A remarkable 31 team members, volunteers, and community partners were honored at Affton School District’s 27th Annual Service and Outstanding Achievement Recognition (SOAR) Awards on April 24. The District’s Distinguished Service Award winners and a special Superintendent’s Award were also presented.
“It is my honor to recognize 31 exceptional individuals that help make Affton strong,” said Dr. Travis Bracht, superintendent. “Each of our nominees has something in common - they have all gone above and beyond in their actions and have shined in their efforts to make a difference for our students, our schools, and our community.”
Seven nominees received the prestigious SOAR Award. They include:
- Edin Besic, Project Manager for Affton School District;
- Curtis Dawkins, Volunteer;
- Jusuf Hajric, Community Partner with Bel Ami Transportation;
- Don Henning, English Language Arts (ELA) and Yearbook Teacher at Affton High School;
- Dan McCarthy, Eighth Grade Social Studies Teacher at Rogers Middle School;
- Mary Beth Merlo, Special School District (SSD) Teacher at Affton High School; and
- Ashley O’Daniel, District Social Worker for Affton School District.
In addition to our SOAR Award winners, Affton School District also recognized recipients of the 2023 Distinguished Service Award. This is the second year for these awards, and they are designed to recognize outstanding support staff employees across the district. Our support staff employees play a vital role in the success of our students, and we want to honor the hard work and dedication put forth to make each school year run smoothly.
Six nominees received the 2023 Distinguished Service Award. They include:
- Debbie Floyd, Head Custodian at Affton Early Childhood;
- Natalia Juracsik, Custodian at Mesnier Primary;
- Reshma Jakati, Instructional Staff Assistant at Gotsch Intermediate;
- Jose Bolanos, Head Custodian at Rogers Middle School;
- Jennifer Snethen, Instructional Staff Assistant at Affton High School; and
- Jim Eby, Maintenance for Affton School District.
Three individuals received the 2023 Superintendent’s Award for making a difference in supporting the Bosnian community in the St. Louis region. They are:
- Brian Jennings, ELA and Bosnian American Studies Teacher at Affton High School;
- Dr. Benjamin Moore, Founder and Director of Fontbonne University’s Bosnia Memory Project; and
- Joseph Puleo, Award-Winning Director of A New Home, a documentary celebrating St. Louis’ Bosnian community.
“This year’s Superintendent Award recipients embody the mission and core values of the Affton School District. Each of these three individuals has played a key role in preserving and honoring Bosnian history, people, and voices within our local community,” said Bracht. “Perhaps more importantly, they have used this shared ambition to engage Affton staff, students, families, and community members in the process. At a time when it may seem like the world is more divided than united, let their contributions serve as proof that Affton has never been stronger.”
In addition to the seven SOAR Award winners, the Distinguished Service Award winners, and the winner of the Superintendent’s Award, 24 others were nominated and honored at the ceremony:
- Ron Allen, Community Partner with St. Luke’s Des Peres Hospital;
- Dlovan Barazangy, Before & After Care Facilitator, Affton Early Childhood;
- Krista Bernreuter, Science Teacher at Rogers Middle School;
- Angie Bleich, SSD Teacher at Rogers Middle School;
- Eric Bowen, Fifth Grade Teacher at Gotsch Intermediate;
- Brian Byrd, Instructional Staff Assistant at Affton High School;
- Dr. Chris Daughtry, Assistant Superintendent at Affton School District;
- Steve Fedchak, Chief Financial Officer for Affton School District;
- Nicki Hejlek, Fourth Grade Teacher at Gotsch Intermediate;
- Judy Hejnal, Instructional Staff Assistant at Mesnier Primary;
- Brian Jennings, ELA Teacher at Affton High School;
- Debbie Klemme, Chartwells Food Service at Affton High School;
- Jay Laue, Business Teacher at Affton High School;
- Amanda Lewman, Instructional Staff Assistant at Mesnier Primary;
- William Matthews; SSD Teacher at Rogers Middle School;
- Maria McDermott, Administrative Assistant at Affton High School;
- Sean McDermott, HVAC Technician for Affton School District;
- Ron Medley, Cougar Care Coordinator for Affton School District;
- Katy Meers, Director of Special Education at Affton School District;
- Jennifer Molsbee, Fifth Grade Teacher at Gotsch Intermediate;
- Jan Nelson, Librarian at Affton High School;
- Cathey Pozzo, SSD Teacher at Gotsch Intermediate;
- Paige Preiss, Kindergarten Teacher at Mesnier Primary School; and
- Katie Renz, Classroom Leader at Affton Early Childhood.