Thirteen Gateway Young Achievers of 2008

1. Lara Bakula, Fenton, 5th grade, Kellison Elementary School. Lara is a straight A student and in the school's special chorus. She is in the Rockwood Talented and Gifted Program and has had her art pieces displayed in the district art fair. She, her twin sister, Sara, and three others won the "most creative award" at the Creative Challenge Cup at Washington University. She swims and dances competitively and plays the piano.

2. Katie Bayer, St. Louis, 8th grade, Oakville Middle School. Katie is on the school's honor roll and participates in the Junior Honor Society and the Duke University TIP program. At her home parish, she is a cantor for the Children's Choir. She is first flute in the Symphonic Band and is in the school's Concert Band. She received an "award of distinction" from the Kiwanis Club for 50 hours of community service.

4. Meghan Danielle Chac, Fenton, 5th grade, Kellison Elementary School. Meghan attends the Rockwood's Center for Creative Learning and is a straight A student. Her group took 1st place at the Washington University Academy Challenge Cup. Meghan plays select soccer for Missouri Premier and plays softball. She is also in the Special Chorus.

5. Torey Dunlap, St. Louis, 6th grade, McKinley Classical Leadership Academy. Torey has a 3.5 GPA and is in the Mathematics Education for Gifted Secondary Students. She's also in the school's Concert Choir and in Girl Scouts. She plays the violin and the keyboard. She hopes to have a career in the culinary arts and wants to own her own restaurant.

7. Alexander Kehm, Fenton, 8th grade, Rockwood South Middle School. Alex is in the school's Talented and Gifted program and a member of the Student Council. He represented Rockwood South as a viola player in the all-district Honors Orchestra. His team won the 2007 West County Soccer League. He also founded Fenton Passback, an organization committed to providing soccer equipment to underprivileged kids.

8. Mary Ann McCain, Ballwin, 7th grader, Parkway Southwest Middle School. She was selected as one of 20 young divers in the U.S. to train for the 2012 Olympics and competes internationally in both springboard and tower diving. She's also a 7-year national winner at Piano Guild. She also plays viola in the All-Suburban Orchestra and the YMCA Youth Orchestra. She's served as student body president and has monthly service projects.

9. Claire E. Rembecki, Sullivan, MO, 8th grade, St. Anthony's School. Claire is a straight A student and vice-president of the Student Council. Last year, she won a Citizen of the Month award and was selected as a teacher of dance for the School of Performing Arts. She had a lead role in summer drama and science camps in 2007. As a volunteer, she was a teacher's assistant at an adult education computer class as well as a volleyball coaching assistant. Claire was a lector and server at her church.