parentA newsletter for parents published by the Voluntary Interdistrict Choice Corporationlink • Volume 28, Number 3, July 2014 Ashleigh Taylor PJ Sims Lindbergh Fulfills Student’sby Peggy Magee Quest for Discovery Student Thrives from Challengingby Peggy Magee Parkway Education Ashleigh Taylor loves learning, creating and The Lindbergh school district, with its PJ Sims likes to be challenged and the PJ hesitates to name just a couple of abundance of classes, activities and car- his teachers who stretched his abilities. exploring. Her interests and talents are wide ing, insightful faculty, satisfied Ashleigh’s Parkway district delivered for him. “I guess “There were so many who set the bar and varied and she is passionate about each insatiable desire to expand her world I’ve always wanted more than I’ve had and so high for me and made me feel capable and fulfill her sense of wonder. Feeling of reaching it.” and every one of them. She’s a gal on the academically prepared and broadmin- I’ve gotten used to pushing myself,” he notes, PJ had enough credits to graduate go--curious, energetic, organized. ded, the 2014 grad is confident and adding, “I’ve come to enjoy it. I thrive best early from Parkway South, but his prin- enthused about moving on to Southeast cipal persuaded him to take a couple Missouri State University in the fall. when I’m challenged.” more classes The numerous recognitions Ashleigh and lend a earned at Lindbergh are proof of her That’s a good thing since the 2013 hand in the high achieving ways. As a culinary arts graduate of Parkway South High School learning lab PJ’s Advice student, her days over the past two years now attends St. Louis University where, as an accounting major, he studies hard to students for Other NON-PROFIT ORG. NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID LOUIS, MO ST. NO. 5737 PERMIT were split between academic classes send at Lindbergh and culinary classes held to meet the high academic standards. needing Students: at South Tech High School. She won He remembers clearly the two academic help. “It felt Sample all different sample numerous local culinary competitions classes at Parkway South High that including first place in the district. She really tested him. In his Advanced good to be types of classes and also received the Superintendent’s Placement Statistics class, the amount able to pass to mail award for her scholarliness and com- of writing involved had him perplexed. along knowl- activities to narrow munity service, plus excelled in various “Why would English be used in a math edge to oth- down which ones house quiz bowls testing professional develop- class,” he wondered. He was equally ers and help ment skills. She graduated in the top 30 challenged by the problem solving them pass interest you. Then to make percent of her senior class. skills required in Physics. their courses.” focus more in those There is no disguising her self sat- With his teachers guiding and en- After school isfaction when Ashleigh talks about all couraging him, he passed both courses. he did the areas. Take them to sure the her after school activities. “I was in seven The principal too believed in his abili- same for the next level and clubs at Lindbergh and two at Tech,” she ties. She was so certain he could score youngsters in reports, rattling off martial arts club, mailer well on the AP Statistics exam (a high his neighbor- stretch yourself. book club, Japanese club (president), enough score to earn college credit), hood when environmental club, etc. She sampled she rebuked his objections of not being he worked area is all different classes too. In addition to able to afford the exam fee and put up as a junior general academics and her culinary staffer at the Adams Park location of focus, she took clothing design, art and the money for him. “She said she would correct Herbert Hoover Boys’ and Girls’ Club. As design, several years of Spanish includ- track me down and make me pay if I a child, he was very involved with the ing honors, and is self taught in multiple didn’t pass, but I did.” In fact, PJ was on club. languages. the honor roll for most of his 13 years in At St. Louis University, PJ is involved Voluntary Interdistrict Choice Corporation 7425 Forsyth Blvd., Suite 110 St. Louis, MO 63105 She says she appreciates “so many” of Parkway. her teachers for their individual merits-- With interests in dancing and sing- with the African-American Scholars one for being kind and accommodating, ing, PJ was part of the hip hop dance group that brings in African-American someone else for stressing positivity, an- club at South and sang in the choir. guest speakers who share their stories other for encouraging students to think When the choir needed a first tenor, PJ, of success. “It’s inspirational,” he