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Announcing the Selected 2026-2027 Fred Saigh Leadership Academy & Junior Leaders Pilot Classes

kids smiling with hands together

The Special Education Foundation (SEF) is proud to announce the students selected for the Fred Saigh Leadership Academy Class of 2027 as well as the students participating in the Foundation's inaugural Junior Leaders Pilot Program. These innovative leadership initiatives are designed to empower students served by the Special School District with the skills, confidence, and experiences needed to become self-advocates, leaders, and engaged members of their communities.

 

Both programs reflect SEF's commitment to expanding meaningful life opportunities and helping students build the tools necessary for future success.

 

Fred Saigh Leadership Academy Class of 2027

Now entering another exciting year, the Fred Saigh Leadership Academy continues to provide high school students with disabilities a unique opportunity to develop leadership skills through hands-on learning, mentorship, and community engagement.

Miles Bakai of Brentwood High School

Brentwood School District

 

Anthony Dodson of Affton High School

Affton School District

 

Asia Evans of Normandy High School

 

Normandy Collaborative School District

 

Erin Lendhardt of STEAM Academy at MSB

Ferguson-Florissant School District

 

Ja'den Meadows of Normandy High School

 

Normandy Collaborative School District

 

Dakari Moore of Riverview Gardens High School

 

Riverview Gardens School District

 

Myles Pollack of Webster Groves High School

 

Webster Groves School District

 

Mya St. Clair of Affton High School

 

Affton School District

 

Charlie Wan of Ladue Horton Watkins High School

Ladue School District

The Fred Saigh Leadership Academy has become one of SEF's signature programs, helping students prepare for adulthood while fostering independence, responsibility, and personal growth. Graduates leave the program with valuable skills that support future educational, employment, and community involvement opportunities.

Introducing the Junior Leaders Pilot Program

This year also marks an exciting milestone as SEF launches its first-ever Junior Leaders Academy Pilot Program, designed specifically for middle school students who are ready to begin developing leadership skills earlier in their educational journey.

Hardy "Tre" Carter III of Pattonville Heights Middle School

Pattonville School District

 

Gabrielle Cunningham of Barrington Elementary School

Hazelwood School District 

 

Anna Downs of Pattonville Heights Middle School

Pattonville School District

 

Wade Hanna of VSP Bayer Chesterfield

Special School District

 

Jacion Henderson of Brittany Woods Middle School

University City School District

 

Serenity McCoy of Valley Park Middle School

Valley Park School District

 

Kameron Richardson of Holman Middle School

Pattonville School District

 

Kensley Stone of Truman Middle School

Lindbergh School District

 

The Junior Leaders Academy Pilot Program serves as an introduction to leadership development, focusing on confidence-building, teamwork, communication, goal setting, and self-awareness. Participants will engage in age-appropriate activities that encourage them to recognize their strengths, build friendships, and practice leadership in everyday situations.

 

Investing in Tomorrow's Leaders

Both the Fred Saigh Leadership Academy and the Junior Leaders Pilot Program demonstrate the Special Education Foundation's belief that every student has the potential to lead.

 

By providing opportunities to develop confidence, communication skills, self-advocacy, and community connections, these programs help students build a strong foundation for future independence and success.

 

We congratulate all students selected for the Fred Saigh Leadership Academy Class of 2027 and Junior Leaders Pilot Program. We look forward to celebrating their accomplishments and watching them grow into the next generation of leaders.

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