Bronchos with an
Page Four: High expectations for high achievement
Page 14: SSgt Marc Cox, Class of ‘04
Woody Babb, President
Board of Education
Shannon Kohler, Vice President
Jeff Preisack ’83, Member Sarah Reece, Member
Amy Ruzicka Superintendent of Schools (314) 256-8601
Dr. Chel’Lee Whitten Assistant Superintendent (314) 256-8658
Michelle Padgett, Member
Laura Van Zale ’83, Member
Stephanie McCreary, Member
District Administration
VICC Transportation (314) 721-8657
Kelly Stahlhuth
District Activities Director (314) 256-8664
Anna Barton Director of Instructional Effectiveness (314) 256-8601 ext. 8088
Preston Sterett, ‘05 Director of Business & Finance (314) 256-8687
Kim Arnold Director of Human Resources (314) 256-8605
Stephen Terrill Marketing and Communications Coordinator (314) 256-8115
Early Childhood Center (314) 256-8630
Christina Ly ’99, Principal
Barbara Shetley District Registrar (314) 256-8100
Kari Wolford ‘03 Transportation Supervisor (314) 256-8601
Fadil Hamidovic Director of Technology (314) 256-8611
Dr. Monika Hasanbasic ELD Director (314) 256-8600 ext. 2304
Bayless Schools
Sanela Jugovic, Administrative Assistant
Amra Hadzic, Administrative Assistant
School Hours: 8:05 a.m. - 3:25 p.m.
Office Hours: 7:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Elementary (314) 256-8620
Aaron Kohler, Principal
Dr. Amanda Middendorf, Assistant Principal
Amber Callahan, Assistant Principal
Mirsada Becarevic, Administrative Assistant
Kimberly Moreau, Administrative Assistant
Christine Kohl, Administrative Assistant
School Hours: 8:15 a.m. - 3:21 p.m.
Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Junior High (314) 256-8690
Daniel Bieser, Principal
Dr. Andrew Mertens, Assistant Principal
Cantrece Novak, Administrative Assistant School Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 2:36 p.m. Office Hours: 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. High School (314)256-8660
Eric Lawrence, Principal Dr. Alyssa Stock, Assistant Principal Alex Johnson, Assistant Principal/Athletic Administrator
Sandra Schacht, Administrative Assistant Lauren Champion ’07, Administrative Assistant
Melissa Godat, Registrar School Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 2:36 p.m. Office Hours: 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Alumni Association (314) 256-8660 ext. 8617
Sally Wear ’58 Alumni Association President
Bayless is published multiple times a year to inform the public about what is occurring at the Bayless Schools - including student achievements, happenings in the classroom, involvement in the community and more. Please submit any questions, comments or letters to Stephen Terrill, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, 4950 Heege Road, St. Louis, MO, 63123, 314-256-8115 or at: sterrill@bayless.k12.mo.us
Bayless School District does not discriminate in its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, socioeconomic status, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age or any other characteristic protected by law. Inquiries related to District programs may be directed to Director of Human Resources and Title IX Coordinator Mrs. Kim Arnold at 314-256-8605, 4950 Heege Road, St. Louis, MO, 63123. The Bayless School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Students celebrating the first day of school at Bayless Junior High.
Cheerleaders performing during halftime at a home football game.
A Jobs for America’s Graduates class participates in an engineering project.
A teacher and a student on the first day of school.
A junior high ELA student reads to an Early Childhood Center student.
From the Superintendent
Dear Bayless Community,
There are many things that set Bayless Schools apart. One of the most obvious to the casual observer is that we are not just Broncos; we are Bronchos with an H. Sometimes our unique spelling elicits questions such as “Where did the H come from?” and even teasing from sports rivals who say things like “Here come the Bron-chohs!”
One day this past August, after being playfully teased by another district while out in the community on our leadership retreat, I decided that it was time to define the H. During our annual all-staff Convocation on August 13, I did just that. Below is an excerpt from my welcome message to our staff that I would like to share with you, our valued Bayless Community.
We are not just Broncos; we are Bronchos with an H. That H represents values that have guided us throughout our journey - hard work, humility, honesty, high expectations, and hope.
Hard work is the foundation upon which our district stands. It is the dedication and perseverance that each one of you brings to your classrooms, offices, and every interaction with our students. Let us continue to push ourselves and our students to reach new heights, knowing that hard work is the key to unlocking their potential.
