Inspiring, tenacious, brave, intelligent, and unstoppable...just a few of the words used to describe the wonderful students who were nominated for the Rosemary Zander Award this year. Since 1988, students have been recognized for this award due to their accomplishments in academics, arts, athletics, communications, vocational training, employment, independent living skills, community service, and extracurricular activities. Our recipients are chosen by a panel of SSD judges who carefully review and score the many nominations submitted each year, pouring over the heartfelt and thoughtful words of SSD staff who clearly think the world of their students. While it makes the selection challenging, it is also a true testament to the special work of SSD.
Join us in celebrating the 2023 Rosemary Zander Award recipients!
Click the photos to learn more about our 2023 Rosemary Zander Award winners!
Elliana Boyett
Elliana Boyett Craig Elementary Parkway Schools
"Now in fourth grade, Ellie has made remarkable progress during her years at Craig Elementary. Having diagnoses of Down Syndrome and autism, she has decreased her need for adult support while adding more words to her communication device. She participates in community circle conversations with help from her general education teacher and speech-language therapist. She attends birthday parties and play dates, plays soccer, became a Girl Scout, and joined the cheerleading squad at Northeast Middle with support from a peer mentor." - Karyn Reynolds, Teacher
Reed Durham
Reed Durham Brentwood High School Brentwood School District
"Reed has demonstrated a true metamorphosis as a student at Brentwood High School. He no longer speeds down the hallways with his trademark baseball cap drawn down to hide his face. When he gets frustrated in difficult classes, he applies learning strategies and a growth mindset to overcome his feelings. In four years, Reed has grown from a struggling freshman into a college-bound senior who will pursue a degree in game design! He tutors other students in math and chemistry, and his smile lights up our school hallways.” - Mary Beth Glasgow, Teacher
Damian Ewald
Damian Ewald Horton Walkins High School Ladue Schools
"Since arriving at Ladue Horton Watkins High School, Damian has been a leader among students. He is one of the founding members of the school’s e-Gaming club, a space for students to make friends with peers with common interests. His friend, Ryan, says Damian is a helpful and kind friend who can talk about a thousand different things and is good at getting jokes. He is an example of a student who can achieve great things independently and inspire the community around him."- Kerry Bennet, Teacher/Case Manager
Jade Gillespie
Jade Gillespie Neuwoehner High School Special School District
"Before coming to the class at Fontbonne, Jade was a reserved, quiet student. Now she regularly speaks about how much she loves her school day. She has embraced the Fontbonne community to help her become a better student and communicator. This year, she took on the challenge of learning sign language. She has worked tirelessly to build a sign language vocabulary, inspiring her classmates and family to learn sign language with her. She has worked hard to learn the skills she needs to find the success she dreams of having when she graduates from Neuwoehner in May." - Michal McMurtrey, Teacher
Corey Howard
Corey Howard Chesterfield Elementary Rockwood School District
"Corey began his journey at Chesterfield Elementary as a kindergartener who struggled to communicate his most basic wants and needs. Now in fifth grade, he excels in academics, extracurricular activities, and social interactions. He is involved in our school’s special chorus program, which requires him to come to school early one morning a week for practice. He is an inspiration to his fellow students! In the words of one: Corey makes me feel better when I feel bad. He helps me with my work when I am struggling.” - Jennifer Rolwing, Speech-Language Pathologist
Dylan Kaiser
Dylan Kaiser Blades Elementary Mehlville School District
"Dylan’s advocacy for other students who have unique learning needs and his self-awareness of his diagnosis of autism are just two of a million reasons why I nominated him for a Zander Award. Though he’s only eight years old, he is a kind, hard-working student who talks about his diagnosis confidently and lets others know it’s okay to be who they are. He uses his experiences to help other students understand they are not alone. He can light up the room with his friendly and bubbly personality! " - Ashlee Scaglione-DeWitt, Resource Teacher
Da'Shaun Kemp
Da'Shaun Kemp Litzsinger School Special School District
"Learning to use a communication device has been a key component of Da'Shaun’s progress at Litzsinger School. Though he initially struggled to regulate his behaviors, he quickly learned how to communicate his wants and needs verbally, through pictures, and by typing after getting a device. He is now more independent, confident, and able to swiftly regulate his emotions. He also has learned to initiate play with his peers. He is affectionate, hardworking, persistent, loyal, and one of the most loving students we have ever worked with."- Jason Vanover, Teacher
Dominic LaFiore
Dominic LaFiore McCluer North High School Ferguson-Florissant School District
"Dominic has taken on many academic and physical challenges over the past 12 years, despite the physical effects of cerebral palsy. He has become a strong self-advocate for accessing physical accommodations at school, which helped him attend classes at North Tech last year. He also helps others with disabilities by being a camp counselor at the Variety Kids camp. At his church, he helped with repairs. Good grades and tech proficiency are important to him as he strives for success in his classes. He is an inspiration to all who know him." - Tracy Heiland, Orthopedic Impairment Itinerant Teacher
