2026 Parkway Alumni Hall of Fame

Stephen D. Aarons, Parkway West Class of 1972, has spent his life in the courtroom, the classroom, and the written word. A debater and drama student at West, he carried the habits he learned there, preparation, argument, service, and persistence, into a career devoted to criminal defense and constitutional advocacy.

   After Parkway, Steve attended George Washington University, where he became active in national student politics, and later       earned his law degree from Saint Louis University. He served as a United States Army Judge Advocate and retired as a  Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve. While stationed in Germany, he developed the international perspective that later took him to Oxford, where he studied international law and debated Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger at the Oxford Union.

Steve has practiced criminal law for forty-seven years and counting. He served as a public defender in some of New Mexico’s most serious cases, including thirteen death-penalty trials. He founded Aarons Law PC and has taught trial advocacy to lawyers throughout the country. He remains committed to the principle that the Constitution matters most when the accused is unpopular and the stakes are high. He is also an author whose books include Doe of the Dawn, a memoir, and Echoes of Torreón, a true-crime account of a quadruple homicide trial in rural New Mexico. His client was ultimately exonerated. Both books are available on Kindle and Audible.

Steve and his wife Doris live just north of Santa Fe, New Mexico. They are the proud parents of Ian and Stephanie, and grandparents of Evander Dean, Athena Jade, and Aurora Grace.

Christopher Arnold - Parkway West, Class of 1996

Christopher "Chris" Arnold is a 1996 graduate of Parkway West whose career has been defined by creativity, leadership, and a lifelong commitment to the arts. Following graduation, he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art from Mizzou and a Master of Fine Arts in Illustration from the Savannah College of Art and Design, building the foundation for a career that has successfully bridged higher education and professional artistic practice.

Today, Chris serves as a tenured Professor and Coordinator of the Illustration Program at Columbia College Chicago, where he has helped strengthen one of the nation's leading illustration programs while mentoring hundreds of emerging artists. He is the founder of the award-winning Illustration Studio Group, co-founder of INK Fest, and founder and host of the ILLO Awards, an annual celebration recognizing excellence in illustration. Through his teaching, leadership, and service, he has helped shape the next generation of artists while advancing illustration education on a national level.

As a contemporary artist and illustrator, Chris has established an international exhibition career spanning more than three decades. His expressive paintings explore the relationship between nature and human culture, celebrating the interconnectedness of people and the environment. His work has been exhibited throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia, including presentations during Art Basel Week in Miami. His paintings are held in private and corporate collections around the world and have been featured by House Beautiful, on the Travel Channel, in Art Market Magazine and numerous other publications. With more than a dozen solo exhibitions, over fifty curated group exhibitions, and a recent artist residency with the U.S. National Park Service, Chris Arnold has built a career that exemplifies artistic excellence, educational leadership, and a lasting commitment to enriching communities through the power of art.

Captain William T. Brown Jr. – Parkway Central, Class of 1987 (Posthumous)

Captain William T. Brown Jr. dedicated his life to serving others with integrity, courage, and unwavering commitment. A 1987 graduate of Parkway Central High School, Captain Brown exemplified the values of leadership, lifelong learning, and community service throughout a distinguished career that spanned more than three decades with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.

Raised in the Walnut Park neighborhood of St. Louis, Brown embraced the opportunity to attend Parkway Central through the voluntary desegregation program. The education he received at Parkway ignited a lifelong passion for learning and established the foundation for a life defined by excellence. That commitment to education continued throughout his career

as he earned an associate degree, a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Purdue University Global, graduating summa cum laude, and a master's degree in Criminology/Sociology from Lincoln University, also graduating summa cum laude. At the time of his passing, he was completing his doctorate in Criminology, which was awarded posthumously.

Joining the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department in 1994, Brown quickly earned the respect of colleagues and community members alike through his professionalism, compassion, and exceptional work ethic. His career included service as a patrol officer, Field Training Officer, Domestic Violence Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Commander of Internal Affairs, and ultimately Captain. In November 2024, he was promoted to command the Fifth District, returning to serve the community where he was raised.

Captain Brown's leadership was marked by fairness, accountability, and an unwavering commitment to public trust. Throughout his career, he received numerous honors, including three Meritorious Service Citations—the department's second-highest award—along with multiple Chief's Letters of Commendation, Awards of Excellence, and Officer of the Month recognitions. He was widely respected for mentoring young officers, strengthening relationships between law enforcement and the communities they served, and fostering a culture of integrity within the department.

