Student Standouts: Andrew ’22, Ramakrishnan ’22, Jawaid ’23, Saur ’29, Patton ’23, Sondrol ’22, Pellegrini ’23, Ray ’23, Puri ’25, Boys Basketball, and Football
Coach Spotlight: Mattingly
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.
MICDS Quarterback Named Athlete of the Week
Congratulations to Reagan Andrew ’22 who was named Athlete of the Week in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Reagan served as quarterback (and held a number of special teams assignments) for the MICDS Football team, helping the Rams make it to three state semifinal games. He was named the Metro League Player of the Year and is among the area’s leaders in passing yards and touchdown passes. Way to go, Reagan!
Three Rams Perform with St. Louis Children's Choir
Arya Ramakrishnan ’22, Alizeh Jawaid ’23, and Reagan Saur ’29 woke bright and early on Thanksgiving to perform with the St. Louis Children’s Choir. The choir’s live performances of Sing We Now of Christmas, arranged by Mark Patterson, were featured on KMOV Channel 4’s Great Day St. Louis morning program. “Since we were helping the kids sing, it also taught us how to be good leaders. It was also kind of nerve-wracking to be one of the first up, but it was genuinely such a heartwarming experience for everyone involved,” shared Alizeh. The choir sang from a float in the Ameren Thanks for Giving Parade.
After singing in the choir during the parade, Reagan said, “Performing in the parade was a really fun opportunity. I really enjoyed being able to share the joy of music and singing with so many different people!“
“Our director wanted some concert choir singers, the highest choir level, to lead the younger choir in the parade so she decided to ask seniors in concert choir to go on the float as well. She needed a few more people and so she went to one other junior and me,” explained Alizeh. “I felt flattered that she considered me experienced enough to join the seniors in leading the kids choir.”
Rams Star as Nutcracker and Conductor in Nutcracker On Ice
After auditioning, Skye Patton ’23 was selected for the principal role of the Nutcracker and Haylii Sondrol ’22 was selected for the principal role of Conductor in Nutcracker On Ice. Skye has been skating for 11 years and has skated with Nutcracker On Ice for 10. She said, “I have been a part of Nutcracker On Ice since 2012 and each year is an incredible experience that brings the St. Louis skating community together. I have absolutely loved growing up in this community and I am so unbelievably proud to be presenting as the Nutcracker this year.”
Haylii echoed the excitement for this year’s show. “I love performing in Nutcracker On Ice because it is an amazing experience for me to share my talent and passion with others,” she said.
Last year, Skye earned her USFS gold medal in Moves In The Field and placed first in the country in the teen division for National Showcase, a national US figure skating competition that emphasizes theatrical skating. She loves expressing herself on the ice and finds it a great way to decompress. Skye looks forward to competing at the novice level this summer.
Nutcracker On Ice is performing at Webster Groves Ice Arena on December 11 and 12 at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tickets are available online here!
Junior Helps Make Community More Culturally Connected
Deren Pellegrini ’23 was featured in Town & Style magazine for creating stlcuisine.org, “a website showcasing 280 ethnic restaurants in the St. Louis area.” Read the article to find out about the inspiration behind Deren’s website along with his interest in food, the MICDS International Council, varsity ice hockey at MICDS, refereeing ice hockey games, and volunteering for KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now). Way to make an impact, Deren!
Julia Ray '23 Competes in Kenosha, WI
Girls Cross Country and Track & Field Coach Jim Lohr reports: “Julia Ray ’23 has been one of Missouri’s top athletes in Cross Country and in Track and Field for three years. She is the top distance runner in MICDS history. Last Saturday, she competed in the Foot Locker Mid-West Regional Cross-Country Championship in a chilly Kenosha, Wisconsin. Julia was up against the best runners from the Mid-West Region, including athletes from Indiana, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Illinois, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Michigan, Ohio, Iowa, and Minnesota. There were 200 runners who started the Girls Championship division and Julia raced her way to 25th place. Julia was the top finisher from Missouri and is one of the top runners in the country.” Way to go, Julia!
Freshman Gives Chess Lectures
Want to learn how to play chess? Look no further than to MICDS’ very own Arjun Puri ’25 who gives chess lectures at the St. Louis Chess Club. Check out his latest lecture below!
The lecture series started during the pandemic as a virtual chess lecture series. You can see the series of Dynamic Dozen chess lectures by Arjun on the St. Louis Chess Club YouTube channel here.
Boys Basketball Off To A Victorious Start
On Monday, the MICDS Boys Basketball team was highlighted in STL Today for their victory against Francis Howell Central, 59-40. Brandon Mitchell-Day ’22 scored 21 points, Marcus Coleman ’23 scored 13, and Jayden Banks ’24 scored 10.
Football Completes Season at Semifinals
The Rams Football team has officially completed their 2021 season. They won their quarterfinals match by narrowly defeating St. Dominic in the Class 4 quarterfinals, 22-20. Read the recap of the quarterfinal game here and an article about how the Rams were focusing on the semifinals here on STL Today. Also, check out the impressive stats for the team upon heading into the semifinal game.
In the Class 4 state semifinals against Smithville, the Rams led for the first three quarters but ultimately fell 36-40. Read the semifinals recap here. We are so proud of our Rams! No team but MICDS scored more than 14 points against the Smithville Warriors all season.
500 Games Coached by Varsity Ice Hockey Coach
Congratulations to Varsity Ice Hockey Head Coach John Mattingly for coaching his 500th high school game on November 27! Alum Riley Clinton ’21 commented, calling him, “The best coach in the state and a great role model for his players. I’ve been lucky to get to know him on and off the ice over the course of my playing career and beyond.”
Director of Athletics Josh Smith adds his compliments: “Coach Mattingly has poured his heart into Rams Hockey and our MICDS student-athletes. I want to congratulate him on reaching this milestone, and let him know that we are the lucky ones who have been fortunate to have him at the helm. Here’s to 500 more!” Our Rams are so fortunate to have you, Coach!