Affton School District 2021 SOAR & Superintendent's Awards Named

From the Affton School District:

April 21, 2021

A record-breaking 43 staff members, volunteers, and community partners were honored at Affton School District’s 25th Annual Service and Outstanding Achievement Recognition (SOAR) Awards on April 21. A special Superintendent’s Award was also presented.

“On behalf of myself and the Affton Board of Education, it is my honor to recognize 43 exceptional individuals that help make Affton strong,” said Dr. Travis Bracht, superintendent “This year was once again record-breaking, which is not surprising given all of the outstanding service and achievement from our staff, parents, and community members during the pandemic and this school year.

Eight nominees received the prestigious SOAR Award. They include:

• Casey Brooks, sixth-grade teacher at Rogers Middle School;
• Adam Jasinski, Director of Technology;
• Dee Loris, social studies teacher at Affton High School;
• Selim Delic, maintenance;
• Michael Boehringer, teacher assistant at Mesnier Primary;
• Lezli Porter, Human Resources Specialist;
• Alma Ferko, head custodian at Gotsch Intermediate; and
• Nicole Yahl, first-grade teacher at Mesnier Primary.

The Affton School District health services team and Director of Human Resources received the 2021 Superintendent’s Award for their unwavering dedication to the health and safety of Affton School District, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. They include:

• Ellen Cillo, Affton Early Childhood and district lead nurse;
• Karen Laubert, Mesnier Primary school nurse;
• Kelly McCoy, Gotsch Intermediate school nurse;
• Anna Levinson, Rogers Middle School nurse;
• Paige Etling, Affton High School nurse;
• Paige Cook, health room assistant;
• Jill Jordan, health room assistant;
• Becky Stigen, Affton High School athletic trainer; and
• Sarah Sprenger, Director of Human Resources.

“As I thought about the Superintendent's Award this year, I couldn’t help but think about the pandemic. Some of the images and stories that made the biggest impact on me came from our health care workers. These individuals were on the front lines in our hospitals as the fight against COVID was at its peak," said Dr. Travis Bracht, superintendent. “Given this context, most of the recipients chosen this year were included due to their involvement with our health services program, as well as being symbolic of honoring those brave health care professionals who work outside of schools. This school year, not only do they care for the health needs of our students, but they have completed Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 contact tracing training and lead our contact tracing efforts in our schools.”

In addition to the eight SOAR Award winners and the winner of the Superintendent’s Award, 35 others were nominated and honored at the ceremony:

• Mike Alexander, Volunteer;
• Stephanie Averbeck, Volunteer;
• Rubi Barajas, Facilitator at Affton Early Childhood;
• Jane Bohn, School Counselor at Affton High School;
• Debbie Boyer, Custodian at Rogers Middle School;
• Brian Byrd, Teacher Assistant at Affton High School;
• Elizabeth Cotton, 4th Grade Teacher at Gotsch Intermediate;
• Dan Crum, Custodian at Affton High School;
• Alicia Daly, 4th Grade Teacher at Gotsch Intermediate;
• Sarah Daughtry, Teacher Assistant at Rogers Middle School;
• Rebecca Dedert, Kindergarten Teacher at Mesnier Primary;
• Jennifer DeSalme, 8th Grade Teacher at Rogers Middle School;
• Cindy Doerr, Teacher Assistant at Gotsch Intermediate;
• Denise Dolan, Volunteer;
• Katie Duenwald, SSD Paraprofessional at Rogers Middle School;
• Chris Fedel, Custodian at Affton High School;
• Don Henning, ELA Teacher at Affton High School;
• Sarah Heuring, 1st Grade Teacher at Mesnier Primary;
• Karen Karsten, SSD Teacher at Rogers Middle School;
• Nikki Kirksey, Kindergarten Teacher at Mesnier Primary;
• Troy Kozak, ELA Teacher at Affton High School;
• Amanda Lewman, Teacher Assistant at Mesnier Primary;
• Dr. Tim Luecke, Director of St. Louis CAPS;
• Stephanie Matteson, Science Teacher at Affton High School;
• Kelly Miller, SSD Teacher at Mesnier Primary;
• Tony Muyco, Social Studies Teacher at Affton High School;
• Dr. Deann Myers, Principal at Affton High School;
• Jan Nelson, Librarian at Affton High School;
• Matthew O’Brien, Spanish Teacher at Affton High School;
• Chris Perko, Art Teacher at Mesnier Primary;
• Linette Schaffer, Volunteer;
• Jennifer Snethen, Teacher Assistant at Affton High School;
• Tori Tuma, Teacher Assistant at Rogers Middle School;
• Loren Widmer, Director of Academic Options; and
• Melissa Yost, SSD Teacher at Mesnier Primary.

This press release was produced by the Affton School District.The views expressed here are the author’s own.