough to not do the grunt work in the beginning. I was able to skip right ahead to doing the “Paying attention to different textures and the way things creative portion and being able to have my own say on grow, there is an order in nature like large to small, the how the designs are.” Saraway leaves Catapano:are oriented on trees, how moss grows on certain sides of things or how things decay. Mostly it is gory stuff that fuels a lot of [my art], like watching fish rot or growing up watching very strange SIFI it all sort of mixes together. Growing up, I went to the North Carolina beach every summer so that’s really where I got CLAYTON HOTZE: my inspiration.”

“At Mizzou I [did] photojournalism and [after college] the [photo] that touched me most was when I was [working] at Arkansas State and I traveled with the football team. Before every game the whole team would gather in a circle and pray together and I backed up and JOANNA HOGE: [took a photo] with a different focus than other people do [because] I like shooting a very wide angle lens. In the “Making art is intrinsic to who I consider myself to be. It’s last three or four months I’ve gotten back into 3D art a way to be curious about the world, to continue asking and I like being able to create things that other people questions. I truly believe everyone has this potential.” ▶ haven’t thought of and innovate the ways that we use the tools that we’re given.”

34 page design by Katie Judd and Allie Hickenbotham KEVIN MADDIE THAYER COULTRIP WATN:ARTISTS PROFESSION: OWNER PROFESSION: OF KEVIN THAYER GRAPHIC DESIGNER DESIGNS LLC AND INTERIOR DESIGNER LOCATION: LOCATION: NEW YORK CITY, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS NEW YORK CLASS OF 2007 CLASS OF 2007

MEGHAN BLAYNE JUDD FOX PROFESSION: PROFESSION: ANIMATION ARTIST DIGITAL LOCATION: ILLUSTRATOR SHERIDAN LOCATION: COLLEGE OUTSIDE ST. LOUIS, TORONTO MISSOURI CLASS OF 2014 CLASS OF 2014

SARA CLAYTON CATAPANO HOTZE PROFESSION: PROFESSION: BIOMORPHIC PHOTOGRAPHER SCULPTURE ARTIST AND 3D ARTIST LOCATION: LOCATION: EDINBORO, ST. LOUIS, PENNSYLVANIA MISSOURI CLASS OF 2007 CLASS OF 2011 JOANNA HOGE PROFESSION: USER EXPERIENCE ART AND PHOTOS COURTESY DESIGNER OF BLAYNE FOX, CLAYTON LOCATION: HOTZE, JOANNA HOGE, KEVIN DENVER, COLORADO THAYER, MADDIE COULTRIP CLASS OF 2007 AND MEGHAN JUDD

35 GERI PHILLIPS STORY BY ADLER BOWMAN PHOTO BY KELLEY COCHRAN

PROFESSION: ST. LOUIS METROPOLITAN CITIZENS POLICE DEPARTMENT BOARD MEMBER LOCATION: ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI KHS 1971 VARSITY CHEER SQUAD CLASS OF 1971