David Mertz
David Mertz West High School Parkway Schools
"Born in Ukraine, David has come a long way since he first received SSD services for autism at age five. In that first year, he demonstrated a remarkable acquisition of the English language and, since then, has made significant progress in his academic and adaptive skills. Now a senior, he participates in general education classes that include a mentor theater class, requiring him to put great effort into memorizing his lines and learning scene cues. He has worked in the CBVI program at St. Vincent’s Thrift Store for the past two years, where he is a leader for students new to the site. He uses two cell phones to help him access resources related to visual cues, checklists, and apps. David’s grit and perseverance undoubtedly will help him be successful after high school." - Carrie Leipholtz, Speech-Language Pathologist
Adelaida Platon Acosta
Adelaida Platon Acosta Neuwoehner High School Special School District
"Addy’s perseverance has led her to do phenomenal things at Neuwoehner this school year! She has started accessing games, devices, and computers using a variety of switches. She is working on driving a power wheelchair. When Addy and her dad met with a bilingual representative from a wheelchair company, they would ask her questions in Spanish, and she would respond on her device in English. I was amazed! All I could think of was how smart she was and what the possibilities were for her."- Michele Hahn, Occupational Therapist
Isabel Soriano
Isabel Soriano Brentwood High School Brentwood School District
"Isabel is the most surprising superhero you will ever meet. Despite significant personal trials, she does not complain, shut down, or stop doing her best. She has physical challenges but marches onto the court or field as a cheerleading squad member with pride. She is an active member of the student activity council, our coffee shop manager, and mother hen for the students in her class. Isabel is not content to stop at completing her academic goals - she is determined to be part of the school culture at Brentwood. - Mary Beth Glasgow, Teacher
"Gianna’s impact on the Barretts' community has been exceptional! In addition to her academic progress in reading and math, she has blossomed into a leader who is eager to smile and say hello to peers and adults. Despite having social anxiety, Gianna continues to conquer this barrier and engages in school and community activities. She participates in a weekly virtual Glee Club, the Children’s Rosary at Saint Clement Church, the National Fragile X Foundation’s Sibling and Advocate Network, her neighborhood swim team, and the Barretts Honor Choir."- Mary Hackworth, Occupational Therapist
Micah Truelove - Herrick
Micah Truelove-Herrick Lindbergh High School Lindbergh Schools
"Micah has held leadership positions or participated in organizations that include Future Business Leaders of America, Rho Kappa Honor Society for Social Studies, YMCA Youth in Government, and the school bowling team. A serious student who aspires to a career in sports broadcasting production, he serves as co-editor-in-chief of Lindbergh High School’s Broadcast Sports Marketing club. He also produces media presentations about the athletic program for school distribution. Last year he was the homecoming general chair. Micah has consistently sought opportunities to learn new skills, develop experience, and serve his community".- Victoria Carlson-Casaregola, Speech-Language Pathologist
Lily Walker
Lily Walker Brown Elementary School Hazelwood School District
"Lily is a fifth-grade student in the deaf/hard of hearing (DHH) program at Brown Elementary. Known throughout the school as outgoing, intelligent, and kind, she has received several awards for character. In addition to playing violin, she participates in the Girls on the Run and Read, Right, and Run programs. She has aspirations of becoming an art teacher and currently mentors a kindergarten student who is DHH. Lily is an independent, self-actualized girl who loves to express herself by wearing bright clothing and accessories, including elf ears!" - Lauren Walls, Speech Pathologist
Hannah West
Hannah West Summit High School Rockwood School District
"Hannah has curated a fantastic experience for herself at Rockwood Summit High School. She has always been eager to learn and improve, but her achievements in independent living skills and vocational training/employment are the most notable. Although Hannah doesn’t speak, she participates in the Re-Voc Work Study program and loves going to work! She also is on the girls' swim team, a member of the Best Buddies club, founder of the Silver Sparklers Spirit Squad, and loves to ride horses. Her peers and teammates are proud to be her friend." - Karen Droege, Teacher
Daishaun Wilbourn
Daishaun Wilbourn Maplewood-Richmond Heights High School Maplewood-Richmond Heights School District
"When Daishaun came to MRH in 2018, he was struggling on multiple levels. Over the past four years, he has come to understand that he is capable of more than he thought. He joined the MRH wrestling team (he placed 6th in the State this year!), as well as the soccer and track teams. As the first to volunteer and the first to defend a struggling peer, he is excelling as an athlete, teammate, and leader. After getting his first job at Schnucks this semester, he has continued to maintain his academics and sports commitments. He exemplifies the phrase “hard work pays off!”- Maggie Stockmann, Social Worker
Reed Durham
Damian Ewald
Jade Gillespie
Corey Howard
Dylan Kaiser
Da'Shaun Kemp
Dominic LaFiore
David Mertz
Adelaida Platon Acosta
Isabel Soriano
Gianna Southard
Micah Truelove-Herrick
Lily Walker
Hannah West
Daishaun Wilbourn