Humility reminds us to approach each day with graciousness and openness. We recognize that we are part of something greater than ourselves, and it is through humility that we can truly connect with our students, their families, and our colleagues. Let us always remember that each of us is a work in progress, learning and growing everyday.
Honesty is the bedrock of trust. It is through our integrity and transparency that we build strong relationships with those we serve. Let us continue to foster an environment where honesty is valued and cherished, enabling open communication and growth.
High expectations are what set us apart. We believe in the extraordinary potential of every student and every staff member. By setting the bar high, we empower our students to believe in themselves and achieve greatness. Let us continue to challenge ourselves and our students to exceed expectations and reach for the stars.
Finally, hope guides us through the challenges and uncertainties we may face. It is the unwavering belief that, with our collective efforts, we can make a difference. Let us be the beacons of hope for our students, inspiring them to dream big and pursue their passions.
I invite each and every one of you to exemplify the H in Bronchos this year. Let us embrace hard work, humility, honesty, high expectations, and hope in all that we do. Our students are looking to us for guidance and inspiration, and it is through our actions that we can make a lasting impact on their lives.
This issue of exemplifies some of the ways our Bronchos have been the H in their classrooms, on the fields, in the gyms, and out in the community. Whether you are a Bayless parent, alum, community member, or friend, I invite you to join us and Be the H!
Go Bronchos!
Amelia A. Ruzicka Superintendent of Schools
Cover: ECC Student Emmy Knetzer plays during class.
H is for High Expecations at BHS: Pushing students to achieve more
An important part of education is being challenged to grow as a learner and a person.
At Bayless High School, high expectations is a core value for everyone, like science teacher Anadia Groeneman and principal Eric Lawrence.
Groeneman teaches six sections of biology to primarily juniors and seniors. With either college or a career in front of them, she plans her course rigor to teach both the science of life and discipline that will carry them far.
She requires students to keep the class very clean and organized and to be ready to learn every day.
“I set that expectation the first week (of school),” Groeneman said. “I teach them the class routines. We keep all of our papers in a very organized binder.”
Groeneman does not accept late work, either. While each teacher at Bayless can set their own policy on late work that makes sense for the course, Groeneman finds her policy important for the classes she teaches.
She said she has experienced minimal pushback from students on this.
“It’s usually only a couple of students (who disagree with her class rules), and it’s usually at the beginning of the year,” Groeneman said. “They’re frantic and want to turn in several late assignments — and I don’t take late work. After that first two weeks of school, they learn the routine and how to manage their time.”
Groeneman is around to help if a student needs it. When a student needs to catch up on organization or other classwork, she will work with them to make sure they get back on track.
All of the work culminates with the End of Course
exam in May, a state-required exam, and the only high school science course with a state test. Students have a year’s worth of information in their binders to look back on and study from, which has been reflected in the high schools’ science scores over the past few years — all well over the state average. Groeneman also said she has had students go on to STEM programs in college and refer back to their binder from biology in some of their early courses.
Groeneman’s view of high expectations is indicative of BHS as a whole.
“I’m a firm believer that wherever your expectations are — kids will meet them,” principal Eric Lawrence said. “If you have average expectations, kids are going to meet that, and they’re going to stop. If you have high expectations, it pushes people to achieve more.”
A level of trust is required to make this work. Groeneman working with students who need help is part of that.
“If you have trust there, you can raise expectations,” Lawrence said. “It’s not an overbearing, or overwhelming situation, it’s just trying to bring the best out of everyone.”
At the end of the day, the best of Bayless students is a high level of achievement.
“I’m very proud of how our kids do,” Groeneman said. “I set the challenge and the expectation at the beginning of the year, and Bayless kids never let me down.”
A lab in Groeneman’s Class.
Photo by Colton Wooldridge
A student performs a lab in Groeneman’s Class.
Photo by Colton Wooldridge
A Helping Hand at BES
Students at Bayless proudly hail from all parts of the world. With over 35 native languages, we work to make sure everyone is a Broncho.
This year, Bayless has over 350 students in English Language Development classes at varying proficiency levels. ELD students learn more English daily and work on settling into life in at Bayless.
ELD students are also a source of support for their fellow classmates. As has been the case for Bayless students for many years now, students who speak multiple languages are quick to jump in and lend a helping hand.
For example, Omar Enayat is a third grader in Erin Wegmann’s class and has several cousins across the school. He has been in school for several years, and has a good grasp of English. He frequently helps his cousins navigate the day-today things of school. On the first day of school, one of his cousins, new to school, was having a hard time adjusting. Omar came in and comforted him to let him know everything was going to be okay.
