Gratitude
BHS Senior Sabiri Ibrahim p. 4-5
Fall 23/Vol. 7
The Now-Complete Junior High Addition p. 6-7
Issue 2
New Bayless Athletics State Records p. 17
Board of Education
Magazine is distributed to alumni, parents, friends and neighbors. Its mission is to maintain ties among the District, its alumni and all of our friends and neighbors.
In this Issue: Letter from the Superintendent
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BHS: Senior Sabiri Ibrahim’s Journey to the Skies
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BJH: Grateful for New Beginnings
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BES: Grateful for Improvement
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BECC: Grateful for a Great Staff
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The Best of Bayless
10-11
A Place to Start: The ELD Welcome Center
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Bronchos Give Thanks
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Building a Better Bayless
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Bayless High School Athletics
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Bayless Educational Support Team
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Alumni Accomplishment and a Thank-you
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Cover: BHS Senior Elma Mesinovic waves during the Homecoming Parade on Oct. 7.
Woody Babb, President Shannon Kohler, Vice President Jeff Preisack ’83, Member Sarah Reece, Member
Michelle Padgett, Member Laura Van Zale ’83, Member Stephanie McCreary, Member
District Administration
Amy Ruzicka Superintendent of Schools (314) 256-8601
Stephen Terrill Marketing and Communications Coordinator (314) 256-8115
Michael Hawkins Assistant Superintendent (314) 373-0506 Dr. Chel’Lee Whitten Chief Academic Officer (314) 256-8658 Anna Barton Director of Instructional Effectiveness (314) 256-8601 ext. 8088 Preston Sterett Director of Business & Finance (314) 256-8687 Kim Arnold Director of Human Resources (314) 256-8605 VICC Transportation (314) 721-8657
Kelly Stahlhuth District Activities Director (314) 256-8664 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
Early Childhood Center (314) 256-8630
School Hours: 8:15 a.m. - 3:20 p.m. Office Hours: 7:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Dr. Andrew Mertens, Assistant Principal Sanela Jugovic, Administrative Assistant Cantrece Novak, Administrative Assistant School Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 2:36 p.m. Office Hours: 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Elementary (314) 256-8620
High School (314)256-8660
Christina Ly ’99, Principal Amra Hadzic, Secretary
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
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
Daniel Bieser, Principal
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.
From the Superintendent Amy Ruzicka
Dear Bayless Community,
baylessk12.org @BaylessSchools
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits during this season of gratitude, celebration and new beginnings. In keeping with the theme of this issue of , I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for the remarkable display of unity and support that our community has shown during the loss of beloved staff member Stephanie Chrestman this fall. It is often said that a community’s true strength and resilience are revealed in times of tragedy. Over the past several weeks, I have witnessed first-hand the incredible compassion, empathy, and solidarity that exists within our community. How you have come together to support one another has been nothing short of extraordinary. The passing of Ms. Chrestman, a long-time third-grade teacher, has undoubtedly left a void in our hearts and in our District. However, your unwavering support has provided solace and comfort to all those affected by this profound loss. From the countless messages of condolences and sympathy cards to the heartfelt gestures of kindness and acts of service, your collective efforts have made a significant impact on the healing process for both the Chrestman family and our staff. It is truly inspiring to witness how our community has rallied together, offering a shoulder to lean on, a listening ear and a helping hand to those in need. Your generosity extended beyond words and translated into tangible actions that have made a difference in the lives of those who are grieving. As we move forward, let us continue to honor the memory of Ms. Chrestman by embodying the spirit of unity and compassion that has defined our community’s response to this loss. Together, we can ensure her legacy lives on through our actions and the positive impact we have on one another’s lives. Once again, thank you for your unwavering support, kindness and empathy during this challenging period. Your collective strength has been a beacon of hope and a testament to the incredible community we are fortunate to be a part of. With heartfelt gratitude,
Amelia A. Ruzicka Superintendent of Schools
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Grateful to carry his name
Ibrahim dances with his younger sister during Elementary Field Day in May.
