Kirkwood Elementary Schools Take Top Spots in 2025 Area Wide Battle of the Books

On Thursday, May 15, elementary students from the Kirkwood School District (KSD) competed in the annual St. Louis Battle of the Books competition, held at Dressel Elementary School. Out of 21 teams from across the St. Louis region, all five KSD elementary schools placed in the Top 10.

Robinson Elementary earned 3rd place overall, followed by Keysor in 4th, Westchester in 5th, North Glendale in 7th, and Tillman in 8th.

Robinson Elementary’s team included Hannah Beaudean, Shannon Blinn, Sami Emmert, Charlotte Grant, Wilson Mitchell, Freya Naydenov, Clara Rodemann, Kate Rodriguez, Deena Schaerer, and Claire Van Alstyne. The team was coached by Library Media Specialist Kristin Davis.

The Keysor Elementary team members were Brennan Stewart, Owen Wilhelm, Lincoln Jackson, Lexie Luckett, Mavis Bedwell, Parvati Kirtane, Caitlin Weale, Eleanor Johnisee, Eli Righton-Ives, and Vallari Gandhi.

Representing Westchester Elementary were Aubrey McCart, Nina VanSlette, Sydney Schleiffarth, Corwin Yu, Olivia Ayers, Violet Reimer, Emily Simmons, Clara Holland, C.S. Biedenstein, Kate Renz, and Annabelle Langley. The team was led by Library Media Specialist Amy Cobb.

North Glendale’s team included Mary Weitekamp, Miriam Austin, Ryan Bussen, Hank Graham, Rahma Abdullahi, Danica Warmbrodt, Lucas Volk, Anderson Valenti, Paul Wellinghoff, and Rumaysa Abdullahi.

Tillman Elementary was represented by Emma Daugherty, Adri Dbritto, Caroline Feuerbacher, Daniel Fischer, Grace Follett, Allison Hurtt, Birdie Kelley, Aylin Sanli, Keva Son, and Sawyer van Bergen. Library Media Specialist Elizabeth Curtis served as the team’s coach.

The St. Louis Battle of the Books promotes a love of reading among students in grades 3–5 by encouraging them to read a curated list of ten books spanning multiple genres and themes. Students demonstrate their knowledge of characters, plots, and settings through a series of competitive quiz-style challenges. Participation also fosters teamwork and dedication as each school team, comprised of ten students, prepares extensively for the competition with guidance and support from their school’s Library Media Specialist.