“Omar has a positive attitude and is a very hard working student,” Wegmann said. “He has helped several of his cousins learn school expectations and checks in to make sure they are following them.”
Omar was recognized by the St. Louis Do the Right Thing program this fall. Do the Right Thing
is a collaboration between the St. Louis County Police Department, KMOV Channel 4 and local school districts to recognize students for their good behavior, heroic acts and service to the community.
“Actions by students like Omar help in the moment, but they are a community service, too,”
principal Aaron Kohler said. “By helping a classmate or a sibling, it strengthens our community and school.”
Actions like Omar’s are not just limited to one Broncho. Aryan Sultani is a second grader in Kristen deJong’s class. He started at Bayless in kindergarten and is an exemplary student.
This semester, a new student joined his class who mainly speaks Dari. When he heard that, Aryan jumped in to let Ms. deJong know that he could help, since he speaks both Dari and English. He has been there to help his classmate adjust to Bayless. For his efforts, he was honored via Future Focused Friday, which highlights students who exemplify the Portrait of a Bayless Graduate.
Abdul Hadi is a fifth grader in Claudia Peth’s class, and he is helping a few students at his end of the school, including one of his siblings. He assists people with translation to make sure they understand, and he helps in many other ways.
“Abdul has always shown a willingness to help anyone, from running an errand to cleaning up, walking with another student somewhere or trying to make someone feel better, and now helping people communicate,” Peth said.
As the students help each other, they live out what it means to be a Broncho with an H.
Sultani works with an A+ tutor during math class.
Omar at the Do The Right Thing Presentation in Maryland Heights.
Hard Work to build the future at BJH
Multiple times a month, a group of students at Bayless Junior High gather to improve their school.
It is hard work, but the BJH Student Council is there to get things done.
From planning the school’s appearances in both the Affton-Lemay Chamber of Commerce and Bayless homecoming parades, hosting a face-painting booth at the Homecoming Festival, running fundraisers like “Turkey Teacher” (which ended with science teacher Chris Ross in a turkey costume before Thanksgiving and over $120 raised for Care to Learn) and a pep assembly in tandem with NJHS to end the fall semester, the council is working to move their school forward.
“We haven’t planned a pep assembly before,” advisor and english teacher Hannah Mitchell said. “I took the officers to a conference with the high school student council to help build ideas. We’re just getting started as a student council. We’ve planned dances before, but we’re trying to become a true student council with service in mind.”
students grow into young adults. An active student council can go a long way in helping make a building work together and, at the same time, teach students the value of leadership.
“I like the leadership aspect of it,” secretary Hope Hafertepe said. “Being involved in the school is nice.”
Even outside of official leadership positions, members are very active in operations.
“For the parades — I wanted to bring more posters to hype people up,” eighth grader Angelica Adkins said. “I love sharing ideas and helping turn them into things. All of us are inclusive to other’s ideas.”
Having the students lead the council’s initiatives and projects allows them to succeed.
“Junior high kids respond really well to their peers,” Mitchell said. “(As teachers) we speak to them all day, so this is an opportunity for the kids to listen to each other.”
The pep assembly before finals did not involve teachers in any way (outside of their participation in a staff vs. student game), with the students doing every part of the event.
Focusing on service is a vital part of education as
Another benefit the council provides is an organization accessible to anyone, regardless of where they are in school.
“(The BJH) Student Council is open to everyone — which allows kids an ‘in’ that might not have it in other ways,” Mitchell said.
As the council continues to work, the staff and students at BJH are eager to see what is next.
High school senior Nadia Amghar speaks at the junior high finals pep assembly.
Science teacher Chris Ross in a turkey costume after Turkey Teacher.
Hope through Hometown Heroes at Bayless ECC
At Bayless Early Childhood, the Itty Bitty Bronchos are learning from a variety of heroes in their backyard. The full-day classrooms are piloting a new curriculum, “Creative Curriculum,” which Missouri’s department of education has put out recently.
Part of the curriculum connects the students with real-life heroes in the community. These “everyday heroes” are more than just role models; they are a vital part of the fabric that makes the Bayless community special. Throughout the year, students have met and learned from individuals who bring hope to the world. One visit was St. Louis County Police Officer Eric Middendorf, one of Bayless’ School Resource Officers. Eric helped students understand the important role of law enforcement in keeping our community safe. In another visit, Junior high athletes shared their passion for sports, showing our youngest learners the power of teamwork and dedication. During the fall, students from the High School Garden Club inspired curiosity about nature. The student’s favorite trip was when firefighters from the Affton Fire House on Seibert Avenue showed how they use specialized tools to save lives. Mr. Bryan Crider, a dedicated member of the Bayless maintenance team, has given students a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes work that keeps our campus running smoothly.
