Category Archives: An Eye On Alumni
Young Ladue Schools Graduates Excel in Local Civil Rights Organization, Local Government
Ladue Schools graduates have gone on to establish successful careers in academia, business, entertainment, government, nonprofits, medicine, along with so much more.
Two Ladue Schools graduates will be a part of the NAACP-St. Louis County’s Freedom Fund Leadership Dinner, due to their accomplishments. John Gaskin III is the Freedom Fund Dinner Committee Chairman, an NAACP national board member and a graduate of the class of 2011. This event is the third-largest NAACP dinner in the nation, and John serves as the youngest freedom fund dinner chairman in the county.
Jimmy Loomis, also a Ladue Schools alumnus, class of 2013, is the youngest elected official in the state serving as the Clayton Township Democratic committeeman, and will serve as Honorary General Chair for this major event.
Solomon, Alumnus and Photojournalist, Covers Drone Attack Against ISIS
Ben Solomon is a New York Times video journalist and filmmaker. He’s also a 2006 graduate of Ladue Schools. He has reported in numerous war zones and in 2015, he was part of a team who won a pulitzer prize for their work in Sierra Leon, Liberia and Guinea during the Ebola virus epidemic.
Recently, Ben accompanied Iraqi special forces fighting ISIS and experienced a drone attack firsthand. Watch the video he created below.
2012 Graduate and Football Star Jehu Chesson Drafted by Chiefs
Jehu Chesson, a Ladue Schools 2012 graduate, was recently chosen by the Chiefs in the NFL draft! Jehu, wide receiver for the Michigan Wolverines, is one of the top receivers in the Big Ten. He’s 6-foot-3, 204 pounds and finished his Michigan career with 114 receptions for 1,639 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Alumna Featured in Ladue News for Altruism, Art Appreciation
Lynn Hamilton is a 1963 graduate of Ladue Schools. In 2010, Lynn launched Maturity and Its Muse, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit that offers seniors the opportunity to enjoy and experience art while enhancing their quality of life. Check out this article in Ladue News that features Lynn Hamilton and her philanthropy!
Alumnus Recognized for Work with St. Louis Mosaic Project
Congratulations to Ladue Horton Watkins High School alumnus Vin Ko for his recent recognition in entrepreneurialthinking.com! Vin is a 2005 graduate of Ladue Schools, and works with the St. Louis Mosaic Project, a regional initiative between the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership and the World Trade Center St. Louis. The group welcomes immigrants into the community to share talent, ideas and energy to drive innovation.
Alumna Kristy Jackson Featured in Show-You STLs Entrepreneurship Project
Ladue Horton Watkins graduates go on to excel in any field they decide to take on after high school; and we love to share their success stories! Kristy Jackson, a 1991 graduate, was recently featured in Show-You STL’s Entrepreneurship Project for her creative consulting and event planning company, DK Solutions.
“I am a connector and innovator with a passion for helping others reach their full potential,” Kristy told the group. “This is my personal, spiritual and entrepreneurial mission. I am blessed to have the opportunity to have found my purpose and to work in it full time.”
The company has several brands to find the best fit area businesses and community development. You can check them out here!
Alumna Returns Library Book 50 Years Overdue
At the Class of 1966’s 50th reunion last week, Sarah Steinman Mock returned a book to the LHWHS library…. it was only about 50 years overdue! The book is “A Comprehensive Anthology of American Poetry”, and Jim Goldwasser, the faculty member giving the tour, decided to waive the fee!
Old Bonhomme Class Reads Alum’s Article in TIME for Kids
Mrs. Margaret Shockley shared an exciting moment with her students this week when they opened up the current edition of TIME for Kids. One of Mrs. Shockley’s former Old Bonhomme School students in 2003, Rebecca Katzman is now a professional writer, and one of her articles was included in the publication this month. Mrs. Shockley loves to inspire her writers, and what a thrill it was to see the by-line with a former student’s name!
TIME for Kids is a weekly classroom news magazine encourages non-fiction reading in a motivating format and covers a wide range of real-world topics kids love. Rebecca is an editorial assistant for the publication. You can see her Twitter profile here!
Alumna Susan Medart Gets Crafty, Business Flourishes
Susan Medart, a 1980 Ladue Horton Watkins High School alumna, found her calling just seven years ago when she decided to try her hand at starting a business for her handmade crafts.
Susan always enjoyed designing and creating her own pieces, and from this passion, Knollwood Lane was born. The business was named after a family property in Wisconsin. Susan’s business has since blossomed, and she found two other local mothers, Crystal Lindsey and Julie Frizzell, who joined her.
Ladue News featured a story about Susan’s success, and you can read more about the business and its wares here!
Ladue Schools Grad Speaks at DNC
Many Ladue Horton Watkins High School alumni have gone on to make a difference at the local, state, national and international levels. Marlon Marshall, a 1997 Ladue Schools graduate, is now the Director of State Campaigns and Political Engagement for Hillary for America. Marlon gave a speech at last week’s Democratic National Convention. You can watch this video segment below!
