Student Standouts: Singh ’24, Gilbert ’26, Gibli ’26, Meade ’26, Aslam ’29, Field Hockey Players, and Wrestling
Congratulations to this week’s standouts below. Way to go #RamNation! And as always, if you have a story to share, please email weeklynews@micds.org.
Senior Interns for The Believe Projects®
This year, senior Samruddh Singh ’24 is interning under Julius Anthony, President of the St. Louis Black Authors of Children’s Literature, a nonprofit organization geared towards teaching children how to read and write by the third grade. Teaching these early skills has scientifically been proven to increase high school graduation rates among kids. Last year, in the MICDS History of St. Louis class, Singh heard Anthony speak on a panel about education in our city. Singh shared that it sparked an interest in him, and he wanted to learn more and get involved. As a result of the exposure from the class, he reached out to Anthony and asked if he could volunteer for The Believe Projects®.
This year, Singh is serving as an intern for the organization and learning about the complicated relationship between racial equity and the education system. “My role has been fluid,” he said. “The organization creates a lot of literacy labs, which are basically libraries where kids from all parts of St. Louis can come to have free access to books. I have come out to a few of these labs and helped the construction process by giving suggestions on what should and should not be included in the literacy labs. I also helped start off the brand’s merchandise as I reached out to Deluxe, a merchandise personalization company, where I was able to negotiate and bring in personalized bags for our nonprofit that we wish to give away to kids with books inside. Recently, I helped organize an event that brought Jason Reynolds, #1 New York Times bestselling author, to talk in front of 2,000 kids from underprivileged communities in St. Louis. These are all things that I am proud of, and I hope that they create at least a small impact on the community.”
At the Jason Reynolds event, our very own Dean of Faculty, Dr. Grace Lee, was also in attendance. “It was wonderful to see one of our students (as a result of one of our classes), volunteering at a pretty cool event,” she shared. How nice to see a spark from the class ignite in such a special, meaningful way where Singh can make a difference by leading a life of purpose and service! Way to go, Samruddh!
Outstanding Photography Selected for Three Students in Webster University Exhibit
Congratulations to Layla Gilbert ’26, Samson Gibli ’26, and Sarah Meade ’26 who were all selected to be part of the Webster University High School Photography Exhibition called Beginnings 2023: Juried High School Photography. Over 450 images were submitted this year for consideration. The selection process by the jurors was extremely competitive as photos were evaluated for technical control of the camera, narrative storytelling, framing, use of color, and choice of subject.
The Opening Reception kicks off Friday, December 1, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Webster University’s Kooyumjian Gallery. According to its website, “The Kooyumjian Gallery at Webster University is a nonprofit gallery dedicated to photography and media arts. We are dedicated to promoting, celebrating, and exhibiting professional and student works.”
The Kooyumjian Gallery & Gallery Events are free and open to the public. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Kooyumjian Gallery at Webster University, Sverdrup Bldg., Second Floor, West Wing, 8300 Big Bend Blvd, 63119.
Seventh Grader Excels in Johns Hopkins University's Math Program
Seventh grader Qasim Aslam ’29 was selected for the Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Talented Youth Competitive Math Program and completed it successfully. He took the Middle School Competitive Math I course where he dove into geometry and algebra. Way to go, Qasim!
27 Rams Play in National Field Hockey Festival
Several MICDS students in the Gateway Field Hockey program participated in USA Field Hockey’s National Field Hockey Festival in Naples, Florida, over Thanksgiving weekend. Gateway took 12 elite teams and was the largest club at the Festival, and nine of the 12 teams finished with only one loss or less.
Congratulations to U19 Red and U10 Red teams with MICDS athletes on winning their pool championship!
Congrats to the following teams with MICDS athletes for placing 2nd or 3rd!
- U14 Gateway White, U14 Gateway Red
- U16 Gateway Red, U14 Gateway Blue
Way to play and “stick” together in sunny Florida, Rams!
The roster of MICDS student-athletes who participated in the festival is listed below:
- Ella Brauer ’24
- Ella Etherington ’24
- Ellie Lochhead ’24
- Virginia Portell ’24
- Mia Brauer ’26
- Avery Henriksen ’26
- Georgia Lochhead ’26
- Katie Sheehan ’26
- Ellemieke Ferguson ’27
- Elena Garcia ’27
- Mallory Jerlecki ’27
- Sadie Keech ’27
- Katherine Schott ’27
- Olivia Brauer ’28
- Lydia Brown ’28
- Victoria Noble ’28
- Nora Reynolds ’28
- Nandini Warrier ’28
- Rilyn Williams ’28
- Avery Johnson ’29
- Caroline Westre ’29
- Blair Cabbabe ’31
- Avery Brunt ’32
- Kennedy Cupp-Enyard ’32
- Analea Linneman ’32
- Josephine Mackin ’32
- Annie Mileusnic ’32
MICDS Wrestling Defeats Chaminade
A HUGE congratulations to the MICDS Varsity Wrestling team on their victory yesterday over Chaminade, 47-18! This is the first win under the new Varsity Wrestling Head Coach, Austin Smith. Way to go, Rams!