Student Standouts: Sloane ’25, Walsh ’25, Allgeyer ’25, Zhao ’25, Brooks ’26, Julian S. ’34, Cox-Garleanu ’26, Cabbabe ’31, and Ava S. ’36
Faculty Feature: Bouchard
Congratulations to this week’s standouts below. Way to go #RamNation! And as always, if you have a story to share, please email weeklynews@micds.org.
Successful Ski Racing Season for Sloane ‘25
Four Rams to Receive Honors at National Football Foundation's Chapter Awards Dinner
The National Football Foundation’s St. Louis/Tom Lombardo Chapter is recognizing four Rams at their 34th Annual NFF Chapter Awards Dinner on April 27. Joseph Walsh ’25 has been selected to the 2025 Elite-Eleven Team. He will be the center of a wonderful evening that he will remember for the rest of his life. This recognition comes with a $2,000 scholarship from the St. Louis/Tom Lombardo Chapter that he can apply to the college he attends in his freshman year.
Lucas Allgeyer ’25 will be recognized for inclusion in the Big Red Top 25 Team. He will receive a plaque and recognition.
Dr. Fred Bouchard, Head Varsity Football Coach, has been selected to receive the Bob Bunton Award for advocacy for amateur football. This is a great honor that comes with recognition that evening in the program. Additionally, alum Grant Purdy ’21 will be the College-Student Athlete Scholar Award winner, and he will deliver a speech that evening. Congratulations, Rams!
Senior Earns 3rd Place in Short Story Competition
A big congratulations to Bowen Zhao ’25 for earning 3rd place in the National Society of Arts & Letters St. Louis Chapter’s short story competition. His story, Trinity, was complimented for its creativity and clear, detailed writing.
Over 75 schools in the region from Central Illinois to the Ozarks were invited to participate in this contest. This was a blind competition—the judges did not know the names or schools of the writers. Well done, Bowen!
Three Rams Participate in Winter Equestrian Festival
Three of our Rams—Maddie Brooks ’26, alumna Anna Schierholz ’07, and Julian S. ’34—ride or teach at Clouds End Farm in Wildwood, Missouri. Riders Brooks and Julian recently competed with their horses at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, Florida.
Over the last six weeks at WEF, here are their achievements:
- Julian competed for four weekends in the Small/Medium Children’s Pony Hunter category in three Jumping Classes and one Flat Class with 20 riders competing each weekend.
- His horse, Rajah, was awarded 4th, 5th, and 8th place.
- In the Wishlea Star Song, Julian and his horse earned 1st, 2nd, 3rd (2x), 4th (2x), and 8th place.
- In the DF Crush, Julian and his horse earned 7th place.
- Brooks competed in the Junior Hunters category and had the following achievements:
- Champion 15-17 equitation out of 50+ riders
- Class winner in 15-17 equitation out of 50+ riders
- 5th Washington Equitation out of 70+ riders
- 6th USEF Medal out of 60+ riders
- Last weekend, Brooks and her new horse Lux earned 1st, 2nd, and 7th place out of over 20 riders with a high score of 87
How exciting to see an alumna, Upper Schooler, and Lower Schooler all part of such an exciting sport! Way to gallop to success, Rams!
Junior's Poem Earns 1st Place in Poetry Competition
Bravo to Isabelle Cox-Garleanu ’26 whose poem, Aftermath, won 1st place in the 2025 Wednesday Club Junior Poetry Contest! Her victory earned her $500, and she will be honored on April 9 at a Poetry Tea. Congratulations Izzy!
Sixth Grader Gallops to Victory in Primetime Horse Show
Blair Cabbabe ’31 recently competed in the Primetime Horse Show at the National Equestrian Center where she was the winning champion in her division. Way to go, Blair!
First Grader Shines at Regional Dance Competition
Last weekend, young dancers from across the region gathered at the Masquerade Regional Dance Competition in Collinsville, Illinois, showcasing their talent, dedication, and passion for the art of dance. Among the standout performers was Ava S. ’36, who captured multiple 1st-place awards and was honored with the prestigious Outstanding Stage Presence Overall title.
The Masquerade Dance Competition is a highly regarded event that brings together hundreds of young dancers, competing in categories such as solos, duos/trios, and group performances. With age divisions ranging from Petite (8 & under) to Senior (15-19), the competition highlights technical skill, artistry, and showmanship. This year’s event featured an impressive number of participants, with dancers vying for top honors in front of a panel of esteemed judges.
Ava’s performances stood out not only for their precision and execution but also for her undeniable charisma and stage presence. Her ability to captivate the audience and judges alike earned her multiple 1st-place finishes and the coveted Outstanding Stage Presence Overall award, recognizing her as one of the most dynamic performers of the competition.
Her success is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and love for dance. With this achievement, Ava continues to establish herself as a rising star in the dance world, and her future in the industry looks incredibly bright. Fabulous job, Ava!