Forever Rockwood: March 21, 2025

"Forever Rockwood" is a series in which the Rockwood School District features alumni from Eureka, Lafayette, Marquette and Rockwood Summit high schools who make a lasting impact on their communities.

Read some of their stories below. If you have a "Forever Rockwood" candidate in mind, please send information about them to commdept@rsdmo.org.

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Kerri Owens (Eureka Class of 1995), preschool teacher, Rockwood Early Childhood-Clarkson Valley

Kerri Owens and her husband, a 1993 Eureka graduate, enjoyed such a positive experience as students in the Rockwood School District that they wanted their children to experience the same thing.

Owens attended Stanton Elementary for fifth grade before advancing through Rockwood South Junior High and Eureka.

"I am very fortunate that most of my education was in the Rockwood School District," Owens said. "I stayed in the area specifically to raise my own children in the amazing district that I attended and now teach (at the Clarkson Valley Early Childhood center)! I thoroughly enjoy watching our youngest learners succeed. I especially love seeing how my students grow to be young adults in our community: Several of them are educators now!"

Owens' oldest son will be graduating from Eureka in May.

"I have many fond memories of my educators, inspiring classes that I took and cheering for football games at Eureka High School," Owens said. "I was fortunate to have made -- and still have -- close, lifelong friends from my younger years in our district."

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Wildwood Middle Rockwood Alumni

More than a dozen Rockwood graduates work with the next generation of students as staff members at Wildwood Middle. Hear from four of them about how their Rockwood experience helped shape them as students, alumni and -- now -- educators.

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Victoria Kombrink (Eureka Class of 1987), world history teacher

Grades/Rockwood schools attended: 2-12; Geggie Elementary, Eureka Junior High, Eureka

"I enjoyed the small-town feel of the schools in Eureka and the amazing teachers that set me up for success. My teachers are one of the main reasons I decided to go into education! 

"The things that stick with me the most from my time in Rockwood are my incredible students and my fellow educators. I have had the privilege to work with some of the best during my time at Rockwood Valley and Wildwood. They give so much of their time and energy to support students and each other. My favorite memories include many sixth-grade camp experiences and our annual Greek Olympics."

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Melissa Meier (Marquette High Class of 1999), math teacher

Grades/Rockwood Schools Attended: K-12; Pond Elementary (K-2), Babler Elementary (3-4, moved over when school opened), Ridge Meadows Elementary (5-6, part of the last class of Rockwood sixth-graders in elementary schools), Crestview Middle, Marquette

"My mom told me growing up that Rockwood is the best education you can get in St. Louis County, and she would do anything to be sure we went there. I suppose that has stuck with me because when I bought my house, I wasn't even married yet but I knew it had to be in the Rockwood School District because that is where I wanted my kids to go! And now they do: my son is a third-grader at Woerther Elementary, and my daughter is a sixth-grader at Selvidge Middle. I also knew I wanted to be a teacher, and the only district I wanted to teach in was Rockwood. I was a CA (technology teacher) at Babler for two years and have been the seventh-grade math teacher at Wildwood for the last three. Rockwood holds a lot of memories for me, and I hope to continue to build these memories and create a space for my students to look back and be proud of where they came from. 

"Some of my lifelong friends have come from Crestview and Marquette, and I also played basketball for Marquette."

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Lexie Robertson (Marquette High Class of 2011), special education teacher

Grades/Rockwood schools attended: K-12; Wild Horse Elementary (part of the first class to attend Wild Horse all the way from K-5), Crestview, Marquette

"My Rockwood education helped me be successful in college, through my master's, and helped with my ability to problem-solve and use critical-thinking skills."

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Luke Thuston (Eureka Class of 2009), assistant principal

Grades/Rockwood schools attended: K-12; Eureka Elementary (K-2), Blevins Elementary (3-5, moved over when the school opened), LaSalle Springs Middle, Eureka

"When I reflect on my educational journey from K-12, I always felt safe, welcomed and valued in every school I attended. Today, I have colleagues who were once my teachers, and it is because of their impact on my life that I chose to pursue a career in education.   

"I have several core memories from my time in school, from the Jefferson City field trip in fourth grade to the excitement of track meets and volleyball games in middle school. In ninth grade, Mr. Baumstark’s English class sparked my love for reading, while Coach Tom Sumner’s weightlifting class taught me the true meaning of hard work. And, of course, playing football on Friday nights in Eureka, home to the best gameday atmosphere Missouri has to offer, remains an unforgettable experience."