The goal of this curriculum is not
just to highlight these heroes but to show students that they can be heroes too. Part of what it means to be the “H” in Bronchos is teaching children that heroism doesn’t always come from grand gestures — it can be found in the small moments of hard work, dedication, and commitment. By learning about the roles of the people around them, students are beginning to see that they too can make a difference in their community and the world.
The response from the children has been overwhelmingly positive. They are eager to learn about the different careers and roles that help shape their world. Whether aspiring to be a police officer, a student-athlete, a gardener, or a firefighter, our youngest learners are gaining a new appreciation for the diverse ways people contribute to the greater good.
The Bayless Early Childhood staff is proud to be part of this exciting adventure, helping their students envision a future filled with opportunities to lead, help, and make their mark. As the year continues, they look forward to welcoming even more everyday heroes into the classrooms, showing children that the world is full of possibilities waiting for them to explore.
A student works with maintenance worker Bryan Crider to mend the playground fence.
Officer Eric Middendorf speaks to ECC Classes.
A student handles a tool at the Affton Fire Station on Seibert Avenue.
Student athletes from the junior high speak to classes about playing sports.
The Homecoming Parade and Festival in October was a phenomenal Saturday. Thank you to everyone who attended!
The Bayless Academic Foundation: Help for Hard Work
The Bayless Academic Foundation exists to inspire students and support teachers by providing independent funding for programs offering innovative learning opportunities. Since its founding almost 30 years ago in 1996, the BAF has provided numerous opportunities for Bayless students. Teachers apply for a grant that a commitee reviews, and the foundation disperses funds to help make the approved supplementary activites a reality. Here are several things classrooms have done with foundation funds.
Translation in ELD Classrooms
Students in Mrs. Tiffany Maloney’s English Language Development (ELD) class have been working on choosing question words to go in sentences. The photo on the right shows students using the translators purchased with a BAF grant to work in multilingual groups to talk with each other about which word they thought would be correct in the sentence. These translators allow students to work efficiently as they engage in on-the-spot language practice with peers.
Audiobooks in the Elementary Library
With money from the Bayless Academic Foundation, the elementary library doubled the size of its audiobook collection from 20 books to 40. Last year, those 40 audiobooks were checked out over 500 times by students in grades 3-5. The audiobooks are generating some new excitement around reading for many Bayless students.
A variety of opportunities in the Early Childhood Center
The Early Childhood Center used a BAF grant to enhance curriculum. One of the center’s main focuses over the past year has been to increase students’ fine motor skills. They received LCD writing tablets and have used them as a way to practice grip and letter formation. The tablets allow the students to try again and again without needing more materials.
Teachers also received books to enhance social-emotional and math curricula.
Ways to support the Bayless Academic Foundation
As a 501(c)3, the BAF welcomes donations from anyone looking to support education at Bayless Schools. A donation link can be found with the QR Code on the left. You can also mail checks to: Stephen Terrill, 4530 Weber Rd, St. Louis, MO 63123. Please make checks payable to the Bayless Academic Foundation.
a Better Bayless
Creating Hope for the future
Building a Better Bayless
Thanks to the generosity and support of the community, Bayless has continued working to make the district a great place to learn and grow. As 2024 comes to a close, Bayless School District is excited to share updates on several construction and renovation projects that have transformed the campuses. These efforts reflect BSD’s ongoing commitment to providing a safe, modern, and supportive learning environment for students and staff.
Over the summer, crews completed a new entry vestibule at Bayless High School, improving both access and security. The expanded entrance allows students and visitors easier entry while keeping doors securely locked throughout the day. Visitors now check in through the updated
main office, ensuring controlled access and greater peace of mind. Additional upgrades at the high school included renovated restrooms and a new nurse’s office, ensuring students have access to modern, comfortable, facilities. Many of these renovations were made possible with grant funding from the state of Missouri.
At Bayless Junior High, an old classroom was transformed into a refreshed teacher’s lounge and faculty restroom, creating a private, comfortable space for teachers to relax and collaborate. A particularly meaningful project involved restoring the original terrazzo flooring from 1934. Thanks to the dedication of our maintenance and custodial teams, the restored floors now gleam with renewed beau-
The entry vestiuble at Bayless High School under construction in August 2024. The updated high school office reception area.
ty, showcasing a timeless feature of our school. The original gym was also updated with new paint and sound-absorbing panels to improve acoustics.
