Each year, The Crestwood-Sunset Hills Chamber of Commerce honors one 7th or 8th grade student from each of our local elementary/middle schools at the June luncheon. These outstanding students are selected by their principal. The students receive a Chamber plaque and a $50 U.S. Savings Bond by their individual sponsors. Following is some information of the 2010 outstanding students.

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Abigail Isom is an outstanding student who just graduated from Sperreng Middle School. She has performed in the St. Louis Muny for seven years, and was cast as the title role in Annie during the Muny's 91st season. She also performs at Stages St. Louis. She received the Triple Crown award at Sperreng for her excellent service hours, excellent academic scores, and excellent physical fitness. She is looking forward to being a freshman at Visitation Academy in the fall. Abigail was sponsored by American Eagle Credit Union and received a Chamber Certificate and a $50 U.S. Savings Bond.

St. Justin the Martyr

Mary Kennedy

Mary Kennedy has attended St. Justin Martyr School since second grade when her parish school of St. Elizabeth of Hungary was closed. Mary loves doing service in her parish, school, and in the community whenever possible. Mary has been a member of St. Justin's STUCO which means she helps plan and work many fundraisers. She has been a Girl Scout since Kindergarten. She donated time after the tornado in January in Sunset Hills helping clean up yards in her community. As you can see, service is very important to Mary, and it is a major reason she has decided to attend Ursuline Academy in the fall, where she will be able to focus on many service-related projects. Mary was sponsored by Anne Horner, CPA and received a Chamber Certificate and a $50 U.S. Savings Bond.

Our Lady of Providence

Brian Kissel

The Crestwood-Sunset Hills Chamber of Commerce was pleased to honor another Student of the Year selected by the Principal's office of their grade schools. Brian is a recent graduate from Our Lady of Providence School where he was selected to receive the Chamber's Student of the Year award by his principal and teachers because of his academic accomplishments and his willingness to be of service to his school and the community. Brian received the Presidential Education Award for having an A average since the 4th grade and for his high scores on achievement tests. At school, Brian has participated in many activities including sports (lacrosse, basketball, volleyball, soccer and baseball) and parish community service events. He was nominated for the South County CYC Scholarship for his leadership, academic, and athletic ability. He is very active in the Boy Scouts and is currently the Senior Patrol Leader. Last September he earned his Eagle Scout rank. He is looking forward to attending St. Louis University High School in the fall. Brian was sponsored by the Crestwood-Sunset Hills Rotary Club and received a Chamber Certificate and a $50 U.S. Savings Bond.

Thomas Jefferson School

Meghana Bharaduaj

Meghana Bharadwaj is entering 8th grade at Thomas Jefferson School. This past year she achieved High Honors in Latin 1, Algebra 1, English, Earth and Environmental Science, Social Studies and World Cultures, and Instrumental Instincts. She also served as Student Admissions Assistant. On her list of after school activities, she enjoys volleyball, soccer, and yoga.
Outside of school, Meghana takes Indian Classical Dance lessons and has participated in many performances. In fact this summer she traveled home to India to take more lessons. When not dancing, Meghana also excels in piano, takes singing lessons and is very fond of hip-hop.
Last fall Meghana decided that there are just too many kids throughout the world who haven’Äôt had the advantages that she has been given. So, she and a couple of friends organized "Just For Kids", so that they could make a difference in the lives of less fortunate young people. Since last October they have raised $1,000 through seven bake sales, a garage sale, and a jewelry sale. They used their profits to replace an asbestos roof on a small building in a school called Dheenabandu Ashram (A place for helping others) in the community of Valagapet, India. Just For Kids' goal now is to complete their website so that other kids can join them in their work.
On the other end of the spectrum, Meghana also volunteers twice a month to help the elderly at Sunrise Assisted Living. She also volunteers at St. Joseph's Academy helping with autistic kids, leading art and physical education classes or just playing games. As you can see, Meghana is quite a busy young lady and well deserving of the Chamber's Student of the Year from Thomas Jefferson School.