Students, area employers and Mehlville School District representatives recently packed the Two Hearts Banquet Center ballroom for the 39th annual Cooperative Occupational Education Employer Appreciation Breakfast.

The event provided an opportunity for students to thank their employers, and for the district to recognize students for their achievements in the COE programs, according to a Mehlville School District news release.

COE Director Mike Howard presented Outstanding Service Awards to nine students.

Each received a certificate of appreciation and a $50 gift certificate to Borders.

Mehlville Senior High School students earning the Outstanding Service Award were Brandi Hanes, Kristine Wattler, Catrina Dittmann, Alicia Roeschhoff, Becky Brannon and Megan Ess.

Earning the Outstanding Service Award from Oakville Senior High School were Katie Branstetter, Nate Hoffman and Jeremy Whiteley.

Retiring COE Marketing Coordinator Patrick Downey was presented with an official proclamation from the Missouri House of Representatives honoring him for his 31 years as a teacher.

Several students in the Distributive Education Clubs of America program received certificates for placing in the recent district competition and qualifying for the state competition, the news release stated.

Honored were Jason Brown, John Dunlap and Marshall Ray of Mehlville High, along with Sarah Bueltmann, Melissa Hummel, Jeanna Karsch, Katie Cooper and Kyra Rogan of Oakville High.

The Future Business Leaders of America also conducted its district competition recently, and several Mehlville School District students earned certificates for placing in that competition.

Honored were Vince Chau, Ryan Kreup, Haris Pilipovic and Becky Brannon of Mehlville High, along with Jeremy Whiteley, Arron Street, Courtney Clark and Shannon Jump of Oakville High.