Class of 2026 Senior Spotlight: Zyere Fisher, Rockwood Summit High

Zyere Fisher transferred into the Rockwood School District before second grade. At Kellison Elementary, teacher Bridget Brady immediately made him feel welcome and at home with his new classmates. The next year, third-grade teacher Amanda Boyle provided the same kind of atmosphere for Fisher.

Then, he had Boyle again for fifth grade.

“I said it was because she wanted to see me again,” Fisher said, with a laugh. “Ms. Brady was so supportive and helped me get acclimated to a new environment when I was the new kid. And Ms. Boyle was always there for me. My experience in Rockwood has helped me for the better. They’ve been really supportive of all of my endeavors.”

Fisher earned a full-ride scholarship to Washington University in St. Louis, where he hopes to study biology with a focus on philosophy, neuroscience and psychology.

His mother was a certified nursing assistant, and Fisher said many of his family members have been involved with the medical field. He also hopes to earn his pharmacy technician certificate this summer.

“I’ve always been interested in the medical field, fascinated by the human body,” he said. “I want to help people out and be there for them for all the difficult jargon of medicine and help explain their best options and how I can support them in any way I can.”

Fisher is co-president of the Health Sciences Club at Rockwood Summit and participated in a career shadowing experience on WashU Medicine’s BJC Institute of Health, during which university fellows demonstrated for the students how to suture and perform a colonoscopy and laparoscopy.

He also hopes to minor in Latin American Studies and study abroad during his time in college. His time in the school’s Latino Student Alliance and Dignity and Belonging Club and Spanish classes with Kimberly Lackey and Cady Villmer have helped broaden Fisher’s interest in other cultures.

“I love learning about different cultures,” he said. “It’s such a beautiful thing of being there for each other and supporting each other and wanting traditions to survive because it’s a part of their heritage.”

Fisher also attended Rockwood South Middle – where English language arts teacher Laura Frisch and physical education teacher Doug Robinson especially stood out to him – and has kept a packed schedule during his four years at Rockwood Summit.

He was in Student Council for four years, serving as Spirit Chair, Link Crew and is vice president of National Honor Society and co-director of the Renaissance academic recognition club.

Fisher is also part of the Falcons orchestra and has played strings for the past 10 years, the first six on violin before moving to cello and bass.

“I love it, being in the community of people who are musically inclined and doing fun things with my friends,” he said.

Just as his Kellison teachers got him off to a warm, welcoming start in Rockwood, educators such as senior class principal Dr. Kelly Mignerone, English language arts teacher Noelle Rocklage, social studies teacher Mary Jo Bauer and math teacher Gayle Piepho have provided valuable support and guidance during his time at Rockwood Summit.

Even when the support and guidance involved reminding Fisher that he is smart and capable enough to handle some things on his own.

“Ms. Piepho made you dig deep in your own mind so you could figure out problems yourself. You always want to lean on somebody for help, but she taught me to rely on myself instead of leaning on other people,” Fisher said. “All the teachers, really, I love them so much.”