Sabiri Ibrahim’s journey to the skies
Written by Stephen Terrill, Marketing and Communications Coordinator If you spend any time with Bayless High School Senior Sabiri Ibrahim, you can feel the wisdom he carries himself with. While he is only 18, he has gotten to experience the fullness of both American and eastern African culture and life. Ibrahim was born in the Kakuma Refugee Camp in northwestern Kenya after his mother fled Somalia. When he was three or four months old, he, his mother and his siblings came to St. Louis. His father, who ran a store near Kakuma, stayed in Kenya. “I remember telling people stories like, ‘I was born on the plane,’” Ibrahim said. “I wasn’t, but (it’s funny).” Ibrahim was a Broncho for most of elementary school. In fifth grade, his father wanted him to come back and study in Kenya, so he moved to Mandera, Kenya, (which is in the northeastern corner of the country) where his grandmother lived. He spent two years there learning culture, religion and continuing his education. 4
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He then studied in Nairobi, and wrapped up his time in Africa at an all-boys religious school. Ibrahim leans on his time in Africa often, cherishing time spent immersed in his culture and heritage. “I’m glad I did it,” Ibrahim said. “It made me who I am today. It’s why I carry myself the way I carry myself.” After six months in the boarding school, Ibrahim’s father passed away in the spring of 2021. He then came back to St. Louis and re-entered Bayless as a sophomore. “The adjustment back was crazy,” Ibrahim said. “I was very surprised (upon returning),” Ibrahim said. “I was mainly around older people (in Kenya) and I came back to a much different environment.” Despite the culture shock, Ibrahim adjusted quickly. He credits this to getting connected with teachers and joining track and field, and then cross country as a junior. His senior year, Issue 2020
he joined the soccer team and helped them to a 20-win season. His work both in the classroom and on the pitch has left a lasting impression on many BHS staff members. “He is such a hard-working, friendly, and compassionate student,” English Language Arts Teacher Darby Hoggatt said. “He has an incredible ability to balance all aspects of his life: sports, school, work, volunteering, and helping his mother with his younger siblings. Additionally, he does it all with a smile on his face. I see big things for Sabiri in the future and I am happy I was able to help, in a small way, on his journey.” “He only played his senior year, but he definitely made an impact with our program in that one season,” soccer coach Dave Pozzo said. “He proved to be a leader with his commitment to hard work and getting better each day. Whether it was putting the equipment away or giving us a hard ten minutes to see out a game, Sabiri took the
Ibrahim competes in a game during the Homecoming Pep Rally in October.
initiative. In practice or competitions, I knew I was getting Sabiri’s best.” Ibrahim said he has so many teachers to thank, but couldn’t list them all out of fear he would forget one. As for what happens after he crosses the graduation stage in May, Ibrahim wants to become a pilot. He wants to do something different from his siblings, to help build his family’s legacy. His brother graduated high school and got married, one of his sisters went to college for nursing, and the other Ibrahim wins the ball from Affton during the Class 2 District 1 title game.
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sister is studying psychology. “I’ve always had this passion — make a difference, create a legacy, do something that no one in your family has done,” Ibrahim said. “I want to make my mother proud, and my dad too. I carry his name, so I want to leave a legacy where his son is a pilot. “That’s mainly why I do everything, to represent. At the end of the day, my name is Sabiri Ibrahim, and that’s (my father’s) name.” He hasn’t settled on a program, but is looking at several in Missouri. As he looks, he’s trying to enjoy his final months at Bayless with his community. Everyone at Bayless High School is happy to have him around for a little bit longer. “I’ve been an athletic administrator for six years and education for a decade, and I can honestly say — of all the kids I’ve come across I don’t know if any of them bring joy like Sabiri does,” Assistant Principal and Athletic Administrator Alex Johnson said. 5
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Grateful for New Beginnings
Bayless Junior High has officially expanded, with the addition opening in August for students to enjoy.
Written by Daniel Bieser, BJH Principal This year is the start of something special. For the first time in a long time, we at Bayless Junior High have all core classes in the same building. With the opening of the new addition has come an air of excitement. The students have ownership of a building that is all to themselves, the staff is more connected and the safety of the students has increased. In years past, our eighth grade students had to travel to the basement of Bayless High School for most of their classes. This made them split time between buildings and not really have a building to themselves. Now, they only go to BHS for four classes, and they have their own hallways in the Junior High they have taken ownership of. We have our own library that students can utilize during school hours, at lunch and after school. One of my favorite quotes from the start of the school year Lifestyle Magazine
came during our sixth grade Bash, when one of our Broncho Buddies took a group of sixth graders into the library and said “And this is OUR new library.” The ownership and pride in that statement was outstanding. We also have our own cafeteria that students are absolutely loving — they no longer have to eat at 10 a.m. Having all of our staff in one building has allowed them to be more connected. They are able to mingle and congregate with each other to get to know each other on a personal level. The eighth grade teachers are able to see and speak more with our other grade level teachers. We have an amazing staff with many amazing talents that they now get to share with everyone. There is also the added benefit for teachers of new classroom spaces. “Moving from the basement to the new addition has been a true night and day difference,”
eighth grade social studies teacher Matt Loomis said.
