February Newsletter

Please join us in congratulating three exceptional educators who inspire students, foster creativity, and make a lasting impact across Parkway Schools:

• District & Elementary: Emilie Myer – Mason Ridge, Fifth Grade

• Middle School: Julie Mazar – Southwest Middle, ESOL

• High School: Diana Warren – Fern Ridge, Art

Emilie, Julie, and Diana were surprised at their schools by the Teacher of the Year selection committee—comprised of former Parkway Teachers of the Year—and the program sponsor, the Parkway Alumni Association. Through the Educators Make a Difference Fund, the PAA provides monetary awards totaling $2,000 to these three teachers.

The PAA provides recognition for all of Parkway's teachers of the year with a special reception and honors them at the district's annual Appreciation Evening event in the spring. Their dedication, passion, and commitment to students represent the very best of Parkway. Congratulations to these inspiring educators and to all who were recognized as Teachers of the Year!

Love was in the air this Valentine’s Day as we celebrated our Parkway Sweethearts! ❤️

Thank you to the alumni couples who shared their stories and reminded us that some of life’s greatest love stories truly do begin in the halls of Parkway. From first crushes to lifelong partnerships, each story was a special reflection of the connections that make our community so meaningful.

We loved reminiscing and celebrating alongside you. If you haven’t had a chance yet, you can still read their stories and relive the memories here.

And if Parkway is part of your love story, it’s never too late to share—we’d love to hear it!

Help Us Keep You Connected

You may have recently received a message from Publishing Concepts (PCI), our partner in helping us update our alumni contact information.

Taking a few minutes to update your information ensures you can:

• Stay informed about alumni events and reunions

• Receive alumni news and school updates

• Reconnect with classmates

• Explore opportunities to mentor, volunteer, or engage

Your participation is completely voluntary, and your information is handled with care.

If you’ve already responded—thank you. If not, we hope you’ll take a moment to reconnect.

Mark your calendars and join us for Parkway Trivia Night at The Lodge Des Peres on Saturday, March 28 at 7 p.m.!

Bring your friends, family, and teammates for a night full of fun, laughs, and friendly competition. Whether you’re a trivia pro or just in it for a good time, everyone’s welcome!

Registration now open!

Now Accepting Nominations: Parkway Alumni Hall of Fame – Class of 2026!

Do you know a Parkway graduate who is making a meaningful difference? From professional achievements to exceptional community service, we’re seeking alumni who exemplify the spirit, leadership, and excellence of Parkway. Founded in 2004, the Parkway Alumni Hall of Fame celebrates graduates whose accomplishments have brought distinction and pride to the district.

Selected honorees will be recognized at the 2026 Hall of Fame Event in St. Louis, where their impact and legacy will be celebrated. Help us celebrate Parkway’s legacy of excellence—nominate a deserving alum today!

Looking to reconnect? Our reunion calendar is updated monthly with events organized by graduating class and high school. Whether you're planning or attending, find your class and join in the celebration today!

Interested in our scholarship programs or want to create one to honor yourself or a loved one? Contact Sandy Riutcel, Executive Director of the Parkway Alumni Association, at 314-415-8074 (office) or sriutcel@parkwayschools.net for details. We're here to support your aspirations and ensure our alumni can continue their academic journey!

South High senior Lexi Cook capped off an unforgettable career by winning two more individual titles Saturday at the MSHSAA Class 2 Girls Swimming & Diving State Championships. For those keeping track at home, Lexi's individual gold medal count is now four.

The senior helped guide the Patriots to a third-place team finish (171 points) with a decisive win in the 500 free for the second consecutive year, followed by an All-American performance in the 100 back, defeating the defending state champion by two seconds.

They’re highly trained and always prepared for the “what ifs.” Whether they’re navigating the chaos of morning traffic with a smile or being the person a student turns to during a rough day, our school resource officers (SROs) and school safety officers (SSOs) help create a culture of safety and trust.

In honor of National School Resource Officer & Security Day on February 15, we extend a heartfelt thank you to our SROs and Parkway Security Team for their hard work in protecting our schools. Hear from SRO Travon Green and SSO Neil Scognamiglio about their experience serving the Parkway community.

Raise that trophy high, ladies!

After a runner-up finish in 2025, our Central High Colts broke through today to capture the program’s second MSHSAA Class 1 Girls Swimming & Diving state title, and the first in more than four decades (1984).

Students celebrated 100 days of learning, 100 days of growing, and 100 days smarter—a milestone worth celebrating. And the fun didn’t stop there… some classrooms even kept the excitement going with a special 101st Day celebration!

Here’s to every lesson learned, every milestone reached, and all the growth still to come this year.

Nehemiah Colyer [PWH ’17] is featured in St. Louis Magazine in the article, How One St. Louisan Found Something Rare: Upward Economic Mobility.

In a time when fewer young people are achieving the American Dream, Nehemiah’s story stands out as a powerful example of perseverance, opportunity, and impact. His journey—and what made it possible—offers important insight into the future of St. Louis and the pathways that help students succeed.

Read the full story here >>

Harry Burrus [PHS ’62] still carries the spirit of Parkway with him—65 years after making history as the school’s first State Champion in his junior year.

Today, Harry is an accomplished writer, artist, and filmmaker with advanced degrees in Cinematic Arts and Writing. He is the author of eleven poetry collections and two novels, and his visual art and photography have been exhibited internationally, from South America to Europe. His creative work spans genres and mediums, including film, collage, and literary publishing, and his screenplay Immortal Quest earned top honors in the Capital Fund Screenplay Competition.

A lifelong athlete, Harry also competed in international tennis, earning national rankings in singles and doubles and achieving the No. 2 Father & Son doubles ranking in the United States alongside his father.

You can also explore his books and artwork by searching Harry Burrus on Amazon and reading sample excerpts of his published work.

We need help at your school! We have openings for bus drivers, and many others for custodians and grounds crew employees needed to support our families. If you know someone who is interested, please share this with them. Interested applicants can call 314-415-8401 for more information or visit this website.