eri Caldwell Phillips never failed to surprise After graduation in 1971, Phillips took classes at awesome I was, there was always someone who people. In 1969, she became the first black Washington University and Meramec Community didn’t like that I was surpassing them. They were cheerleader in KHS history. She describes College studying business and computer science. intimidated because I figured something out that G Because technology was rapidly expanding during they couldn’t do.” herself as crazy and ambitious, always wanting to try every sport and take every class. As a runner, this time, Phillips believed working with computers She then got a job as a contractor for Anheuser- a soccer player, a gymnast and a swimmer, she would secure her a stable job. Busch and raised her daughter, Ingrid Caldwell, believed herself to be well-qualified for the position. Then she moved to Boston, Massachusetts to who also attended KHS. The Caldwell women Her determination got her half of the way there; she attend Northeastern University where she carried a continued to shatter stereotypes when Ingrid only had to get through the try-outs. 4.0 GPA throughout her time there. She lost her job became the first female football player on the KHS New cheerleaders earned their place on the squad in computers in the early 2000s and applied to work varsity team. Their eagerness to be different left an by performing jumps and routines in front impactful legacy on KHS. According of the student body, who then casted ballots to Deja Tart, junior, seven out of 17 for who they thought was best. Phillips “THERE WAS ALWAYS members of this year’s varsity cheer ranked three out of 14 and remained on the squad are black. She said she appreciates squad from sophomore to senior year. SOMEONE WHO DIDN’T the removal of racial barriers to create a “I wouldn’t accept the position just friendly and diverse environment. because they needed a black person,” Phillips “My favorite part of cheer is how you said. “That’s not me. I wanted to see the LIKE THAT I WAS can bring a group of different people rankings first because I earn what I get. If I together and do amazing things,” didn’t score high enough, I would not have SURPASSING THEM.” Tart said. accepted the position. I did not want them to Today, Phillips is a board member make me their token.” for the St. Louis Metropolitan When Phillips could not afford the expensive for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Citizens Police Department. After 36 hours of uniform, she said she was able to receive help from She was required to take two eight-hour exams, police training, she earned a job that allows her her mother’s co-workers by showing them her which she finished in an hour and a half. According to work alongside the police to hold events in report card, a reflection of her go-getter attitude to Phillips, she aced the exam and shocked her the community, give out food to those in need, and exceptional academic readiness. Her Spanish test administrator. visit the penitentiary, and perform other acts of teacher, Orlando Recio, often asked her to teach She later moved back to St. Louis to accept kindness to support the people living the St. Louis the class due to her consistent perfect scores on a management position for a small incentive Metropolitan area. Phillips said she will continue to every test. Jill Goad, Phillips’ fellow cheerleader and Marketing Motivational Mailing company. She serve her community and never fully retire because friend throughout high school, said that there was eventually quit this job because she often felt left she loves to be occupied with a project. no controversy when Phillips was accepted onto out of decisions made by her two male co-leaders. “I don’t like to be unemployed,” said Phillips. the squad. “I liked every job I had, but being a black “My parents raised me to do everything well, and “There was no question that she deserved it,” woman was negative in some corporate I believe I have stayed true to these instilled values Goad said. “Everybody loved her.” environments,” Phillips said. “It didn’t matter how throughout my life.” ▶

36 page design by Adler Bowman WATN: VALEDICTORIANS STORY BY WILL DRURY AND JANE STEWART

PROFESSION: PROFFESSOR OF MATERNAL FETAL MEDICINE LOCATION: KIRKWOOD, MISSOURI CLASS OF 1996

TKC: How do you think your experience at KHS has helped you today?

Vricella: I thought my experience at Kirkwood High School was amazing and I didn’t realize how awesome it was until I left. When I compared my education to other students who had gone to very expensive private PROFESSION: ASSISTANT schools, I found that my education was just as good if not better. And I still really remember some of the PROFFESSOR OF ENGLISH wonderful teaching Kirkwood High School teachers AT PENN STATE PROFESSION: gave me. They gave me the best possible foundation for PRIVATE TUTOR the rest of my career. LOCATION: PENNSYLVANIA CLASS OF 1998 LOCATION: NEW YORK, TKC: You’re forever titled as one of the most successful NEW YORK students at KHS, do you have any studying tips for TKC: What is your favorite high school memory? CLASS OF 2003 current KHS students? I have a very vivid memory of getting kidnapped TKC: How do you think your experience at KHS Vricella: Keep on if you don’t get something, just keep when I made The Call staff. It probably counts as on working. If you try hard enough it’ll click and then has helped you today? you will have the feeling that you’ve accomplished hazing today, but a lot of clubs and sports teams something that’s really wonderful. used to do versions of this. When you made Dolias: Well one of my favorite classes at KHS The Call staff for the first time, you would get was AP U.S. History with Mr. Platte, he was one TKC: If your past self could see you now, what would kidnapped usually by whoever your supervisors of my favorite teachers. I hadn’t ever been really they say? were. They would come to your house at like interested in history before that class, but it did Vricella: She would say, Why aren’t you still traveling? five in the morning, wake you up, dress you in inspire me to major in history. More broadly ridiculous clothes, give you a sign to wear to than that, pretty much what I do all day is announce that you were accepted to the staff and teach high schools classes, all kinds. So basically then take us to Kirkwood Park and pour a bunch everything I did at Kirkwood, I still use on a of crap on top of us. Things like salad dressing daily basis. or chocolate sauce. I think it was so bad my year, 1995, that they had to pull back after that. TKC: You’re forever titled as one of the most successful students at KHS, do you have any TKC: As a teacher, you must have some studying tips for current KHS students? interesting perspectives on high schoolers now.

