After receiving requests from members of the community, the Mehlville Board of Education unanimously approved renaming Beasley Elementary School’s playground and field “The Mr. Mike playground and field” in honor of longtime custodian Mike Edwards.
Edwards, known to students and staff as “Mr. Mike,” unexpectedly died in February.
“Mr. Mike was not only a long-time resident of the Mehlville School District, but also a dedicated and beloved employee. His sudden passing has deeply impacted the school and the surrounding community,” Lindsey DeRoy, Beasley Elementary School parent and Rogers Elementary School administrative assistant, wrote in her letter request. “Mr. Mike was much more than a hardworking custodian — he was a role model who devoted his time and heart to building meaningful relationships with students, staff and families. His commitment to Beasley earned him recognition as Classified Employee of the Year, along with numerous ‘Mehlville Mentions’ over the years.”
Aron “AJ” DeRoy, Beasley Elementary School class of 2017, also wrote a letter requesting the playground name change.
“Mr. Mike was more than just a janitor. He was an advice giver, a teacher, a caregiver and a good friend,” AJ wrote. “I don’t remember a bad day with him. He was always nice and it’s hard being that nice when having to deal with kids all day everyday, but he found a way to do it. Helping him feed the deer outside was the best part of the day because I got to do it with a friend.
“It was the little things that he did for not just me but other students that changed the way we went about our day,” AJ’s letter continued. “He is a great person and I would do anything to sit down and have one more conversation with him.”
Though this request was originally on the consent agenda at the board’s April 10 meeting, board president Peggy Hassler pulled the item, allowing her to read the two letters aloud. This was particulary meaningful as Edwards’ siblings – Patrick, Stephanie and Kelly – were in attendance.
“We are so sorry about your brother,” Hassler said. “We wanted to make sure that we honored the request of this teacher and student at Beasley, not to mention the rest of the community. I know that when you posted, Stephanie, on your Facebook page about your brother … the comments about him were unbelievable. I mean hundreds and hundreds and hundreds and just one story after another about what an absolutely wonderful person he was. We as a board really want to acknowledge him and appreciate all that he did. He clearly made an impact.”