On June 22, 2025, Captain Brown made the ultimate sacrifice, losing his life in the line of duty while serving the City of St. Louis. His legacy extends far beyond his remarkable accomplishments. He is remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, mentor, scholar, and public servant whose character inspired everyone who knew him.

William T. Brown Jr.'s life stands as a powerful testament to the transformative impact of education, perseverance, and selfless service. His enduring legacy continues to inspire future generations of Parkway students and the countless lives he touched through his dedication to making his community safer and stronger.

Chip Caray – Parkway West '83 (Selected in 2024; Inducted in 2026)

Chip Caray has built one of the most distinguished careers in sports broadcasting, earning national recognition while remaining deeply connected to the St. Louis community and the school district where his journey began.

Growing up in Chesterfield, Chip attended Parkway West High School, where his love for baseball flourished. A devoted St. Louis Cardinals fan, he dreamed of a career in Major League Baseball. While he ultimately realized his talents were better suited behind the microphone than behind the plate, his passion for the game never wavered. After graduating from Parkway West, he attended the University of Georgia, earning a degree in journalism in 1987.

   Chip began his professional broadcasting career as the play-by-play announcer for the Orlando Magic from 1989 to 1998 while also calling games for the Seattle Mariners from 1993 to 1995. In 1998, he followed in the footsteps of his legendary grandfather, Harry Caray, becoming the lead television broadcaster for the Chicago Cubs. He later served as the television play-by-play announcer for the Atlanta Braves from 2005 through 2022 and was also featured on FOX's nationally televised Saturday Game of the Week.

In 2023, Chip returned to the city where his love of baseball began, becoming the television play-by-play voice of the St. Louis Cardinals. As the son of legendary broadcaster Skip Caray and grandson of Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Caray, he has proudly carried forward one of baseball's most celebrated broadcasting legacies while establishing an outstanding reputation of his own.

Widely respected for his professionalism, humility, and genuine kindness, Chip is admired by fans, colleagues, and players alike. Through his exceptional career and positive representation of St. Louis and Parkway, he exemplifies the excellence, dedication, and integrity celebrated by the Parkway Alumni Association Hall of Fame.

Matthew Gifford – Parkway West, Class of 1991

For more than three decades, Matt Gifford has built a distinguished career with the St. Louis Cardinals, rising from an entry-level position to become one of the organization's longest-serving executives. Along the way, his leadership has helped set a standard of excellence while creating memorable experiences for millions of baseball fans.

A 1991 graduate of Parkway West High School, Matt was a three-sport letterman in football, basketball, and baseball. He was the starting center on Parkway West's 1991 Missouri Class 4A State Championship basketball team and helped lead the Longhorns baseball team to a Missouri Class 4A State Runner-Up finish in 1990. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree from Indiana University, where he was a member of the Hoosiers baseball team, before joining the Cardinals organization in 1996.

Matt began his Cardinals career in ticket sales before serving in community relations and corporate sales. In 2004, he was selected to launch and lead the Springfield Cardinals, the organization's new Double-A affiliate. During his 13-year tenure as Vice President and General Manager, the Springfield Cardinals became one of Minor League Baseball's model franchises, drawing nearly five million fans to Hammons Field and serving as the developmental home for more than 100 future Major Leaguers. Matt was twice named Texas League Executive of the Year and served on the Minor League Baseball Board of Trustees.  He also chaired the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Greater Springfield Area Sports Commission, and received Springfield's Pinnacle Award, the community's highest tourism honor, for his leadership and contributions to the region.

In 2017, Matt returned to St. Louis as Vice President of Stadium Operations, where he has led Busch Stadium through major capital improvements, enhanced security initiatives, and operational innovations that have helped keep the ballpark among the finest venues in professional sports. In 2026, he was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in recognition of his distinguished career as a baseball executive. Throughout his career, Matt has sought to exemplify the leadership, teamwork, and integrity inspired by the teachers, coaches, and mentors who shaped him during his years in the Parkway School District.

Grant Allan Kniffen – Parkway North, Class of 1979

Grant Kniffen is a 1979 Parkway North graduate and former Ross and North Junior student.  He was a three-sport athlete (football, wrestling, and track and field).  In football, his senior year, he was recognized as a first team Suburban South all-conference offensive guard.  Grant graduated with a BSE in Art Education in 1984 from Northeast Missouri State University and with a Master’s in Studio Art from Lindenwood University in 1989.

