Forever Rockwood: May 29, 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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Gina Jensen (Eureka Class of 1989), director of forensics and debate, Webster University

Gina Jensen feels fortunate to have enojyed two different, distinct chapters of her Rockwood School District story.

As a student, she attended Kellison Elementary from kindergarten through sixth grade, Rockwood South Middle for seventh and eighth grade, Eureka Junior High for ninth grade, and Eureka High until graduation. As a parent, she participated in nearly every possible opportunity to enhance her children's education as they progressed through Kellison, Rockwood South and Rockwood Summit High.

Through both chapters, one thing has remained consistent.

"I am so grateful for our time in Rockwood and so grateful to the many teachers, principals, superintendents and staff members that we met along the way and who helped each of us have an incredible experience and get a grade-A education," she said.

As a student, Jensen especially enjoyed her four years of marching band with Ken Bodart. She was also a member of the Science Club and Quiz Bowl team.

"Mr. Bodart was a fabulous band director and really taught us life lessons along the way," she said. "I’ll never forget the parades we marched in, the football games we performed at during half time or playing our instruments during graduation."

After earning her degree, she stayed in the community to start a family. From the time her oldest daughter entered her first-grade classroom at Kellison, Jensen became fully engaged with serving Rockwood schools.

She started out as a classroom helper, party planner and field trip chaperone and served on the Kellison an Rockwood Summit parent-teacher organizations from 2011 to 2022. She and her husband, Scott, served as PSO co-presidents at Kellison and Rockwood Summit, and she also served as president of the Rockwood PTO Presidents' Forum.

"I loved being an active member of my children's education," she said. "It meant so much to me that it was a family affair.  I was fortunate to have the ability to help out at all three of their schools serving on different committees and helping at countless events. There were so many things that I loved during those days. I loved field day, the fifth-grade dinner, running the Scholastic Book Fair, track meets, field trips, PSO, Presidents’ Forum, being the class rep of the class of 2022, football and baseball games, dance performances, choir concerts and home runs hit over the fence.  So many memories made and so many incredible teachers and administrators."

Now that her children have graduated, she is fondly closing the book on both chapters.

"I consider it an immense privilege that my children and I attended the Rockwood schools," Jensen said. "As a student, we were taught by wonderful educators who helped us excel in all subjects. When I got to college, it was clear to me that my Rockwood education put me far ahead of the other students. The other thing that has always stayed with me about my time as a student is just how much the teachers cared for us and how even then we were doing hands-on learning.

"I have always worn my Rockwood education as a badge of honor, so much so that people roll their eyes when I once again tell them how incredible Rockwood is because I have told them so many times before."

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Amanda Ohlau (Rockwood Summit Class of 2018), police officer

From an early age, Amanda Ohlau knew she wanted to work in law enforcement.

As a Rockwood Summit student, she enrolled in the law enforcement progem at South Tech and flourished, serving as a lieutenant in her class and competing in SkillsUSA competitions at the district, state and national levels. She was SkillsUSA Missouri president during her senior year, placed first at Districts and States and earned a perfect score in placing first at Nationals, the first South Tech and Rockwood Summit student to accomplish this feat.

Looking back, the sixth-year law enforcement professional is grateful for the immersion in her career that she enjoyed during high school.

"Being at South Tech allowed me to gain valuable insights and skills related to this field. This unique educational journey enabled me to prepare for a potential career in law enforcement while receiving a well-rounded high school experience," she said. "This early exposure not only prepared me for my career but also allowed me to gain a competitive advantage, giving me a valuable head start in the field."

Ohlau was a Rockwood student from preschool through graduation, advancing through the Vandover Early Childhood Center, Kellison, Rockwood South and Rockwood Summit.

"Each of these educational stages has played a significant role in shaping my development," she said. "I am truly grateful for the foundation my Rockwood education has provided me."

In addition to her career in law enforcement, Ohlau is currently serving as Ms. Oklahoma Petite USA 2025 and will compete for the Ms. Petite USA title in July.

Her platform is "My 12," which focuses on supporting first responders and their families dealing with PTSD, trauma and suicide.

"In a profession often centered around the idea of watching one’s '6,' my mission is to ensure we also pay attention to our '12' —providing care and support to those who tirelessly serve and protect our communities," she said.

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Maddie Seitz (Lafayette Class of 2015), supply chain manager, Kohler

Maddie Seitz's time in Rockwood schools helped foster a lifelong love of learning.

She attened Chesterfield Elementary, Rockwood Valley Middle and Lafayette -- where her father, Gary, Seifert, also graduated in 1982 -- from kindergarten through 12th grade. She went to the Center for Creative Learning during elementary school and also had Talented and Gifted (TAG) curriculum implemented throughout her middle and high school years.

She played softball and continued her academic career at Penn State University, where she was able to graduate in three years thanks to the amount of credits she earned while still a Lafayette student. Now a supply chain manager for Kohler's kitchen and bath group, she will graduate with her MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Managament in June.

Seitz is receiving special honors at graduation and will be added to the Beta Sigma Gamma International Honor Society for select global business schools and students who are in the top 10 percent of their class. 

She and her husband, Jason, live in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and both work for Kohler. They enjoy spending time outside, house renovation projects, playing golf and coaching. In 2023, she earned the MAKE Award as one of 30 emerging leaders chosen from the thousands of nominations submitted to the Manufacturing Institute for making significant contributions to their companies, communities and efforts to cultivate the next generation of skilled talent.

"Rockwood education set the foundation to my life," she said. "It shaped me into the student, wife, friend, employee, coach and daughter I am today. I am so grateful for the high-caliber and diverse experiences I received through Rockwood."

Seitz has many fond memories from her time in Rockwood schools, including Young Author's Day -- when parents would join students to read books outside -- in elementary school and playing for the Lancers softball and basketball teams at Lafayette.

"Growing up near the high school, I looked up to so many of the players before me. When I finally got to be a part of the team, it was a dream come true," she said. "The teachers and staff were so supportive and amazing at all my Rockwood schools. When I reflect on my time, I still think about my teachers, coaches and administrative personnel who took the time to really know me and help me achieve my goals."

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Taylor Werges (Eureka Class of 2020), elementary school teacher

Rockwood has always held a special meaning for Taylor Werges.

Her father -- Eureka Police Chief Michael Werges -- brother and sister all graduated from Eureka High, and her younger brother will be a Wildcat next school year after advancing through LaSalle Springs Middle. Taylor herself was a Rockwood student from kindergarten through graduation, attending Eureka Elementary, LaSalle Springs and Eureka High.

So, as she looked to begin her career in education, one destination especially appealed to her.

"Going to Rockwood schools my whole life and wanting to be a teacher, I had no doubt in my mind that I wanted to return to Rockwood," she said. "Rockwood is such a big part of my family, and it has been a joy to work for the district that taught me so much. I truly feel Rockwood is my home."

Werges got her start as a second-grade teacher at Blevins Elementary this past school year and will be a fourth-grade teacher at Green Pines Elementary in 2025-2026.

While at Eureka High, Werges competed with the Wildcats cross country and track teams. Now, she's an assistant coach for both teams with her former head coach -- Darrell Lewis -- and was a part of the Eureka girls' state cross country championship in the fall, the program's first.

"I loved the friendships, camaraderie and perseverance that the sport taught me," she said. "Cross country camp was always my favorite because it was a time for us to grow as athletes but also as teammates. We had such great leadership from Coach Lewis, who made the team feel like a family. I get to coach with him, and it is such an honor. It has been amazing to see the program grow."