Dolias: Oh man, my full-time job is to get high I’ve been a teacher now for over 10 years and I schoolers to study. I’ll give you a couple. When realize that a lot of my pop culture references you’re studying for a test, you need prepare like that were super cool in like 2008 are not so you want a 110 percent on the test. Don’t think super cool anymore. I’m just kinda the weird old “Oh, that won’t be on the test,” because you’ll person. I make a lot of ‘Mean Girls’ references always make mistakes. I also always encourage and I’m realizing now that that movie is to my students to try to be creative with your ideas and students what ‘The Breakfast Club’ was to me to challenge yourself take some academic and when I was a student. ▶ intellectual risks. 37 PROFESSION:BIOLOGIST AND SCIENTIST AT EPA LOCATION:CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA CLASS OF 1997

TKC: What were you involved in at KHS?

Ridley: I did cross country a couple years, and track one year. Gosh, it seems like I was busy all the time but now I know what busy really is. I really loved my AP Biology class. It kinda set me on my path in general in science, and Dr. Kone, who I have seen since graduating, was a real inspiration.

TKC: Was being valedictorian a goal for you, or did it just happen naturally?

Ridley: It wasn’t an explicit goal. My parents always PROFESSION: PARKS AND had very high expectations. It was a real honor, and RECREATION MANAGER that year it was actually three of us who were really PROFESSION:PRODUCT MAN- good friends who were co-valedictorians. It was really LOCATION: CHICAGO, AGER AT BRANCH METRICS amazing standing up there with two women who I ILLINOIS was friends with and respected a lot who also had LOCATION:SILICON really diverse interests. We weren’t all just simply CLASS OF 1994 VALLEY, CALIFORNIA academically focused. I feel like we were all well rounded people. TKC: What was your favorite high school moment? CLASS OF 2008 TKC: Do you have any advice for current high Tomlins: Our senior year high school prank was pretty TKC: Can you tell us a little bit about what you are schoolers? amazing. We put a car in the middle of the courtyard doing now (work, hobbies, family, etc.)? and then had the fire department come and flood it. Ridley: It’s interesting that you asked if being We had sandbags all around the building, that was Staten: As for hobbies, I just moved into a 1971 VW valedictorian was a goal or not. I would say that it probably my second favorite moment. It was the time Bus that I’m fixing up on weekends. Wish I knew more probably shouldn’t be. Just pursue your interests and when we had the great flood of ‘94 and so we just went about how cars work. Been living in the van for a little be excellent in whatever you do. It is a big honor but off of that theme. We painted this car, a little old car, over two months so far. I also travel a fair amount, as there are other big honors in life too, so it’s probably and stuck it in the middle of there. It was pretty fun. my girlfriend just moved to the East Coast for business more important just to do what you love and do it school. I’ve been out east three times in the last five well. I wouldn’t discourage someone from achieving TKC: What is your favorite part about your job? weeks, with more to come. extremely high grades, but also, being so far past it, there’s a certain amount of perspective you have. It is Tomlins: My favorite part about my job is having the TKC: Do you have any tips or advice for high school equally important just to have fun and have a good opportunity to impact other people’s lives. Sometimes students trying to be valedictorian? group of friends. To travel places. To see different ways it’s a very big way where we are building a new field of living and different cultures and see different kinds house or new playground and you can see that huge Staten: Being a valedictorian doesn’t mean much of people. There’s all kind of great things at Kirkwood improvement for a community. Sometimes it’s small after high school and it certainly means nothing after High School. things like fixing the paving or a drinking fountain college. I promise you won’t care about that at all by or fixing a swing. But being able to come back to that your mid 20s, and there’s a lot of life after that. I do community to see how much those improvements have some advice on a better goal though. impact other peoples daily lives is my favorite.

The world is a large enough space for just about any TKC: Did you always know you wanted to get into ambition and passion. If you’re good at something parks and recreation? and you enjoy it, do it as much as you can, every day. You may be able to make a career out of it. More Tomlins: It’s so funny, no, I definitely did not. When importantly, you’ll have something meaningful in your I look back I can remember one of the first projects life every day. Obviously we all need enough money I did in elementary school was to design a new park, to have food and protection from the elements. But and it wasn’t until I was in this job for a while that that shouldn’t be your main focus, certainly not in I remembered that part of my history. But between high school. Because after college there are no obvious now and then, I went through multiple iterations next steps. It’s like reaching the edge of a trail and of what I thought I would do for my career. I was a having a vast mountain range in front of you. You have mathematician in college and geography major, and to decide what path you want to take. It’s terrifying, I thought I would move into climatology. Literally in and for some, liberating. Hopefully by then you have the last year of college, I was forced to take a couple of an idea about what you like doing, what you find classes to graduate. I tried to fight the dean because I meaningful. That way regardless of what you find didn’t want to take them, but they ended up being my yourself doing to keep your stomach full, you’ll be favorite classes on urban planning. It was a huge pivot happy and equipped to make a difference. in my life and it totally changed my career direction. ▶