   Grant returned to North in 1986 to begin teaching and coaching.  He often attributed his hiring to “Don Hugo, Denny Staub, and Divine intervention!”  and was thankful for the opportunity to grow in the job.  In 1994 Grant received the St. Louis Art Museum Teaching Award and was recognized in 1995 as the Missouri Art Education Association High School Teacher of the Year.  Grant was voted by his peers as the 1996-1997 North High Teacher of the Year, was the Parkway High School Teacher of the Year, and received the Emerson Electric Teaching Award.  He was a Fulbright Memorial Fund awardee in 2002 and a 2011 “Pillar of Parkway” recipient.  Of his 27 years teaching at North, 23 involved coaching Freshman Football and 13, Track and Field.

Grant’s greatest accomplishment was “giving his all” to his students and athletes.  Though most did not pursue art or athletics after high school, he strived to instill a strong work ethic and desire for excellence.  He modeled his slogan “hard work overcomes many deficiencies!”

In addition to teaching, Grant continued to create and grow in his own art making, participating in 119 juried and group shows, as well as nine solo exhibitions.  He has received 13 Best of Show and first place recognitions and his works reside in private and public collections.

Grant also continues to volunteer with community organizations and serves as an Elder and teacher at his church.

Bradley “BJ” Levin – Parkway Central '99 (Selected in 2024; Inducted in 2026)

BJ Levin's high school years at Parkway were filled with diverse extracurricular activities including theatre, band, sports, and debate. Graduating with honors in 1999, Levin continued his academic journey at the University of Maryland - College Park.

There, he was selected for the University's Scholars Program after demonstrating exceptional academic ability and promise. Levin graduated with honors in 2003, earning a Bachelor of Science in Management Science and Statistics with a specialization in Decision and Information Sciences from The Robert H. Smith School of Business. His academic excellence and diverse interests have laid a solid foundation for his professional success.

Upon graduating, Levin joined Wachovia Securities as an Investment Banking analyst in the Special Situations division. Ultimately, Levin decided to follow his passions and dove headfirst into the Entertainment Industry where he set out to change the world through the lens of media. He started his career training under Amy Palmer, helping to create a local New York television show, “NYC360”. From there Levin took part in producing several successful TV shows and documentaries. Some of his most notable projects include “MADE” by MTV, for which he won his first Emmy for his contributions; “Project Runway”, which landed him his first position as Executive Producer and Showrunner for Al Roker’s Food Network show called “My Life in Food”; a documentary about psychic mediumship on HBO called “No One Dies in Lily Dale” and the “VICE” show on HBO  which garnered  a total of eight Emmy nominations during his tenure and the award for Best Outstanding Informational Series in 2014.

His many roles in the industry include Executive Producer at VICE Media, Senior Vice President, Development and Original Programming for NBC Universal, Executive Vice President of Development for AGC Studios and his current role as Senior Vice President, Head of Documentaries and Factual Content for Legendary Entertainment.

Levin has dedicated his career to making global content that changes the world for the better. At VICE he made many feature documentaries focusing on environmental and social justice issues such as the HBO documentary “Fixing the System” with President Barak Obama, “Our Rising Oceans” with President Joe Biden, and films “Fighting ISIS”, “Killing Cancer” and “Countdown to Zero”. Levin went on to Executive Producer the series “The Business of Drugs” for NETFLIX, “Hip Hop Uncovered“ for FX Network, “RapCaviar Presents” for HULU, and the feature documentary “Transition” which had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival. One of his most notable and risky projects was the arranging and documenting of the trip to North Korea with Dennis Rodman and the US Globetrotters for “VICE” on HBO.

BJ Levin's career is a testament to his passion for storytelling and his commitment to making a positive impact through media. Transitioning from investment banking to the entertainment industry, Levin quickly established himself as a creative force. Levin continues to push the boundaries of documentary filmmaking. His career is marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a drive to create content that informs, inspires, and effects change. Levin's journey is a powerful example of how media can be harnessed to address critical global issues and shape public discourse.

Bryan Pearlman, EdD, LMSW – Parkway North, Class of 1990

Dr. Bryan Pearlman, North High Class of 1990, has devoted more than 35 years to helping children, families, educators, and communities thrive.

A former teacher and principal, Dr. Pearlman has built his career around ensuring that children are seen, supported, challenged, and given every opportunity to succeed. His work has helped schools strengthen culture, improve outcomes, and better support students facing academic, behavioral, social, and emotional challenges.

