When Jen McGlasson started her first business, she had no idea where it would take her. In November of 2008, McGlasson started a photo album designing company. She said that while the business got off to a great start, soon after, the economy crashed. Stumbling blocks “I kept it going to see if I could make it work,” she said. “I tried as hard as I could, and it just never really picked up, unfortunately.” At that time, McGlasson decided to start working a part-time job to help cover the loss of income, reluctantly putting her business aside. “My parents and my husband were so upset because I…

After 17 years of teaching, the students remain the most important, most worthwhile component of the whole experience for Neal Degner. “The kids, the kids, the kids. That’s what it’s all about,” he said. After 23 years serving in the Navy, Degner began to explore what options existed for the next phase of his life. Having done some instructing in the Navy as a chief petty officer, teaching seemed like an obvious fit. “I feel like it was kind of something I was led to. It was a natural transition for me,” Degner said. After completing two years at St. Charles Community College and two years at…

Katie Orlando said she felt “honored” to be named Discovery Ridge’s Teacher of the Year. Her passion for kids is evident, and after teaching preschool for three years, Orlando is now in her fourth year of teaching the first grade. Orlando earned her bachelor’s degree from Missouri State University and went on to receive her master’s degree from Lindenwood University. Teaching children is what she always had a passion for. “I always knew I loved being around kids, and I think it was just something that fell into place,” she said. “I love it. I don’t ever wake up and not want to come to work. …

From nursing to education, Pat Hacker is the newest member of the Wentzville R-IV School Board. Hacker joined the school board team in April 2010 after working for the medical industry for approximately 17 years. “I have worked in pharmaceutical, and I did 15 years in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit),” Hacker said. “I was a clinical educator in the hospital, so I would teach new nurses how to be good nurses when they came into the hospital,” she said. Hacker said it was her volunteer work for the district that inspired her to become a board member. “I’ve been a parent and have volunteered in the…

Wentzville R-IV Board of Education Vice President Terry Ratcliff is entering her third year on the school board. With the upcoming elections Ratcliff said she hopes to serve another three years. Prior to her start on the school board, Ratcliff was a volunteer with the PTA and was actively involved in the Lake Saint Louis Mothers Club. She said she loved being a part of her community. “As my kids got older there was a lot of negative in the newspaper and in the schools," she said. "There were some things I felt the boards were not doing — mainly in communication and being able to communicate …

Becoming an alderman and then the mayor of the City of Wentzville wasn't exactly part of his life plan, according to Wentzville mayor, Paul Lambi. "There's an interesting story," Lambi laughed.  As a resident and active member of his homeowners association in the Bear Creek subdivision of Wentzville, Lambi got involved in a dispute between his HOA and the city about a proposed connector road from a new, neighboring development.  Residents of Bear Creek were upset, Lambi said, and asked him to represent them in a presentation to the city on the issue, which he did. Once the communication …