“An eighth grader said it best a few days after the move, ‘Everything is so bright and everyone seems happier!’”
-Math Teacher Krista Niemetz
Overall, we could not be more grateful to the Bayless Community for this space. “The new building has provided an uplifting experience by enhancing our learning environment and providing cohesiveness among the BJH staff and students,” eighth grade math teacher Krista Niemietz said.
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Grateful for Improvement Bayless Elementary School
Written by Aaron Kohler, BES Principal Some may not remember that Bayless Elementary and Bayless Intermediate were combined under one name, “Bayless Elementary” at the start of the 20122013 school year. The two buildings stood apart separated by a small 20 foot patch of grass until the Elementary connection was completed in the Spring of 2016. The school everyone sees today is the result of our district’s efforts to Build a Better Bayless. That mindset of growth and improvement can still be seen today and is especially important for students in the post-pandemic era.
School Resource Officer Wesley Pierce photobombs a photo of the Elementary Admin. Assistants.
continued to grow and improve such that Bayless Elementary was named a National School of Character in 2012, 2016 and 2021. Our after school intramurals and activities now include elementary choir, dance, LEGO robotics, archery, book battle, basketball, volleyball, soccer, track, pickleball, wiffleball and badminton. We are grateful to have the opportunity to grow and learn with our Bronchos every day.
A fifth grader high-fives Joe Broncho at our Portrait of a Graduate assembly at the beginning of the year.
We continue to upgrade curriculum resources and assessments to provide an exceptional education to all Bayless students. We also have improved our self-regulation and social-awareness skills with the 1-2-3 Wellness and Second Step programs. Our Character Education program has 8
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Students run at the Elementary track meet, a part of our intramural program. Issue 2020
Grateful for a Great Staff Bayless Early Childhood Center
Written by Crisi Ly, BECC Principal Bayless opened the new space for the cialists, like our Speech and Language Early Childhood Center in August 2016. At Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, and the time, our center consisted of two halfPhysical Therapist, who all provide special day classrooms and two full-day classrooms. education services. Now, we have expanded our offerings, and our staff has done great things to meet the needs of our students. From students with Individualized Educational Plans, students without IEPs, and families in our Parents as Teachers Program, our staff of Bayless and Special School District teachers is in-step and working hard to make sure every child has the opportunity to learn and grow. Today, when you walk in the front doors of the Bayless Early Childhood Center, you see a cohesive group of professionals dedicated to students. “Everyone is open-minded and open to suggestions,” SSD teacher Crystal Craig said of her co-workers. “Everyone is willing to try things even if it’s different from what they normally do. We brainstorm together and are always Miss Natalie and Miss Crystal reading to students during school. talking about how we can make things better.” “I like the connection with the service As Miss Crystal said, teacher Natalie providers because we can touch base in Brown said they’ve been able to rely on each person; face-to-face,” Miss Craig said. “If other when they need help. there is a challenge with a student I can “This is my fifth year at Bayless EC go ask questions or they can pop into my Center,” Miss Natalie said. “(This semester) I classroom. It’s more helpful and direct than have observed how quickly our relationships sending an email and waiting for help to be have formed. We are a small group of educa- provided.” tors all together in the EC space and we have Overall, things are going incredibly well been able to connect very quickly. The prox- at the Early Childhood Center. We are grateimity in the center helps; as I can run across ful for our staff ’s work and our families’ supthe hall and get support quickly.” port! Another big part of our staff is our speLifestyle Magazine
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The Best of Bayless expanded this year! Along with #TeacherProudTuesday, which you can see on the left-hand page, #TopStaffThursday was added for the many staff members who are vital to the district. They are on this page.