Bayless Elementary also received minor upgrades to flooring in the main office and library. More significantly, following a plumbing failure in December 2023, the Hildesheim wing of the school required extensive repairs. Over the summer, crews worked diligently to replace damaged flooring and ceiling tiles, ensuring that classrooms and restrooms were ready for students when school resumed in August. These repairs were made possible with insurance funds. With those essential repairs completed, attention shifted to enhancing the school’s outdoor environment to better serve students yearround.
The rear yard of Bayless Elementary underwent significant landscaping renovations in September and October. Flood damage was repaired,
drainage was improved, and new lawn areas were added for students to enjoy during recess. Seating areas and a newly created teaching patio now provide an inviting outdoor learning space that blends play and education. Progress on the new Bayless Central Office building on Gravois Avenue is nearing completion. Interior finish work and landscaping are underway, and we anticipate opening the facility in the first quarter of 2025. This modern administrative center will enhance our ability to support students, staff, and the entire Bayless community. The continued efforts to improve Bayless’ facilities are driven by our dedication to preserve, enhance and create a better Bayless for our students, staff, and community in the years to come.
Progress over time on the elementary rear yard.
The updated JH Gym with freshly painted walls and sound control panels on the walls and ceiling.
Future Focused Friday:
Bronchos of all ages developing the Portrait of a Graduate
The Portrait of a Bayless Graduate is a set of four competencies we teach to all students, and it will provide them with skills needed in tomorrow’s workforce. By the time a student walks across the stage at graduation, they will have been taught to be a Collaborative Communicator, Problem Solver, Critical and Creative Thinker, and a Global Citizen. This year, Bayless has highlighted students who exemplify how those skills show up in our classrooms, on the fields and in the community. The Portrait is for all Bayless students, from the youngest Itty Bitty Broncho in the ECC to the first senior to receive their diploma. Watch the Bayless social media pages for the biweekly series!
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Athletes of the Week
Emma Bolden held down the catcher position for Bayless Softball this fall. She was selected as a Post-Dispatch Athlete of the Week for her performance during a four-win week for the team leading into the postseason. Her season stats included a .634 batting average, 36 stolen bases, 33 runs scored and an OPS of 7.32. She was named the SCCA Co-Player of the Year, First-Team All-District and Regional Coaches Second-Team.
Grace Ladouceur was a force on the court this fall, contributing to Bayless Volleyball’s 22 wins. Grace is a member of the Class 3 All-State Volleyball team, and is likely the first-ever female student athlete from Bayless named to an All-State team. She was named the South Central Activites Association Conference Player of the Year, a First-Team All-District selection, and now holds the record for most career kills in school history. She did this only playing at the varsity level for three years. She was selected as a Post-Dispatch Athlete of the Week after a career-high 23 kills in a match against Farmington.
Marvin Jones set a program record on the ground this season for Bayless Football. Jones set the Bayless single-game rushing record with 275 rushing yards in a 44-12 win over Dupo (Illinois) in the early part of the season, earning him the Post-Dispatch honor. He was a player teams had to watch out for due to his explosiveness and speed. Jones ended the year with 1,251 rushing yards, averaging 8.1 yards per carry, and scored 12 touchdowns on the ground.
Portrait of a Graduate: Alumni
Portrait of a Graduate: Marc Cox’s journey in the Marines
There is a quiet, unassuming building on the eastern edge of the Delmar Loop. It’s only two stories, but on the front is emblazoned the name of an honored military branch— Marines.
Staff Sergeant Marc Cox has his recruiting office inside, doing something he considers a crowning achievement in life — helping people just like his younger self find a path forward. The location is conducive to it too — his office is at what he lovingly calls “the middle” of St. Louis, where many of the region’s groups tend to collide geographically.
SSgt Cox is a St. Louis native, a Bayless graduate, and he’s been a collaborative communicator his whole life.
SSgt Cox grew up in North St. Louis, near Natural Bridge Avenue and Kingshighway. In fourth grade he came to Bayless through the VICC Program and stayed there until he graduated. He speaks fondly of the experiences he had at Bayless, and says coming back to his alma mater is one of his favorite parts of being in charge of the recruiting station here.
SSgt Cox graduated from Bayless in 2004. He looked to join the military in 2009 after completing some undergraduate work. Being in the armed forces was not his initial plan, but he did have a desire to serve his neighbors.
