Student Standouts: Kleinlehrer ’22, Ray ’23, Triplett ’26, Hrabosky ’26, and Woodward ’28
Faculty Feature: Missy Heinemann
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.
Senior Testifies Before House Committee on Bill 2000 - 'Holocaust Education Week'
On Tuesday afternoon at the Missouri State Capitol, Noah Kleinlehrer ’22 testified before the Missouri House Committee on Bill 2000 – ‘Holocaust Education Week’ for Missouri Public Schools. After bringing the bill idea to Representative Schwadron, he was invited to spend the day with him, meet other representatives on the house floor and Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe, to discuss Bill 2000.
For some time, Kleinlehrer worked on this bill proposition with Missouri Representative Adam Schwadron and Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham. The bill seeks to expand the current statute from 2006 which created the Missouri Holocaust Education Committee.
Kleinlehrer said, «Being able to speak to our government about an issue that means so much to me was incredible. The amount of support I have received from students, teachers, and elected officials continues to impress me. I hope to serve as an example to people of all ages that we DO have the ability to create change in our world.»
In his testimony, Kleinlehrer told the story of his grandfather’s survival and about the importance of this bill to him and the hundreds of others he’s educated about the Holocaust. The session was also streamed and some of Kleinlehrer’s senior classmates and friends around the country viewed his testimony. Watch the testimony below.
Julia Ray '23 Named Gatorade Missouri Girls Cross Country Player of the Year
Congratulations to Julia Ray ’23 on being named the Gatorade Missouri Girls Cross Country Player of the Year! This prestigious program recognizes the nation’s most elite high school student-athletes for outstanding athletic excellence, high standards of academic achievement, and exemplary character. Ray is the first POY to be chosen for the Cross Country program from MICDS.
The following is quoted from the Gatorade Player of the Year Press release:
The 5-foot-5 junior distance talent was the top Missouri finisher at the Eastbay Midwest Region Cross Country Championships this past season, clocking a time of 18:07.20 on the 5K course. A 2021 All-Metro First Team selection, Ray was also the state’s top runner at the Nike XC Town Twilight Invitational (5th overall) and the Rick Weinheimer Cross Country Classic, where she crossed the line in second with a personal-best time of 17:52.80, which ranked as the state’s third-fastest clocking by a prep girl in 2021. She took fourth at the MSHSAA Class 5 StateXC Championships with a time of 18:00.00. Ray also chalked up victories at the Fort Zumwalt North Twilight Invitational, the Forest Park Invitational, and the MSHSAA District 1 championships.
An active member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter at MICDS, Ray has volunteered locally for the House Rabbit Society of Missouri. “Julia Ray has been the heart of the MICDS cross country program for the last three seasons,” said MICDS head coach Jim Lohr. “Her drive and discipline have made her the best girls distance runner in MICDS history.” Assistant coach Diane Broberg adds, “As a teammate, Julia leads by example and attends every meet whether she is competing or not, cheering her teammates to finish strong.”
«When I received this award I was immediately shocked and just extremely happy,» said Ray. «Receiving this award has been one of my goals for a few years now and I feel really grateful to have been chosen for it this year.»
#RamNation is so very proud! Way to go, Julia!
Eighth Grade Flag Football Stars
Eighth graders LJ Triplett ’26 and West Hrabosky ’26 went back-to-back and won the 13u division of the Flag Football World Championship Tour in Tampa, Florida this past weekend with their St. Louis Impact team. In 2021, they won the 12u division. This year, they beat teams from Las Vegas, North Carolina, and Miami.
«It’s always fun getting to travel and play with the Impact team,» said Hrabosky. «LJ and I have been with the team for five years, so winning the championship two years in a row together feels really good. We’ve worked hard to get here.»
Way to go, LJ and West!
Middle Schooler Nominated for Arts For Life's Best Juvenile Performer Award
Over the weekend, Asher Woodward ’28 was nominated for an Arts For Life Best Performance Award for his portrayal of Christian Bechdel in Fun Home this past fall. Specifically, he was nominated for Best Juvenile Performer. The Arts For Life awards recognize outstanding community theatre productions in the St. Louis Metro area. Overall, Fun Home was nominated for 10 awards, including Best Small Ensemble Musical Production. The award ceremony will take place this summer.
Way to break a leg, Asher!
Faculty Feature: Missy Heinemann Appointed to Board of FPACF
Congratulations to MICDS’ very own Missy Heinemann, Middle & Lower School Drama Teacher, has just been appointed to the board of the Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation.
The Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation (FPACF) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization with the mission of fostering, promoting, and encouraging young people in the St. Louis region to discover and participate in the joy and wonder of live performances. The Foundation hosts educational performing arts programs focused on young artists in our region. Programs include the annual Teen Talent Competition, The St. Louis High School Musical Theater Awards, Kids Night at the Fox Theater, as well as a wide range of guest artist workshops that support the current and future artistic endeavors of young artists. In fact, many of our own MICDS performing artists have participated in and received recognition during these annual events hosted by the FPACF.
The Fox Performing Arts Foundation was established in 2002 by President of the Board Mary Straus, co-founder of the Fabulous Fox Theater. Ms. Heinemann shares, «As one of 10 members of the Board of Directors (newly appointed in January of 2022) my role is to support the mission of the Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation through a variety of activities including promoting its work and impact, identifying and cultivating strategic partnerships, setting annual goals and objectives, overseeing programs and activities, and providing financial oversight of operating and project budgets.
«I was nominated to the Board by my mentor and friend Dr. Marlene Birkman, VP of the Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation. Marlene is well-acquainted with my work in non-profit management, fundraising, and marketing in addition to my artistic background and training. I was thrilled when she extended an invitation for me to join the Board of Directors, especially considering how closely this aligns with my current work and purpose as a drama teacher here at MICDS!»
Bravo, Ms. Heinemann!