Every year since 1988, the Special School District of St. Louis County (SSD) has honored a select few hardworking students with the Rosemary Zander Award. This year’s recipients include three from South County: Henry Burton of Kennerly Elementary (Lindbergh Schools), Bella Moss of Buerkle Middle School (Mehlville School District) and Madi Hufker of both South Technical High School and Oakville High School.
Chosen each year by a panel of SSD judges, recipients are recognized for their accomplishments in academics, arts, athletics, communications, vocational training, employment, independent living skills, community service and extracurricular activities.
Henry Burton is a first grade student at Kennerly, making him one of the younger recipients of the award this year.
“We have never met a child so patiently persistent as Henry. When faced with a challenge, he continues to work at it until he succeeds. He also is the sweetest child with the biggest heart and funniest sense of humor. He makes us laugh and brings us joy every day. It has been so exciting to see him light up when we mention him earning this award and to see his pride in all he has accomplished,” Henry’s parents, Anna and Peter Burton, shared.
Per Anna, Henry is “very excited for the ceremony” that will be held later this month to honor the accomplishments of this year’s Rosemary Zander Award recipients. She shared that receiving an engraved award that he can put on his bedroom shelf, along with wearing his new navy blue polo shirt that matches his favorite of his dad’s work shirts, will be highlights of the evening for Henry.
“The nomination essay written by Mrs. (Christa) Payton, with input from various members of his team, was so meaningful to us as parents that winning the award has been an exciting bonus. To read such wonderful things about our child and know that he is recognized for his progress and perseverance, as well as appreciated for the special boy that he is, brought us so much joy. The essay moved us to tears and reaffirmed that he is part of an amazing community and surrounded by a team that will help him continue to meet his goals and soar,” the Bartons said.
Anna then thanked “everyone who has supported Henry is his journey to today.”
“From the Mercy NICU staff to the First Steps therapists, Ranken Jordan therapists, Ambrose Family Center teachers/therapists, therapists in his various intensives, to his present day team — we cannot thank them enough for all they have done for Henry and our family,” she said.
Bella Moss is a sixth grade student at Buerkle Middle School. She was co-nominated by her current teacher, Danielle Soltani, and Tammy Blust, her elementary school literacy specialist.
“I heard they were nominating me, but I didn’t know I was going to win, so it was a surprise,” Bella said.
“In all my years, this is my 18th year, I’ve never actually nominated anyone, so Bella is my first one,” Soltani added. “Bella’s a super hard worker. It’s an intervention class that she’s in with me, so it takes the place of an elective, a fun class, although I like to say we have fun. Lots of times kids don’t love that they are missing one of those classes for an intervention, but she is a very hard worker. She pushes herself. She’s very self-motivated.”
In addition to her academic strength, Bella is also very engaged with her community. In her free time, she coaches Girls on the Run, is a member of Cub Scouts and does gymnastics. At school, Bella participates in Best Buddies — a club that establishes one-to-one friendships between students with and without intellectual and/or developmental disabilities — and student council.
“She’s very involved in her community for her age. I feel like she sees the need to help at a larger scale and she’s just very involved in all the things that kind of make up that award outside of school, too,” Soltani said.
Madi Hufker, a senior enrolled at both South Technical High School — which is a part of SSD — and OHS was nominated for her academic achievements and involvement in the community. Ashli Lograsso, Hufker’s cosmetology instructor at South Tech, referenced the senior’s genuine passion for helping others and her exceptional leadership in the classroom, all while balancing three jobs and multiple volunteer positions.
“What distinguishes her is not only her natural talents, but her exceptional work ethic and determination to continually improve herself and support others around her. Demonstrating maturity well beyond the high school level, Madi has become a trusted mentor and a pillar of support for her fellow students. I am so proud to have been a part of Madi’s education and she is so deserving of this recognition,” Lograsso said.
“I was so honored that she felt that she could trust me with this. It’s just a big, ‘kudos to you, thank you for doing what you do,’” Hufker said. “South Tech is honestly such a blessing. I get to learn trades … It’s just such a nice thing to have in your back pocket. You get to meet such a great group of people. I recommend it to everybody. It’s so nice to learn so many different things.”
All Rosemary Zander winners — these three students, along with five others from across St. Louis County — will be honored at the Inspring Futures ceremony on April 23. The event will be held at the Clark Branch of the St. Louis County Library, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd., from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