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A Great Place to Start The ELD Department’s Welcome Center
Situated at the edge of Bayless Junior High, right next to the High School Auditorium, is Bayless’s new Family Welcome Center. Inside is Dr. Monika Hasanbasic, Bayless’s English Language Development Director. She’s there helping her staff figure out the best ways to help teach students English. Hasanbasic was born in Bosnia a few years before war broke out in the region. Her family relocated to Germany as refugees before landing in St. Louis. She speaks three languages (Bosnian, German and English) and served for several years as a German teacher at Bayless before transitioning to ELD Director. Things she saw as a teacher, and things the ELD Staff saw often, led to several new practices that culminated in the Welcome Center. “We began to notice that there was a huge need seen in our newcomA clock and ELD Student artwork in er families,” one of the Center’s meeting rooms. Hasanbasic said. “We have had a big influx of newcomers recently — many who left their homeland to escape war and other tragic events. They need help navigating life in the United States. “One of the main barriers is the language. Sometimes when they enroll, (families) are not comfortable with coming to the school, and we realized we weren’t finding out things we needed to know about the student immediately — it could take months.” Because of that, the ELD Department started doing “Welcome Interviews,” which bring the student and family members to campus to meet with 12
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A view from the entrance of the Welcome Center.
the ELD Department to help them get set up in the district, as well as connect them with other resources to help them. “It opens up a meaningful conversation and lets them connect with Infinite Campus and ParentSquare (two digital tools Bayless uses for student information and messaging),” Hasanbasic said. The Welcome Interviews, which started last year, led to the creation of the Welcome Center, which recently finished construction. Using money from the Afghan Refugee Impact Grant (a federal grant for schools resettling families fleeing the Taliban), the center was outfitted as a meeting space for the Welcome Interviews. The ELD team always had various ideas for a center, which came together in this space. It is filled with multiple meeting spaces and serves as a good point of reference for the rest of the district. Families can be connected with aid organizations like Care to Learn, and many will work their way to the St. Louis County Library branch on Weber Road close to BJH for English classes. Logan University provides low-cost physicals to students, which allows them to compete in sports and other activities at school. Bilingual International Assistant Services offers comprehensive resettlement services. The impact grant also allowed for new furniture and renovations in ELD classrooms. The improvements are aimed at creating a welcoming space with a variety of desks and seating options, which will help students who are already going through the stress of adjusting to a new school feel more at ease. Issue 2020
Bronchos Give Thanks: What Bayless is Grateful for this year In November, we asked members of the Bayless community what they were grateful for and turned it into a community newsletter. Here are some of what Bronchos are thankful for!
Kate Bertram, Kindergarten Teacher
I am thankful for my Kindergarten Team. We all work very well together and are there to support one another. We have a great time and can trust one another. Our team is wonderful and it makes coming to work that much better! Yay Kindergarten!!
Ashley Stearns, Parent
I’m thankful for the sense of belonging that BES has given us! We’ve met so many wonderful staff members, students, and parents over our years here.
Eric Lawrence, BHS Principal
I am thankful for my family, the opportunity to engage in the meaningful work of education, and to work with a talented faculty/staff that impacts our students and school community daily.
Dilara Efendic, BES Student
I am thankful for my family, life, clothes, food and soccer player Zlatan Ibrahimovic because he is someone to look up to and reminds me of my brother.
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Hannah Mitchell, BJH English Language Arts Teacher and Curriculum Chair Jen Cerame, Kelsey Michno, Carolyn Widman, Erika Crow, and Susan Reeves--I’m thankful for the JH ELA team. We always have each other’s backs and work together to be better teachers for our students.
Lauren Champion, Parent and BHS Administrative Assistant
I am thankful that my fourth grade daughter, Charlotte, has transitioned into the Bayless community with ease and is thriving in Mrs. Schaefer’s classroom. She LOVES coming to school each day, has become involved in several camps, and has joined Elementary Choir. She feels loved and cared for by her teacher and friends, and is thriving in her new school environment. I am so grateful that she gets to be a part of the Bayless community that I have loved all my life! 13
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Grateful For Community Support Building a Better Bayless Over the past three years, Bayless Schools worked aggressively to build and improve our facilities, including our grounds and outdoor facilities. While we have many more improvements planned, it is with immense gratitude that we can share and celebrate our most recent improvements. Some of these can be seen while driving by on Weber Road, and some, like classroom or library renovations, may only be seen with a visit to our buildings.
Junior High (JH) Addition
As part of the 2019 Prop. 1 bond issue, Bayless completed a 30,000-square-foot addition to Bayless Junior High. The building became fully operable in time for the 2023-2024 school year. This new space allows Junior High students to remain in a single building to attend classes, eat lunch, attend band class, and use the library. One of the hallways in BJH’s addition. See Mr. Bieser’s article on page seven for a more in-depth look at
An aerial view of BJH and completed addition. 14
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how students and staff have been utilizing the space. Before the addition, half of the students were required to walk to Bayless High School for classes, creating longer passing periods and raising comfort and safety issues, especially during inclement weather. The new building was intentionally styled after the original 1932 building that was built as part of the Works Progress Administration under President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal legislation.
