![Watching a small group scrimmage, Ben Lundt, St. Louis City SC goalkeeper and founder of Lundt Pro Soccer Training, shouts words of encouragement to players on Sunday, April 26 n the Lafayette grass soccer field. “The idea behind [the event] was to bring the professional soccer players closer to the community because usually people only get to see us on TV or in the stadium. [Families] actually having the opportunity to have their kids on the field with us is the most important aspect,” Ben Lundt said.](https://lancerfeed.press/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6823-1200x800.jpg)
![In celebration of winning his second straight state title in the 215 weight class, junior Carter Brown backflips before leaving the mat. Brown won his bout against junior Kobe Rhymes of North Kansas City High School by fall in just 41 seconds. "Carter does what Carter does. We expect [success] out of him and his goals are bigger than the state championship," coach Sam Ritchie said.](https://lancerfeed.press/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_2784-1200x800.jpg)
ROSE Award nominees announced, winners being announced this week
March 2, 2021
Evan Coonrod, Meghan O’Donnell and Cheryl Zimmerman are Lafayette’s ROSE Award nominees for 2021. The ROSE Award stands for Rockwood Outstanding Service in Education and honors students, teachers and faculty in the Rockwood School District who have demonstrated leadership, excellence of character, performance, and service. The school district also recognizes Rockwood’s Teachers of the Year, Cornerstone Award recipients, Service Award recipients and retirees at the event.
Nominee Cheryl Zimmerman teaches secondary math at Lafayette. Nominee Meghan O’Donnell is in her sixth year of teaching Fine Arts at Lafayette. She is also the sponsor of Photography Club and Podcast Club.
O’Donnell said, “The Rose Award is one of the district’s highest honors and to be nominated, especially this year, is one of the highlights of my career. I am humbled and honored to be mentioned next to such selfless, kind, inspirational leaders in our community.”
250 nominations were submitted online up until Jan. 28 and are now being considered by the ROSE Committee. The Committee carefully reviews each submitted nomination and the reasoning behind the said nomination. They will then choose up to 15 finalists throughout the district.
People who are eligible to nominate or become nominated include clerical and classroom assistants, community members/representatives, custodians, food service workers, guidance counselors, maintenance, non-teaching professional staff, nurses, parent organization members, secretaries, school volunteers, teachers, administrators, principals, and transportation personnel.
Committee chairs and past ROSE recipients are not eligible. Additionally, students also are not eligible for the ROSE Award. However, they may be considered for a Board Award instead.
Since 2000, Nichole Ballard-Long; librarian, Dave Cugier, teacher; Susanne Jessen; custodian and David Wicks; SSD teacher have won the ROSE Award at Lafayette.
In March, the Committee will award 15 people with the ROSE Award. The winners will be contacted in February and will be rewarded with roses and balloons, during school in early March. Winners and their families will be invited to attend the 32nd annual ROSE Award Ceremony and Dinner on Sunday, May 2 at the DoubleTree Hotel St. Louis in Chesterfield.
During the ROSE Award Ceremony and Dinner, a presenter introduces each ROSE recipient with a two-minute summary of what makes them a role model in our community. Rockwood Communications will secretly invite this presenter to perform this role and will not release their identity until the moment of introduction, making it a surprise for all attending and watching online.
![Watching a small group scrimmage, Ben Lundt, St. Louis City SC goalkeeper and founder of Lundt Pro Soccer Training, shouts words of encouragement to players on Sunday, April 26 n the Lafayette grass soccer field. “The idea behind [the event] was to bring the professional soccer players closer to the community because usually people only get to see us on TV or in the stadium. [Families] actually having the opportunity to have their kids on the field with us is the most important aspect,” Ben Lundt said.](https://lancerfeed.press/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6823-300x200.jpg)
