Wyatt Byers

Washington University in St. Louis

Journalism

I’ve been a KSD student for all 13 years of my education. While I’ve appreciated the clubs, traditions and communities it has to offer, the greatest mark Kirkwood left on me was from the teachers and staff. I’d like to use this as an opportunity to thank them. 

Keysor

Thank you to Mrs. McCracken for introducing me to the friends I have known the longest. Thank you to Mrs. Randazzo for my first ‘2’ on a report card. Thank you to Mrs. Lang for helping me create all of the artwork Mom and Dad still keep. Thank you Mr. Krena for having Minecraft in the classroom. Thank you to Mrs. Smart for living up to your name, and thank you to the principals, Dr. Painter and Dr. Hogg, for your leadership and patience at Keysor.

NKMS

Thank you Mrs. Ducote for math test parties. I really needed your enthusiasm during my transition into NKMS. Thank you Mrs. Lancaster for a great half-year, and thank you Mrs. Yahng for filling in the other half. Thank you Luch for being Luch. Thank you Dr. Moore for the chickens, and thank you Mr. Hooker for being the best teacher I never had. Thank you Mrs. Wurth for helping me get through Algebra I. Thank you Dr. Schene for making the cafeteria stage feel like Broadway, and thank you Mr. Johnson for making middle school band feel like “Whiplash.” Finally, thank you Mrs. Owens and Mr. Jansen for thriving in the most difficult job ever: middle school emotional counseling. 

KHS

Thank you Frau Bowman for the funniest class I’ve ever taken. Thank you to Herr Anderson for being a close second. Thank you Mrs. Coronado for your endless support. Thank you to all of the band teachers, especially Mr. Bicklein. Thank you Mrs. Nevins for playing “Wordle” with me every morning. Thank you to the substitutes for your service and kindness. Thank you Dr. Turley for being a great ball of sunshine, and thank you Mr. Thornberry for Wednesday trivia. Thank you StragDad and all the other Mock Trial coaches for your mentorship. Thank you Mr. Stoner for your countless stories. Thank you Dr. Barker and Mr. Bartin for putting up with Kirkwood’s loudest students. Thank you Eden for supporting fun stories like this one. Thank you Coach Maclin and McWoods for your motivation. And thank you Dr. Gavin and Dr. Havener for the impression you left on the class of 2023.  

Thank you Kirkwood schools for teaching me how to be me.