Sonya Smith, a college advisor at Hazelwood East High School, will receive the 2015 SEMO Counselor of the Year at the St. Louis American Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Education gala and awards ceremony on Sept. 25.
Smith decided to change her educational direction from teaching in the private sector to with working with high school students. She committed herself to assisting high school students   navigate through the college process, which can be intimidating if you are unfamiliar with the process. Smith found herself accessing the needs at Hazelwood school East by easing what seemed so obvious by providing a Free income tax preparation night, partnering with the St. Louis Metro Tax Coalition and Fifth Third Bank to help families with seniors in order to meet the completion of FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aid) by the first priority deadline March 1.
Smith’s greatest reward is seeing the faces of her students when they bring in their acceptance letters from college – that brings her joy. The students’ accomplishments are also her proudest achievements, she said.
Smith serves the school’s about 1,400 students. One of the students’ main concerns is finding money – particularly how to maximize the affordability of going to college. When she came to the district about three years ago, she found that many students had the desire to seek out their career paths but just needed direction in getting there. Â
She continues to work hard seeking out initiatives to help students at Hazelwood East as well as the Hazelwood School District community.
“My lifelong goal is to help all students where they are,” she said. “Being a part of assisting in that foundation to student success, is the greatest gift one could give and I’m proud to be a part of that process.”
Outstanding early childhood teacher
Almaz Staggs is this year’s recipient of the foundation’s PNC Bank Early Childhood Education Award. Staggs has been with the YWCA Head Start Program for over 20 years and is currently an educator at our YWCA North County Head Start location, where she teaches children between three to five years of age.
“The commitment that Mrs. Staggs has for early childhood education shows through the learning experiences and educational environment that she provides the children enrolled in her classroom,” said Natalie Redmond, senior center operations administrator of the YWCA’s Head Start program.
The YWCA Head Start Program is one of the largest Head Start programs in the four-state region.
Staggs’ classroom environment stands out, Redmond said, because she includes a variety of ethnic and cultural experiences, including clothing, foods, and daily music that represent other countries around the world.
“Often times, you will find students engaged in playing musical instruments as they dance in succinct to the music,” she said. “Mrs. Staggs encourages children to express themselves through a variety of oral and written communication activities that allow them to explore their cognizance.”
Children in her classroom also have the opportunity to experience early mathematics, creative expression, art, social studies, and technology.
“Entering the classroom of Mrs. Staggs is truly a life changing experience for all that have been granted the opportunity, both student and staff,” she said.
Net proceeds from the St. Louis American Foundation’s four annual Salute to Excellence events benefit scholarships for local minority students, as well as educator and community grants. In 2015, the St. Louis American Foundation will foster more than $580,000 in minority scholarships and community grants, and since its inception in 1994 the foundation, with the assistance of its educational, corporate and individual supporters, has distributed more than $4 million locally.
The 2015 Salute to Excellence in Education Gala will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, September 25 at the America’s Center Ballroom, following a reception at 6 p.m. Tickets are on sale now. Individual tickets are $85 each/$850 table, and VIP/Corporate tickets are $1,500 table. For more information or to purchase tickets, visitwww.stlamerican.com and click onÂ
