District Students Honored for Excellence at Thursday's School Board Meeting

The University City Board of Education kicked off its meeting Thursday night by publicly recognizing the accomplishments of a handful of district students.

Board members recognized University City High School senior Khalid McGhee for being named to the 2012 Missouri All-State Choir. He'll take part in the state festival next month.

The board honored Brittany Woods Middle School's librarian Kelly Werthmuller for her recognition by the American Library Association as an emerging leader. She was of 77 participants picked nationwide and the only librarian selected from the state of Missouri.

Five students were praised for their artwork, which adorned holiday cards sent out by the district. Each year, Superintendent of Schools Joylynn Pruitt sends out holiday cards. This year, her holiday cards featured five different designs showcasing the students' artwork. Students throughout the district submitted designs and the following five students were picked for the honor:

• Orlando Woolens, junior at University City High School
• Andrea DiCarlo, sophomore at University City High School
• Ella Martin, first-grader at Flynn Park Elementary School
• Julian Evans, fifth-grader at Jackson Park Elementary School
• Lila Taylor, fourth-grader at Flynn Park Elementary School

Senior Emma Mutrux was recognized by the board for being selected as the YWCA’s Future Leader for 2011. Each year, one area high school student is singled out for the honor by YWCA Metro St. Louis.

MLK SPIRIT AWARD

Superintendent of Schools Joylynn Pruitt announced that Redditt Hudson will receive the 2012 Martin Luther King Jr. Spirit Award. Hudson is a former University City basketball standout. He is the Program Associate for the American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri (ACLU-EM).

The MLK Spirit Award is given to a current or past University City resident who has worked or is working toward racial unity and justice.

Hudson joined the ACLU-EM as a racial justice associate in 2005, according to a news release from the organization. In that role, he led the Racial Justice Initiative for two years before being named the ACLU-EM Racial Justice Manager. Hudson is also a former St. Louis police officer.