Bayless Field
Bayless Field, renovated in 2013, has served our students and community for nearly 10 years. On May 14, 2023, massive flooding caused the field’s drainage to reverse-flow, seriously damaging the rock base of the turf field. As a result of the flood damage, new turf was installed in July 2023 and was back in service for our school sports seasons. The damaged turf was replaced using insurance funds.
Bayless field, replaced and ready for students.
High School (HS) Renovations
During the summer of 2023, Bayless completed significant improvements in the High School building. Students returned in the fall to a renovated and updated library, a new art classroom, a new functional skills classroom, and new flooring in the hallways and many classrooms. In addition, the cafeteria received new flooring and tables. This work was completed using a combination of Prop 1 funds, grant funding, and primarily insurance proceeds from the Mother’s Day flood that significantly impacted the High School and many Bayless residents.
Looking to the Future
Some projects remain to be completed and are on the horizon. These include restroom renovations in the High School and Bayless Elementary, and some Elementary classroom renovations planned for summer 2024. A new playground for the Elementary School is also scheduled for 2024. These projects are only possible with the support of our community. Thank you for helping us build a better Bayless for our students and community! Lifestyle Magazine
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Sports Schedules Boys Basketball At Hancock At Valley Park Vs. Maplewood-Richmond Heights At Brentwood Vs. Hancock Vs. Crossroads College Prep 10th Annual Herculaneum Tournament At Maplewood-Richmond Heights Vs. McKinley Classical Leadership Vs. Christian Vs. Metro At Crossroads College Prep At Grandview (Hillsboro) Vs. Brentwood Vs. Valley Park At Festus District Tournament
1/5 1/9 1/12 1/15 1/16 1/19 1/22-26 1/30 1/31 2/1 2/2 2/6 2/7 2/9 2/13 2/22 TBA
7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. TBA 7:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 6 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. TBAA
Girls Basketball At Hancock At Valley Park Vs. Villa Duchesne Vs. Maplewood-Richmond Heights At Brentwood Vs. Hancock vs. crossroads college prep at hazelwood east vs. valley park at maplewood-richmond heights vs. mckinley classical leadership at christian at crossroads college prep vs. brentwood vs. valley park at herculaneum district tournament
1/5 1/9 1/10 1/12 1/15 1/16 1/19 1/22 1/26 1/30 1/31 2/5 2/6 2/9 2/13 2/22 TBA 16
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5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 7 p.m. tba Issue 2020
A pair of Bayless Seniors solidified their place among Missouri’s best athletes this fall. Senior Marissa Kohler entered the Missouri State High School Activities Association’s record book for stolen bases per game over a career. She is fourth all-time in Missouri history with 100 steals (1.754 per game). Boys soccer senior Elmin Lemes was named the MSHSAA Class 2 Co-Offensive Player of the Year for his work on the pitch. Elmin scored 59 goals and tallied 9 assists in 27 games. His 59 goals is eighth all-time in Missouri for goals scored in a single season.
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Alumni Success:
Nicholas Rousseau, ‘09 Bayless High School Alum Nicholas Rousseau (Class of 2009), recently won a Mid-America Regional Emmy for his work on “The Animated Works of Marlon West,” a short video packkage produced with HEC Media. HEC is a local television station dedicated to promoting education, arts and cultural communities in the St. Louis region. This award comes just a year after he was nominated for another project done with HEC. You can scan the QR Code on the right with your phone to view the award-winning work. Congratulations, Nicholas!
Bayless extends a heartfelt thank-you to the members of the Affton Presbyterian Church for their recent donation of $45,000 to the Bayless Academic Foundation. Their donation will help Bayless achieve its goal of educating Smart, Good and Strong Students. Lifestyle Magazine
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4950 Heege Road Saint Louis, Missouri 63123 p. 314.256.8600 - f. 314.544.6315 Websites:
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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 hiding out on page six in the BROs
photo. Can you find Joe the ONE time he appears in this issue?
Joe Broncho looks upon the Gateway Arch from the grounds of Malcom W. Martin Memorial Park. 20
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