   His mission is deeply personal. Early health challenges, learning disabilities, and undiagnosed ADHD made school especially       difficult. A major turning point came when his family moved to St. Louis and he attended North High. Supportive teachers helped him recognize strengths in himself that others had missed. His English teacher, Mrs. Rivers, nurtured his gift for writing and helped shape his future as an author. Playing varsity tennis also gave him friendships, confidence, and some of his fondest school memories.

Years later, Dr. Pearlman was especially excited to return to the North area of Parkway as assistant principal of Ross Elementary. Serving the community that had given him such an important sense of belonging brought his Parkway journey full circle.

Today, Dr. Pearlman is a mental health therapist, adjunct professor of educational psychology, keynote speaker, and author of 11 books, including “Whatever It Takes for All Students to Succeed in School & Life” and “Maslow Before Bloom.” He has presented to more than 250,000 educators and leaders nationwide.

He works alongside his wife, Dr. Lena Pearlman, North High Class of 1992, and daughter, Samantha, North High Class of 2016, at Pearlman & Associates in Creve Coeur. 

In 2019, the family founded the nonprofit DSMHW.org to provide mental health training and services for schools around the country.

Dr. Pearlman proudly credits Parkway with shaping his purpose, resilience, and lifelong commitment to helping others discover what is possible.

Jeremy Peirson – Parkway South, Class of 1993

Since beginning his career in 1998, Jeremy Peirson has helped shape the way audiences experience some of Hollywood's most memorable films. As an accomplished sound designer, supervising sound editor, and re-recording mixer, he has earned a reputation as one of the entertainment industry's most respected audio professionals, bringing stories to life through the art and science of sound.

After graduating from Parkway South High School in 1993, Jeremy earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sound for Film from Columbia College Chicago before launching his career in Los Angeles. Jeremy's first experience working in film came as an intern on

The Matrix. His work now includes more than 100 feature films and television productions, including The Hunger Games franchise and critically acclaimed and fan-favorite projects such as Looper, Final Destination: Bloodlines, and The Long Walk.

Jeremy has been recognized throughout the industry for his exceptional craftsmanship. In 2014, he was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, an honor extended to accomplished professionals whose peers recognize their significant contributions to filmmaking. As a member of the Academy, he votes annually on the Academy Awards. He has received multiple nominations from the Motion Picture Sound Editors, the Hollywood Professional Association, the Satellite Awards, and the Astra Awards. He also earned a Hollywood Professional Association Award for his work on An American Pickle.

Beyond his artistic achievements, Jeremy has helped advance the motion picture industry through innovation. He was an early pioneer in developing the Dolby Atmos mixing workflow that has become an industry standard, helping to make the process of mixing films in the immersive format more efficient and creatively effective. His willingness to embrace new technology and challenge conventional practices has helped shape modern film mixing.

A respected mentor and leader, Jeremy is also committed to developing the next generation of sound professionals. He regularly mentors and trains emerging editors, welcomes recent college graduates to shadow his work, and has actively supported greater opportunities for women in the traditionally male-dominated field of sound editing and mixing.

Jeremy credits Parkway with providing the strong academic foundation, diverse experiences, and lifelong friendships that prepared him for success. He especially appreciated the wide array of classes Parkway offered beyond the traditional curriculum, which allowed him to explore a range of interests. His introduction to music began in fifth grade at Barretts Elementary, where he learned to play the clarinet. He continued with band at South Junior High School and Parkway South High School, where he fondly remembers his band classes with Mr. Becker. Learning to listen to others, follow musical notation and rhythm, and work as part of an ensemble provided an early foundation for his work in sound, where those same skills are essential when collaborating with the large teams involved in filmmaking. He also taught himself to play drums and formed a rock band with fellow classmates, performing in Battle of the Bands and talent shows. He also remembers classes in animal behavior, Japanese, Eastern history, and art, which gave him opportunities to explore interests beyond the traditional curriculum. Together, these experiences nurtured his interest in music and creativity and helped lead him to a career in sound for film.

Jeremy lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Coralyn Peirson (Brazee), a fellow Parkway South graduate from the Class of 1994. They met while riding the same bus route to South Junior High School, married in 2000, and are the parents of Lauren (21) and Evan (19).

