Out of 18,700 entries, an essay from a fourth-grader at Jackson Park Elementary School stood out. Xavier Morgan-Gillard, one of four first-prize winners in the country, wrote about how he overcame selective mutism, a type of social anxiety that made him afraid to talk to anyone outside of his family as a kindergartener. He needed confidence in himself—just like groundbreaking Major League Baseball player Jackie Robinson did 50 years ago.  Xavier's essay was titled “What Jackie Robinson and I Have in Common.” See more photos on University City Patch's Facebook page. Sharon Robinson, author and…

A student from University City High School was honored recently for his achievement in studying a foreign language. Gianni Cook was among 24 St. Louis-area high school students who received a Distinguished Achievement Award for Excellence in Languages during a ceremony on March 21, according to a news release from University of Missouri–St. Louis.  This is the first year for the event, which is held by the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. “The goal of our event is to celebrate the study of foreign languages and encourage students to continue this pursuit …

Surrounded by family and friends, including his Chaminade College Prep coach Kelvin Lee, University of Florida Freshman Guard Bradley Beal was selected third overall by the Washington Wizards Thursday in the NBA Draft.  Beal attended Jackson Park Elementary School and his mother Besta Beal teaches at University City High School.  Beal turned 19 Thursday. ESPN showed a picture of Beal and his brothers as a six year old to the nation during the live broadcast. After his selection, he told ESPN that chasing his dream was worth making the tough decision to leave Gainesville early. He said he …

Joseph Egan, a 2012 graduate of University City High School, has been named a National Merit Scholar and will receive a National Merit Scholarship from the University of Southern California. Egan was involved in many extracurricular activities at UCHS, including being a member of the boys varsity tennis team and participating in Future Business Leaders of America. He earned multiple state-level awards at the 2012 state competition for FBLA. Egan was one of approximately 15,000 students nationwide to be named National Merit Finalists in February. Of those finalists, approximately 8,300 …

Luke Babich, a senior at University City High School, has been named a National Merit Scholar and recipient of a National Merit $2,500 Scholarship. “Luke has been an exemplary student and student leader throughout his four years at University City High School,” said Dayle Burgdorf, interim principal of UCHS. “Congratulations to him on earning the honor of National Merit Scholar, and we wish him the best of luck in the future.” Babich is involved in many extracurricular activities, including serving as student council president for the past year and participating in Future Business Leaders of …

Whiz Kids: Ta'Quoara Hardieway and Shandrea White School: University City High School Nominated By: Dance St. Louis Accomplishment: Hardieway and White have been honored for their exceptional talent and dedication to dance, as well as their potential for a dance career, as the first recipients of Dance St. Louis’ new Dance Career Awards. Key To Awesomeness: The award winners were chosen from among the 150 residency students. Hardieway, 17, is a senior and White, 16, is a junior at University City High School. Five middle school and high school students from the city of St. Louis, University …

Whiz Kid: U City High School journalism students. School: University City High School Nominated By: School District of University City Accomplishment: U City newspaper, yearbook and web site students were presented with awards March 13 at the Sponsors of School Publications journalism conference at Webster University. Over 28 St. Louis metro area schools with 650 students attended the conference.  The winners include: 2011-12 Newspaper Overall Newspaper, Honorable Mention (Caroline Martinez, editor) Newspaper Commentary, Excellent (Caroline Martinez) News Story, Honorable Mention (Leah Booker…

Whiz Kids: DECA (marketing students) and FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) School: University City High School Nominated By: School District of University City Accomplishment: Doing well in state completitions Key To Awesomeness: This year business students in both DECA and FBLA performed very well in local competitions and are taking teams to the state competitions. DECA Ruby Ficklen and Emmanuel Price, 2nd place Sports and Entertainment Management Semont Lee-Davis, 3rd place Hotel and Lodging Joshua Dallas, 3rd place Restaurant and Food Services.  Joining them at State will be …

Whiz Kid: Gabe Fleisher School: Flynn Park Elementary School Class: Fourth grade Accomplishment: Fleisher sends out a daily email, The Daily Rundown, on the politics of the day before heading off to school. Key To Awesomeness: Fleisher was featured in a story in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Tuesday. Click here to read that story.

Whiz Kids: Ellie McCray and Abby Shea School: University City High School Class: Seniors Nominated By: School District of University City Accomplishment: Shea and McCray have been selected for the 2011 Gladiator by SGI/National Field Hockey Coaches' Association High School Academic Squad. Key To Awesomeness: The program recognizes high school seniors who have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale through the first quarter of their senior year.

Whiz Kid: Caroline Martinez School: University City High School Class: Senior Nominated By: School District of University City Accomplishment: Martinez, along with 120 other students from across the country, joined First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House Tuesday for a Black History Month event. Key To Awesomeness: The group of students went to Washington to celebrate blues music. The students, who were selected by the National Blues Museum, were invited to participate in "At the Crossroads," where a panel of notable blues experts will participate.  The event will give students an …

Whiz Kids: UCHS Jazz Band and Young Lions of Jazz Combo School: University City High School Accomplishment: On Friday, Feb. 3, the UCHS Jazz Band and Young Lions of Jazz Combo directed by Stanley E. Coleman walked away with 10 awards at the UMKC Jazz Festival. Winners: The students and their awards include outstanding soloists Zachary Morrow, drums; Samuel Katz, alto saxophone; and Terrance Childs, trombone. The winners of the Outstanding Musicianship/Big Band awards are Zachary Morrow, drums; Benjamin Aronberg, piano; and Nathan King, trumpet. The outstanding musicianship/combo awards went …

Whiz Kid: 200 University City seventh-graders School: Brittany Woods Middle School Nominated By: Wyman Center Accomplishment: Last fall, the students chose community service learning projects they could take on to help their school or community. After much discussion, they committed to visiting local nursing homes throughout the area to write the life stories of the residents. Key To Awesomeness: The seventh-graders are local teens in Wyman’s Teen Outreach Program or TOP, a nationally replicated, evidence-based best practice program that enables teens to develop healthy behaviors, life skills…

Whiz Kid: Grace Deitzler School: University City High School Nominated By: University of Missouri - St. Louis Accomplishment: Deitzler and 36 other St. Louis-area high school juniors will receive a Distinguished Achievement Award for Excellence in Science. Key To Awesomeness: The students were chosen for the honor by their respective high schools. They had to have good grades and demonstrate outstanding capabilities in the sciences. At an awards dinner on Feb. 21, students, their parents and teachers will be treated to dinner and a piano performance by UMSL Chancellor and jazz aficionado Tom …

Know a great kid who made Eagle Scout or did your local soccer team take the championship? They may be our next Patch Whiz Kid honoree. Each week, University City Patch will seek suggestions from readers for individual kids, youth groups, teens, and even sports teams that wow us with their accomplishments. We want to hear about these amazing children and teens and select one each week as the Patch Whiz Kid. Submit your nomination in our comment box below or e-mail the information to Maggie.Rotermund@patch.com. Be sure to include all of the following information: Nominator's name Nominator's …