September 2025 Newsletter

We’ve redesigned our online home to make it easier than ever to connect with your Parkway community. Explore upcoming reunions with our new segmented search by high school, and find greater opportunities to share your news, updates, and achievements with classmates. Plus, learn how the Parkway Alumni Association supports alumni, students, and educators through a wide variety of impactful programs. Come see what’s new—and how you can stay connected, get involved, and celebrate the Parkway legacy!

Thanks to a grant, Highcroft Ridge is proud to announce the grand opening of its very own "Little Free Garden"—a brand-new greenhouse that’s already sparking curiosity and joy among students!

This imaginative space is more than just a garden. It’s a hands-on classroom where learning comes to life through planting, observing, and growing. With each seed planted, students are cultivating not only plants—but also curiosity, responsibility, and a deeper connection to the world around them.

A huge shoutout goes to Highcroft Ridge teacher Alexa Hanna, whose creativity and dedication brought this idea to life. Her commitment to engaging students in meaningful, exploratory learning exemplifies the heart of education.

Funded through the Suzy Esstman Charitable Fund (SECF), the Esstman Grant supports Parkway teachers who bring innovative, enriching projects into the classroom. Whether inside school walls or outdoors in nature, these grants empower educators to dream big and inspire students in new and lasting ways.

Let’s celebrate this exciting new chapter for Highcroft Ridge and the incredible educators who continue to grow opportunities—one project at a time.

The Parkway Alumni Association is excited to partner with the Parkway 8th Grade Career Experience —and we’d love your help!

We’re seeking alumni from every industry—technology, healthcare, the arts, skilled trades, entrepreneurship, and more—to showcase their careers. You can host a booth or share your journey in a breakout session on December 16th from 9:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Saint Louis University – Busch Student Center. We anticipate over 1,200 Parkway 8th graders!

Whether you lead a breakout session or host an interactive booth, your participation makes a lasting impact. It’s a fun, high-energy day—and one of the most rewarding ways to give back to the Parkway community. Email parkwayalumni@parkwayschools.net for more details!

Experience the thrill of St. Louis Blues hockey live at the Enterprise Center—and make a difference while you’re at it. When you buy tickets through this special offer, $8 from every ticket sold goes directly to support PAA programs. Ticket sales now online!

October 15, 2025

• The Blues take on the Blackhawks at 8:30 pm

• Be there as the Blues hit the ice with momentum

November 3, 2025

• The Oilers come to town for a 7:30 pm game

• A great month to rally the team and give back

December 27, 2025

• Watch the Blues play the Predators at 7:00 pm

• Holiday hockey with a cause!

• Perfect for a family night, gift, or group outing

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!

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!

Dear Parkway Alumni and Friends,

Thank you so much to each of you who helped make our Parkway Golf Tournament a success! With a shotgun start at our new venue, we were thrilled to welcome alumni and friends to the links for a morning of competition, connection, and community.

A special thank-you goes out to our sponsors. Your commitment to supporting the mission of the Parkway Alumni Association is tremendous and plays a vital role in our ability to serve students, educators, and alumni across the Parkway community.

As we move through the fall season, Homecoming is right around the corner for many of our high schools. If your alma mater hasn’t celebrated yet, we encourage you to call an old friend and make plans to stop by for a Friday night football game. The sights, sounds, and fun are just as you remember!

Thank you, as always, for being part of our community and for supporting the work of the Parkway Alumni Association. Together, we continue to strengthen the Parkway legacy.

Warmly,

Kennedy Graf
Parkway South '15
President, Parkway Alumni Association

How have students been adjusting to the new cell phone policy?

Hear from Principal Dr. Angie Pappas-Muyco and South High students as they tell KMOV that students are rising to the occasion, finding new outlets to have fun and connect with one another. Junior Sanjay Manteuffel summed it up perfectly, sharing that his peers are much more attentive and not being pulled away from what's right in front of them. Tune in!

Fitting for National IT Professionals Day this month, that the Spark! Technology Solutions students kicked off their mini projects, gaining field experience and also supporting our schools.

West High seniors Jerome Hill-Buckner, Raj Aryan Allu, and Anish Kumar teamed up with Jenny Reed, Senior Technology Support Specialist, who’s in her 18th year in Parkway, to prepare new Chromebooks for Mason Ridge kindergarteners. Nothing like training for their future careers in computer engineering, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence while learning from a seasoned pro.

Central — Ben Green, Serena Huang, Aiden Moon, Lawson Robinson, Esther Wang

North — Norah Huntebrinker, Uyoyo Omunu

South — Julia Emde, Jacob Hurst, Dean Kases, Katy Nozaki

West — Ryan Hamdi, Anish Jindal, Nicole Paquette, Joe Poelker, Umar Rafiq, Soham Ray, Tyler Smith, Dylan Ziegler

They represent less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors who earned top scores on the PSAT/NMSQT and now advance in the prestigious competition for finalist standing and scholarship awards. Approximately 16,000 seniors nationwide were selected from a pool of 1.3 million students.

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.