Forever Rockwood: Sept. 30, 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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Laura Stroot (Lafayette Class of 2001), assistant principal, Ballwin Elementary

After a standout academic and athletic career at Lafayette -- including earning Gatorade's Missouri Girls Soccer Player of the Year award -- Laura Stroot went on to play Division I soccer and earn her degree in education at the University of Texas.

She earned two master's degrees -- in education and administration -- and her educational specialist degree at Southwest Baptist University and taught at Eureka, Kellison and Babler elementary schools before becoming assistant principal at Ballwin. 

"I'm lucky enough to have been in all four quadrants," said Stroot, who also attended Rockwood Valley Middle. "Throughout my time in Rockwood, I was lucky enough to have many memorable teachers. Those teachers pushed me to not only be a better student but a better human and to always strive for excellence!"

Stroot married her high-school sweetheart from Lafayette, and they have two daughters currently attending Rockwood schools: one at Lafayette and one at Rockwood Valley.

"I would love to go back in time and thank all my educators: my custodians, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, teachers and coaches!" she said. "Everyone plays a part in your story and wants your story to unfold with the greatest intentions! So be kind, look up and let the puzzle pieces fall into place! Build trust! I know they cared, and so do we!"

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Jamie Wertheimer (Rockwood Summit Class of 2004), administrative assistant, Rockwood South Middle

Jamie Wertheimer enjoyed a Rockwood education from preschool through graduation, attending the Vandover Early Childhood Center, Kellison, Rockwood South Middle and Rockwood Summit High.

As an administrative assistant at Rockwood South, she still enjoys interacting with -- and sometimes working alongside -- her former educators.

"The teachers at Rockwood believed in me and pushed me to go further than I ever thought I could," Wertheimer said. "I still run into one of my retired elementary teachers, and every time we talk it feels like no time has passed. I even get to work alongside some of the same teachers I once had at Rockwood South. It’s been fun to see how our relationships have grown and changed, even if I still struggle to call them by their first names. It's the small, everyday moments that reminded me how much I belong here."

Wertheimer, who met her future husband as a Summit student, said she cherishes the connections she has made during her time as a Rockwood student and staff member.

"I appreciate the friendships I've made and the people who supported me every step of the way," she said. "My time in Rockwood has helped me grow in ways I’ll always be grateful for. I’ve learned to believe in myself, to keep going even when things are hard and to stay curious about the world around me. I know these lessons will stay with me as I move forward."

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Ashley Wiedman (Rockwood Summit Class of 2006), assistant principal, Rockwood Valley Middle

After more than a decade as a middle-school teacher, Ashley Wiedman returned to Rockwood and is now in her second year as an assistant principal at Rockwood Valley.

"My Rockwood education prepared me with the resources, tools and curriculum to be successful in college," she said. "The relationships I formed with staff and friendships I made stick with me the most. I have so many great memories from my time at Summit!"