Student Standouts: Harris ’25, Harris ’28, Haywood ’25, Haywood ’28, Koman ’25, Okohson-Reb ’26, Brauer ’28, Pacifico ’28, Reynolds ’28, Suffian ’28, Walsh ’28
Faculty Feature: Begrowicz
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.
Harris and Haywood Sister Acts Shine on Girls Basketball Teams
In an article on Metro Sports STL, our double sister acts on the 2024-2025 Girls Varsity Basketball team at MICDS are highlighted. This year’s team included not one but two senior-freshman sister pairs: CeCe Harris ’25 and Lily Harris ’28 along with Jaila Haywood ’25 and Jordyn Haywood ’28. The article talks about how special this year of playing on the same high school team went for these sisters, who helped the team earn its first state trophy since 2016. The Rams earned fourth place at State with our basketball sister stars. Way to go, Rams!
Senior Sets New Goal Scoring Record for Girls Lacrosse
New record alert! Caroline Koman ’25 set the MICDS Career Goal Scoring Record for Girls Lacrosse when she scored her 166th goal overall on Tuesday, April 8! Koman helped pace the Rams as they defeated Marquette, 16-8, when she reached that milestone. Congratulations, Caroline!
Junior Accepted into Yale Young Global Scholars Program
Congratulations to Evita Okohson-Reb ’26 who was recently accepted into the Yale Young Global Scholars program this year. This is a prestigious summer program held at Yale for high school students all around the world, representing over 150 countries and including all 50 states. Students have the opportunity to engage with like-minded peers, attend seminars and lectures related to their chosen track, and explore New Haven. Okohson-Reb was one of 1,800 chosen from a pool of over 13,000 applicants, giving the program around a 13% acceptance rate, which is 5% lower than last year. Way to go, Evita!
Five Freshmen Embrace Cultural Immersion and Service Trip in Mexico
Olivia Brauer ’28, Mia Pacifico ’28, Nora Reynolds ’28, Madeline Suffian ’28, and Abby Walsh ’28 traveled to rural Galvanes, Mexico for a week-long cultural immersion and service trip over spring break. They lived and worked in the small village, fully immersing themselves in the culture. The girls helped build a dam to prevent erosion, planted trees, organized and ran a shoe sale, and formed lifelong connections with the very gracious people in the community.
Every afternoon, they hosted playgroups in Galvanes and the nearby villages of Petaca and Lindero for local kids of all ages. They played soccer, did crafts, sang songs, painted nails, and bonded over playground games.
On a walking tour one day, villagers opened up their homes and schools to the girls, giving them an authentic understanding of their culture and lifestyle.
One particularly impactful experience was when each girl spent the day with a local family in their home. During this 1:1 time, the girls helped with daily chores, worked in gardens, and took care of children. They were introduced to the authentic traditions of these small villages.
This life-changing trip helped these five freshmen appreciate the diversity of the human experience and exposed them to different perspectives.
“It’s a trip I’ll never forget,” reflects Pacifico. “It was fun to practice speaking Spanish and it amazed me how much we are able to connect and build bonds without fully speaking the same language. I came home with a full heart, unforgettable memories, and a deep appreciation for the Mexican culture and incredible people we met.”
Faculty Feature: Mr. B's 41 Years Honored in Surprise Party Thrown by Students
On Monday, April 7, a large number of students (The Math Army) in “The Calculus” course threw Al Begrowicz, Upper School Math Teacher (a.k.a. Mr. B) a surprise party to celebrate his upcoming retirement. The students all gathered in the Hearth Room and finished signing cards and gifts. They came into the room saying “Attention!” to their Math Army General and presented a Bears Jersey with “Mr. B” on it along with the number “41,” the number of years he has taught.
“I had Mr. B both my sophomore and senior years, and although the concepts he taught me each time I walked into the classroom were foreign and extremely challenging, I always felt completely comfortable in his class,” shares Oliver Ashman ’25. “When Mr. B is teaching, it is apparent that he cares so much about the content he teaches. Because of this, celebrating him seemed like the obvious decision: Mr. B is deserving of more than just one party. He loves to teach, loves to do math, and is really, really good at it.”
Congratulations, Mr. B!
