Students surprise staff after submitting more than 200 nominations

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - School staff so often put their hearts and souls into their work — and go unrecognized.

At Riverbend Middle School, students in a community service class set out to change that, teaming up with First Alert 4’s Paige Hulsey to celebrate three staff members with the Surprise Squad.

The community service class started with conversations among teachers and students about what middle schoolers were craving: more freedom, more fun and more chances to do something meaningful.

As students brainstormed ways to show appreciation for staff, the class discovered Surprise Squad videos and decided to submit their own nominations.

Staff and students were gathered in the gym under the premise that school wasn’t over yet, and it was time to focus.

But the focus shifted quickly.

Hulsey and the Surprise Squad arrived at River Bend to reveal the honorees — names students had written again and again in nominations.

Hulsey began by calling out Gail Simpson.

Students described Simpson as someone who loves her job and helps others — the kind of person they notice, even when her work happens quietly.

Next was Dwayne Burkhead, the school’s janitor.

Students praised Burkhead for keeping River Bend clean and organized — and gave a special shoutout to the work no one wants: cleaning the boys’ bathroom.

The final honoree was Coach Missy, a staff member students said they nominated countless times.

They described her as kind and thoughtful, and they also noted her recent battle with breast cancer — saying she continued showing up for students even while sick.

To thank all three honorees, Surprise Squad and partners at Scott Credit Union delivered goodie bags, including tickets to a St. Louis Cardinals game and spending money for food.

One gift carried a message students wanted them to remember: “Never forget, you are the piece that made the difference.”

Then came a surprise for the entire school.

Surprise Squad partnered with the Cool Times Ice Cream Truck, giving students and staff a sweet way to celebrate together.