The 2020 Mehlville School District Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees
Posted on 10/15/2020
The purpose of Mehlville School District’s Alumni Hall of Fame is to identify and celebrate graduates of the Mehlville School District (Mehlville High School and Oakville High School) who have made a lasting impact in the community or in the nation. Inductees will serve as role models for current and future generations of students who aspire to be productive citizens and demonstrate traits that align to the Mehlville School District Portrait of a Graduate Traits: creative and critical thinker; self-aware; persistent; communicator; and ethical and global.
The Alumni Hall of Fame Selection Committee has selected the following inductees for the 2020 Mehlville School District Alumni Hall of Fame:
Abdul-Kaba Abdullah, MHS '97, Civic Leader and Executive Director at Park Central Development. An esteemed civic leader, Abdullah is committed to improving St. Louis through community development and government affairs. Through Park Central Development, Abdullah strengthens St. Louis’s urban neighborhoods by attracting investments and maintaining equitable and vibrant urban neighborhoods and commercial districts.
Lieutenant Commander James B. Brendel, Jr., OHS '97, Supervisor of the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Cincinnati, Ohio. After enlisting 20 years ago, Lt. Cmdr. Brendel climbed the ranks in the U.S. Coast Guard while receiving numerous awards for service. He is currently responsible for port safety and enforcement in a three-state area including the Port of Cincinnati.
Dr. Desmond Kirchhofer, MHS '89, Superintendent of Northwest School District. Dr. Kirchhofer started his education career as a teacher and coach at Mehlville High School. The highly respected superintendent previously served as an administrator at three schools and deputy superintendent at Parkway Schools. Throughout his career, Dr. Kirchhofer has been a mentor to countless students and educators.
Bridgett Riley, OHS '89, Professional Stunt Woman and World Champion Kickboxer. Bridgett “Baby Doll” Riley has made a name for herself in the world of boxing, kickboxing, martial arts and Hollywood. A pioneer and mentor in female combat sports, Riley won the International Female Boxers Association bantamweight world championship title, is a five-time world kickboxing champion, is in the Black Belt Hall of Fame, and has numerous Hollywood stunt and acting credits.
Dr. Jason Wang, MHS '05, President, Owner and Pharmacist-in-Charge of Medicine Shoppe, Pevely and co-owner of Medicine Shoppe Affton. An award-winning pharmacist, Wang works to break barriers to care for underserved patients in his community. He is involved in numerous organizations including Pevely Lions Club and St. Louis College of Pharmacy Alumni Association. He is a mentor to both pharmacy students and students in his community.
Dr. Kristy Weber, MHS '83, Chief of Orthopaedic Oncology at Penn Medicine and Director of the Sarcoma Program in the Abramson Cancer Center. Dr. Weber is an innovator in diagnosing and treating bone and soft tissue tumors in children and adults. She has also served as the first female president of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, an organization that advances the highest quality musculoskeletal care for patients.
Typically Alumni Hall of Fame inductees are honored during an induction ceremony in the fall. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the induction ceremony will be postponed until the fall of 2021.
View members of the Mehlville School District Alumni Hall of Fame.