says. deeper about all things, and one who had been singing second tenor, “If they can do, so can I.” The faculty and teacher from way back in fourth worked hard to make his voice hit the staff at Parkway South never doubted grade who insisted, “There’s no higher notes. He succeeded. “It was an that for a second. Ashleigh’s Advice such thing as the word ‘can’t’ achievement,” he recalls with a smile. for Other Students: because you can.” Ashleigh seems to have You have a choice in the friends you make. applied all of this advice in her Whomever you choose will change you own life. She is contemplating three college degrees or at least for better or worse. So choose wisely. taking classes from each: global Check inside for Always follow the rules. Be yourself. languages and culture, interna- tional studies and international Outstanding Graduates! business. She might take her cu- linary skills to the next level. She All county schools will start in August. doesn’t want to limit herself. She wants to travel and see the world. She knows See page 4. she can. And she will. Tatyanah Petford Karen Nwosu Chris Williams Monica Long-Davis Tyree Wright Artez Johnson Affton High School Bayless High School Brentwood High School Clayton High School Hancock Place High School Kirkwood High School Raven Jackson Margarette Prospere Kahlia Ali Teniah Gary Aja’ Jackson Abdi Ismail Parkway North High School Parkway South High School Parkway West High School Pattonville High School Eureka High School Lafayette High School Affton Hancock Place Affton High School Hancock Place High School Tatyanah Petford is a wonderful Ranking 10th in his class, Tyree Wright example of hard work and dedication. plans to attend Southeast Missouri State in Ranked 13th out of 213 graduates with a the fall to major in exercise science. With cumulative grade point average of 3.9038, that as a major, it is no surprise that Tyree Tatyanah has participated in honor classes was involved in several extra-curricular This issue of the and the “Project Lead the Way” biomedical sports, participating in Hancock’s baseball, program all four years. She is also basketball and wrestling teams for two successful in athletics, participating on the years and was a dominate part of the Parent Link is cross country and track and field teams at cross country team for three years. He Affton. A great role model and very mature was selected as captain of the team his dedicated to those beyond her years, Tatyanah is still deciding senior year. Tyree was chosen for the on her future college plans. National Honor Society in his junior year transfer students and served as vice president the following Bayless year. Among his high school honors are who are members of selection to the honor roll all four years, Bayless High School perfect attendance for three years and he Planning to major in chemical was selected by his teachers for the Virtue the Class of 2014 -- engineering at the University of Missouri- of Missouri awards, representing the virtue Columbia, Karen Nwosu is her school’s of Equality. hardworking students choice for outstanding senior. A member of the National Honor Society, she earned Kirkwood who have left behind honor roll status all four years of her high school career, and earned a leadership Kirkwood High School an enviable record award her senior year. Assisting others, Artez Johnson has been a shining she completed multiple hours of academic star in the Kirkwood District since second tutoring and served as a meal runner for grade. Following graduation, he plans to of accomplishments. senior citizens providing comfort and attend the University of Missouri-Kansas support when necessary. A vocalist in the City. While at Kirkwood, Artez was an For each student Bayless Performance Choir and an actress honor student, participated in the Spanish in the Bayless Theater Company, Karen will club, plus was a Link Crew Leader and who is mentioned, graduate at the age of 16, all while building member of TRYPOD, both which work positive relationships with her peers and with transitioning freshman students. He staff. was a sixth grade camp counselor and he there are scores of volunteered with the Special Olympics. Brentwood others also deserving Lindbergh Brentwood High School of recognition. Our While at Brentwood High School, Lindbergh High School Chris Williams participated in several Alex Rucker has been hard at work congratulations activities including football, wrestling and during her time in Lindbergh, through competitive speech and debate. Along involvement in Character Council and go not only to the with extracurricular activities, Chris took a Key Club. The recipient of numerous challenging course load, taking several dual awards, including perfect attendance, LHS credit college courses.