A victory for education

Washington University in St. Louis Provost H. Holden Thorp (third from left) was on hand July 11 to help local and state officials, educators and students dedicate KIPP Victory Academy at 955 Arcade Ave. KIPP Victory will be the second school in St. Louis to be operated by the charter school organization, the Knowledge Is Power Program, of which the university serves as a sponsor. KIPP Victory Academy opens this month for kindergarten and first-grade students. Below, incoming kindergarten student Jefferey Gary checks out the board in his new classroom under the watchful eye of teacher Sam Lessell as his mom, Ruth Gary, looks on. Among the dignitaries attending the ribbon-cutting event were Maxine Clark, a university trustee and KIPP St. Louis Board member; KIPP Victory School Leader Tiara Abu; St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay; KIPP Board Chair John Kemper; U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill; State Treasurer Clint Zweifel; and St. Louis Public Schools Board President Rick Sullivan. (Credit: Joe angeles (above) and Whitney curtis (below)/wustl photos)