38 page design by Will Drury and Jane Stewart PROFESSION:PHD STUDENT PROFESSION: APPLE INC. AT BROWN UNIVERSITY LOCATION: AUSTIN, TEXAS LOCATION:PROVIDENCE, RI CLASS OF 2006 CLASS OF 2007 TKC: How do you think your experience at KHS has TKC: What would you say is your favorite high school helped you today? memory?

Obukowicz : I learned how to work and teach a diverse Becker: I played on the softball team and the group of people and how to partner with people on racquetball team and I have a lot of fun memories a common goal whether that’s a group project or of, you know, just hanging out with the team and something as big as getting out iPhones or Apple spending time. I was a total nerd, I still am, and I loved TVs to accounts in Peru. I really learned the value of the classes I took, like Mrs. Barker’s class was a lot of different opinions and how to work with people best fun. I was a member of a group that I don’t know if it and appreciate every idea at the table. exists anymore, called empowering women with Ms.

Kuehnle who’s now Mrs. Ambuehl. That was just a TKC: What has your life looked like from KHS to neat group and interacting with students who weren’t now? in my class or weren’t in my grade who I otherwise wouldn’t have interacted with and talking about things Obukowicz : I graduated in 2010 and realized that I that were important to us was interesting. was truly a Midwest person so I moved back to the

Midwest for a few years but got the opportunity at TKC: What advice do you have for current high Apple and actually jumped at it (which was 5 years schoolers? ago). I started out managing different accounts at

Apple, Walmart being one of them, and then moved Becker: I would just say make sure you work on being into the new product space at Apple. I still make it a well-rounded person with varied interests. That has back, I was just back in St Louis last weekend and been something that’s important to me throughout one of my best friends from high school still lives in my life is making time to be athletic and artistic and Kirkwood so I make it back to see her. having many academic interests. So I primarily studied PROFESSION: math but I also was very interested in other subjects, TKC: What would your past self say about your big and I think sometimes students tend to feel like they ENTREPRENEUR Apple job? have to have a specific path. Maybe they want to be a LOCATION: doctor and they’re going to exactly what they need to Obukowicz: I would say ‘what is an iPhone’? I think do to get to medical school and they become almost CHICAGO, ILLINOIS it’s just so crazy how technology has changed in the afraid to stray from this path or explore other interests CLASS OF 2005 past eleven years since I’ve graduated. I think I would and passions, even if it’s something you’re bad at but be so surprised at what technology has become and it’s something you’re interested in. I think it’s really TKC: What have you been up to since high school? how I’m now so passionate about it. I’d be surprised at important to be a well-rounded person, and in the how involved and interested I am in that [area]. When long run, I think that actually ends up making you Ross: It’s been a wild ride. It’s kind of gone from a I was at Kirkwood, I think I had just a little flip phone a better, whatever-it-is-you want to be. In hindsight, I small start-up to now a company of about 50 people. and iPad mini. wish I developed some of these other parts of my life. We work with school districts across the country and ▶ That’s why it was really important to me that I went to we have a program that helps provide teachers with a small liberal arts school that encouraged this kind of curriculum and students with classes to focus on experimentation, and for me that was a really good fit. debate, discussion and critical thinking.

TKC: How do you think your experience at KHS has helped you today?

Ross: Given that I’m now part of an education technology company that focuses on students in grades 3-12, I really look back at my time at Kirkwood as a touchstone for what a great education should look like and what great critical thinking looks like in practice. Now I’m touring the country looking at different school systems and realizing that that’s not the case for every school. It provides a really great model for what schools should be and inspires what to build through technology.

TKC: You’re forever titled as one of the most successful students at KHS, do you have any studying tips for current KHS students?

Ross; I’d probably say don’t be afraid to ask for help from your peers. The way I did so well at Kirkwood was we had a ton of study groups that would get together and do our homework and study. 39