Missouri First Lady Teresa Parson Visits Chesterfield Elementary

On Thursday, March 14, Missouri First Lady Teresa Parson paid a visit to Chesterfield Elementary for a school assembly to help celebrate the school earning Missouri Gold Star and National Blue Ribbon school status for 2023.

First Lady Parson presented Chesterfield principal Cody Dusenberry and assistant principal Dr. Theresa Rose, Rockwood Superintendent Dr. Curtis Cain and Board members Izzy Imig and Tamara Jo Rhomberg with proclamations celebrating Chesterfield's success, on behalf of Governor Mike Parson.

"Your administrators, your board, your teachers, each one of you -- all the staff around the school -- it takes all of you to have received this award," First Lady Parson said. "It is quite an accomplishment. The governor and I appreciate, so much, the commitment, and we commend you all: each one of you."

Chesterfield is one of only 353 National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2023 and one of only eight from Missouri. 

Students helped introduce speakers during the assembly, and the school choir also performed for the crowd.

"I want you to know how proud we are of you," Cain said. "This award is only possible because of the work you are engaging in each and every day: all students, all staff, the entire Chesterfield community coming together. We're so very, very proud of you. You really, really shine."

The assembly also served as the culmination of a service learning project that Chesterfield students have been engaging with during this school year.

Kate Johnson, a Lafayette High graduate and former Chesterfield student, was diagnosed with sarcoma last year. The school "adopted" her this year by learning about sarcoma, and the school's Student Lighthouse team of leaders -- composed of around 80 students from third through fifth grade -- made cards for her and posters to place in her yard during treatment.

The whole school also participated in a "penny war" fundraiser that raised around $2,200. The school spent $1,200 of that on toys, books, crafts and plush animals to donate to St. Louis Children's Hospital in Johnson's honor. 

The school donated the remaining $1,000 to Johnson's foundation, Kate's Krew, with proceeds going toward research to find a cure. Johnson and her family were on hand Thursday for a check presentation, as well as to share their gratitude with the students, staff and Chesterfield community.