Jasmit "Jesse" Pujji – Parkway North, Class of 2002

Jasmit "Jesse" Pujji has built a career defined by entrepreneurship, innovation, and a commitment to helping others realize their potential. As Founder and CEO of Gateway X, he is transforming how businesses are built while positioning St. Louis as a destination for ambitious entrepreneurs and emerging AI companies.

  Jesse is happily married to his high school sweetheart Deepika (another Parkway alum!) with 3 beautiful children: Ricky (11),       Serena (9) and Mila (2).  He enjoys his business career but deeply cherishes his family. 

A 2002 graduate of Parkway North High School, Jesse was Varsity Tennis Captain, served as Student Council Vice President and led the debate team as a National Qualifier in LD debate.  He earned honors degrees in Finance and Entrepreneurship from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He began his career at McKinsey & Company in New York and Dubai and then worked at Goldman Sachs during the financial crisis.  In 2010, he left Wall Street to co-founding Ampush in San Francisco.

Ampush was a tech enabled business helping advertisers run campaign on Facebook. Without outside investment, Ampush grew to more than 200 employees while managing over $1 billion in advertising spend for companies including Uber, Peloton, Dollar Shave Club, Stitch Fix, and Hulu. After the company's successful exit in 2021, Jesse returned to St. Louis and founded Gateway X, a venture studio dedicated to building profitable, AI-native companies. Since its launch, Gateway X has created multiple companies with a combined enterprise value of $100 million while attracting exceptional entrepreneurial talent to the region.

Jesse's influence extends well beyond the companies he has built. His innovative approach to growth marketing helped shape an industry, while hundreds of former Ampush employees now hold leadership positions at companies including Google, Meta, Shopify, Airbnb, Lyft, and DoorDash. Through Gateway X, he mentors founders, invests in startups, and develops leaders by emphasizing authenticity, self-awareness, and personal growth alongside business success.

His accomplishments have earned recognition as a St. Louis Titan 100, St. Louis Business Journal 40 Under 40, and Wharton 40 Under 40 honoree. He has also been featured in the books Billion Dollar Brand Club, Unstoppable Entrepreneurs, and Reignition.

Jesse credits Parkway North with changing the course of his life. His 10^th grade English teacher, Jeanne Eichhorn, guided him getting into an Ivy League college.  Parkway's diverse community helped shape his confidence, leadership, and appreciation for collaboration. Today, he continues to invest in people, strengthen the St. Louis entrepreneurial ecosystem, and demonstrate that business success is most meaningful when it helps others grow alongside you.

Cara Spencer – Parkway South, Class of 1996

Mayor Cara Spencer was sworn in as the 48th mayor of the City of St. Louis on April 15, 2025. A proven leader with a deep commitment to public service, she is focused on building a stronger, more prosperous city for all St. Louisans.

Born and raised in St. Louis, she became the first in her family to earn a college degree, graduating with a B.S. in Mathematics from Truman State University. Her early career took her to cities across the country, where she saw firsthand the transformative impact of smart urban planning, economic investment, and engaged leadership. Inspired by those experiences, Mayor Spencer returned home and successfully ran for the Board of Aldermen in 2015, where she’s worked ever since to put St. Louis on a path toward shared prosperity.

Mayor Spencer continues to lead the charge to make city government more transparent, efficient, and accountable. During her time as an alderperson, she authored legislation to curb predatory lending, improve air quality, and bring greater transparency to campaign finance. As a champion of public safety, she passed the city’s first meaningful gun control law in decades, closing a loophole that allowed minors and individuals without permits to possess firearms. Since the law’s passage in 2023, the city has seen a 15% decline in juvenile shooting victims.

A strong advocate for responsible governance, Mayor Spencer helped stop the privatization of Lambert International Airport, protecting one of the city's most valuable public assets. She’s pushed for greater oversight in public spending, exposing mismanagement of federal relief funds and calling for more strategic use of Rams settlement dollars to revitalize downtown.

Mayor Spencer’s work extends deep into the neighborhoods of St. Louis. She co-developed the innovative “mow-to-own” program, giving residents a path to reclaim and care for vacant lots. She led efforts to regulate short-term rentals, protect housing stock, and ensure that public contracts benefit local businesses. A staunch defender of the city’s historic architecture and cultural institutions, she champions investments in parks, museums, and iconic landmarks that define St. Louis.

A dedicated mother, community advocate, and problem-solver, Mayor Spencer is committed to building a safer, more equitable, and vibrant city. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her 14-year-old son, Cy, and can often be found cycling, hiking Missouri’s trails, or cross-country skiing through her neighborhood.