“Service to the country was always something that was in my mind,” Cox said. “It might not have been in the military, per se. It could’ve been in the medical field, even in the religious field. My grandfather
was a bishop when he passed, my grandmother is a pastor. I kind of thought for awhile that would be the route I took.”
Several conversations with his family, who all suggested he would fit in a military environment, began to push him in that direction. It was then a process of choosing which one.
“I looked at the four major branches, and the Marine Corps didn’t stick out to me,” Cox said. “You hear about the others all the time.”
But during his search, the other branches got crossed off the list. For Cox, the Army felt too large, the Navy had longer deployment cycles, and the Air Force was for brainiacs (something Cox now admits is true of members all branches, but he didn’t quite catch that at the time). He intentionally left the Marines for last.
“(I said to the recruiter that) I’ve always heard that you guys are just, hardworking, you guys go in first, you leave last, you guys are straight edge and the most dangerous person in the room,” Cox said. “Then the recruiter said ‘well what if people stop say-
ing that about just us and start saying it about you?’”
That sealed his choice — he was going to be a Marine. In July of 2009, he had been waiting for a contract to come up, and got a call from a recruiter on a Tuesday. There was a spot open as an aviation mechanic, but he had to leave Thursday.
He packed up his apartment in two days and got on a plane to San Diego. Recruit training began shortly after.
“It’s 13 weeks, which is the longest in the Department of Defense,” Cox said.
After 13 weeks of recruit training, he was officially a Marine, but still had another month of combat training, which covered many of the weapons the Marines use in combat situations. Then he spent another year of training on the east coast learning to work on aircraft and eventually got stationed in San Diego.
During his early years, Cox also set off on an international deployment. He was sent to Japan, where he and his fellow Marines had to act as informal “Ambassadors to the World.” Since service members are one of the main ways Japanese citizens interact with Americans, Cox had to understand the culture and communication barriers that might exist in that context.
“It’s really about knowing what the American
culture is, positive or negative, and how others view us,” Cox said. “As a Marine — holding true to everything that is just and right. While you’re there, it’s a full on respect, and an exploratory mindset and being willing to try new things. You have to respect the people and their place — because it’s theirs.
“There’s a historic aspect to being over there as well,” Cox said. “We fought each other in a war. During my time I’ve been to Pearl Harbor, where that war started, and to Hiroshima, where the war ended.”
Cox had several jobs after his time in Japan, building a diverse skillset he credits the Corps for providing. He worked his way through the ranks, eventually being promoted to the Non-Commissioned Officer rank of Staff Sergeant.
“Marines have the unique opportunity of being really good at a lot of stuff,” Cox said. “One hat I wear now is station commander for St. Louis. Before that it was quality assurance for a division of Marines in aviation.”
Between Ospreys, Hueys, rotary and others, he oversaw many different aircraft. This is where being a collaborative communicator is truly important.
“Relying on the thinking heads around me,” Cox said. “There’s Marines that have been through this before me, seen it done a million times — why not reach out to them? Then being able to translate and teach that to a new generation. And sometimes (younger Marines) have different approaches than I might, and that approach is the missing piece.”
That willingness to collaborate is an important example for not only the Marines under his command, but anyone looking to succeed in life.
Collaborative Communication, paired with one other thing Cox finds vital in the recruits he speaks to, will take people far.
“Consistency,” Cox said. “You might not get it right, but never stop shooting. One foot in front of the other, if you keep on that path you’ll be alright. That will help you — not just here in the Marine Corps — but in any profession.”
SSgt Cox and his daughter on their front porch.
Cox in high school in the early 2000s.
4950 Heege Road
Saint Louis, Missouri 63123
p. 314.256.8600 - f. 314.544.6315
Website: baylessk12.org
Read the magazine digitally at: issuu.com/baylessschools
Where’s Joe Broncho?
Joe was hiding on one page in the last issue of . In that issue, Joe was on page seven in a photo of a junior
high student walking across the stage at promotion. Can you find Joe the ONE time he appears in this issue?
the sonny siebert dugout
During the Homecoming Festival, Bayless dedicated the home dugout at Bayless Ballpark to Wilfred “Sonny” Siebert. Siebert graduated from BHS in 1955, played basketball and baseball at Mizzou, then played 11 seasons in Major League Baseball. Siebert played for the Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals and several other teams.
He won 140 games and posted a 3.21 era in his career, which included All-Star game appearances for the American League in 1966 and 1971. Sonny visited Bayless Ballpark with his family on October 19 to see the dedication.
