“As Soon As They Walk In the Door, They’re Mehlville"

Any hoping for fireworks at Thursday night's Mehlville meeting on school transfers from Riverview Gardens School District were sorely disappointed.

The largest round of applause went to Trey Marlette, the soft-spoken-yet-self-assured Boy Scout who approached the Mehlville School Board when the president called for the last speaker of the night. Combining brazen youthfulness with a heart for community, Trey asked (to paraphrase) — Just what's the big deal anyway?

“I just wanted to say that I personally don’t see what the problem is with the new students,” the Oakville High School junior told the Mehlville School Board. “We get new students to the district every year, and the ones that I know don’t have a problem merging with the students here.”

Trey referenced a fellow student quoted in a St. Louis Beacon story, saying, “As soon as they walk into the door, they’re Mehlville.” (The actual quote is by Mehlville High School senior Kaitlyn Krejci.)

“We should welcome these new students as our own and support them every step,” Trey said.

What do you think of Trey's speech to the school board? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!