May Newsletter

The caps were tossed, the diplomas were earned, and a new alumni class has officially arrived!

Welcome to the Parkway Alumni Association, Class of 2026! Your Parkway story may be graduating to its next chapter, but your Parkway pride is just getting started. From classrooms and concerts to fields, stages, and friendships that will last a lifetime — you’ll always have a home in the Parkway community.

This spring, we are proud to award the Cerutti Foundation Teacher Scholarships — a meaningful investment in the educators who inspire, lead, and shape the future every day. These scholarships celebrate the dedication of some of our most valued teachers while supporting their continued growth, learning, and impact in the classroom and beyond.

Through the Granting Dreams program, 128 students across 20 schools are given the opportunity to pursue academic dreams beyond the classroom — exploring new interests, expanding their learning, and discovering experiences that inspire creativity, growth, and confidence. From hands-on projects to unique educational opportunities, Granting Dreams helps students imagine bigger, learn deeper, and turn curiosity into possibility.

The Andrae Smith Scholarship honors the legacy of mentorship, perseverance, and opportunity by supporting Parkway North High School seniors as they pursue their educational goals after graduation. Each year, students receive a $250 scholarship award, with funds sent directly to the institution of their choice. To be eligible to receive the award, the candidate must have attended Northeast Middle School for at least one year.

The Compete • Learn • Honor Scholarship recognizes senior tennis players who embody the values that make athletics meaningful both on and off the court. This scholarship celebrates students who give their full effort, pursue continual growth with humility and curiosity, and demonstrate exceptional sportsmanship, leadership, and character. Recipients exemplify the spirit of competition through dedication and perseverance, while also serving as positive role models for teammates, opponents, and the broader school community. Through their actions, they bring honor to South High School and the game of tennis alike.

The Mark D. McLean (Noland) Scholarship is awarded to graduating seniors who have participated in the Fern Ridge Choice Program. Established in Mark’s memory, the scholarship honors the profound impact Fern Ridge had on his life and reflects the values and experiences that helped shape his path. This award is intended to encourage Fern Ridge students to pursue their passions, persevere through challenges, and remain committed to achieving their goals. Applicants may be pursuing a variety of post-secondary educational opportunities, including community college, university, trade school, or another program deemed appropriate by the selection committee.

The Sharon Wilkes Homire Scholarship was established to recognize a graduating senior member of the Parkway West women’s track team who exemplifies the qualities Sharon embodied throughout her life—academic excellence, athletic determination, and genuine enthusiasm. Sharon made a lasting impact on the lives of many through her positive spirit, perseverance, and dedication to others. This scholarship honors her legacy by celebrating a student who reflects those same inspiring qualities.

The St. Louis Cardinals and Parkway Alumni Association have teamed up to offer alumni, families, and friends specialty priced tickets for four games! Help root on the Cardinals with discounted seats for a select few games!

• Friday, June 5, 2026
• Thursday, July 30, 2026
• Tuesday, August 11, 2026

All tickets are delivered digitally—so you can easily choose any available seat in the ballpark at checkout for the game that works best for you! Even better, $5 from every ticket purchased goes directly back to support the Parkway Alumni Association. To purchase tickets, simply visit our website and choose your game >>

Come out and show your Parkway pride at our 7v7 Football Game! Join us for a fun-filled day celebrating what it means to be a Colt, Viking, Patriot, or Longhorn. The game will take place on Saturday, June 27 at 11:00 a.m. at the Parkway North football field, with players arriving at 10:00 a.m. Registration is $20 per player and includes a team t-shirt. Spectators are welcome, with a $2 gate fee per person or $5 per family. Bring your friends and family and enjoy a great day of football and community. Register to play >>

It’s reunion season! Time to save the date for your upcoming class reunion. Our website features a list of summer and fall class reunions, so be sure to check it out, mark your calendar, and RSVP. Each reunion is independently planned by its class, making every event a unique opportunity to reconnect, reminisce, and celebrate Parkway memories together. We can’t wait to welcome alumni back! Whether you're planning or attending, find your class and join in the celebration today!

• Having a class reunion that isn't on our list? Send us your details so we can post your announcement...ParkwayAlumni@parkwayschools.net
• Were you in the Parkway East Junior High Class of 1976? If so, check out the Other tab on the Upcoming Parkway Alumni Reunions section to learn about the reunion plans.

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!

Congratulations to our career and technical education students, who have been recognized as “Tops at Tech” and medalists at the SkillsUSA Missouri competition this spring.

Three were honored for their curriculum mastery and willingness to go above and beyond to support their South Tech peers as “Tops at Tech”:

Anjin Kuntz, West High – Carpentry

Kelsi Davis, West High – Health Sciences

Sean Sydnor, South High – Emergency Medical Technician

Three more students ranked among the top of their respective SkillsUSA competitions:

Cassy Ziaee, West High – Graphic Communications: Tech Info Test AND Web & Computer Programming

Jackson Hall, West High – Building Repair Technology, Construction Trades

Kate Cowan, South High – Job Skills Demonstration, Dental Sciences

Our Parkway educators are in a league of their own! Join us in celebrating some of the standout teachers who earned top regional, state, and national awards of excellence during the 2025-26 school year:

National Honors

Matt Alonzo - North High - CSTA Responsible AI Fellowship

Patrick Mooney - West High - Mathematical Association of America Elite Mathematical Instruction

Kara Schulte - North High - Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching

Statewide Excellence

Carman Trails First-Grade Team - Missouri Learning Forward Outstanding Professional Learning Team

Elize Meyer - Carman Trails - Missouri Learning Forward Outstanding Instructional Leader

Linda Rekas - Green Trails/Mason Ridge - MoASTA Outstanding Elementary Educator

Tom Schaefer - Central High - Missouri HS Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame

West Middle ELA Team - SLU PRiME Center Outstanding Student Growth (3-Year)

Regional Stars

Karlon Bishop - Early Childhood - Special Education Foundation Starfish Award

Debbie Hilke - The Nines - PreventEd Champion Award

Kristen Hughes - Central Middle and Beth Suba - District - Special Education Foundation Lasting Impression Award

Jimmy Walsh - West High - Fleming Legacy Foundation Haywood Caring Educator Award

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.