See. Serve. Connect. with Dr. Jim Wipke

Ladue Schools Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke sits down with Viva Voce—Ladue Horton Watkins High School’s award-winning all-female a cappella group—and their passionate director, Leah Alrutz. Fresh off a fourth-place finish at the 2025 International Championship of High School A Cappella Midwest Quarterfinal, these student leaders open up about competition, community, and the deep bonds formed through music.

You'll hear from members Kayla Wallace, Kate Sheley, Maya Mathew, and Emma Bangert as they share what it means to lead with harmony—on and off the stage. Leah Alrutz reflects on the group's origin, evolution, and the tradition of excellence they’ve built since 2016. Plus, stay tuned for a special surprise: Viva Voce crafts and performs a spontaneous jingle for the podcast!

This episode celebrates student voice, artistic excellence, and the joy of creating something powerful—together.

Ladue Schools Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke sits down with Jeff Kopolow, a beloved figure in the Ladue School District, who reflects on an extraordinary 54-year career in education. As he prepares for retirement, Jeff shares insights from his decades as a teacher, board member, and community leader.

• A Life Dedicated to Education: From teaching a diverse range of subjects to mentoring students at every secondary level, Jeff’s impact spans generations.

• Leadership in Action: With 15 years on the Board of Education, he played a vital role in passing key referendums and shaping the district’s future.

• A Family Rooted in Ladue: Married for nearly 60 years, with both children as proud alumni, Jeff’s personal and professional life is deeply intertwined with the district.

• Beyond the Classroom: From coaching Speech & Debate to supporting many student organizations, his dedication to student success knew no bounds—even becoming a licensed bus driver to ensure the Speech & Debate team could compete when no drivers were available.

• A Legacy That Lives On: Even in retirement, Jeff continues teaching and mentoring, ensuring his influence on education reaches beyond Ladue.
  

In this latest episode of his See. Serve. Connect. Podcast Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke is joined by two incredible district administrators, Dr. Tiffany Taylor Johnson and Dr. Jennifer Riesenmy, who are leading the Ladue School's exciting new initiative, "No Place for Hate."  

Are you ready to hear from an incredible Ladue Schools student helping shape future generations?

In this episode, Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke sits down with Emily Liu, a senior at Ladue Horton Watkins High School who's not only an all-star student but also a leader in speech and debate, a nationally recognized journalist, and a passionate advocate for her peers. She shares how getting involved in school activities can lead to a brighter future. This episode is packed with amazing stories and advice for both students and parents as they discuss the power of finding your passion, whether it's in the newsroom, on the debate stage, or somewhere else entirely.

In this episode, Dr. Jim Wipke has an intriguing conversation with Noah Temple, a driven LHWHS senior who’s already making waves as the CEO of his own business and social entrepreneur, and Jessica Kennedy, teacher extraordinaire who holds multiple leadership roles at Ladue Horton Watkins High School.

They will dive into the Catalyst program, building entrepreneurship skills, and how hands-on learning prepares our students for success. You'll hear Noah’s inspiring journey from classroom to boardroom and how he’s using his business to promote social change. 

Dr. Wipke visits with Ladue Schools alum Sam Tung. He is a class of 2005 graduate who now works in California as a storyboard artist and director for film, animation, video games, and commercials. The two discuss AI (artificial intelligence), its future, and staying ahead of the constant changes AI brings to education and beyond.

Dr. Wipke visits with Rod and Diane Patershuk, two longtime Ladue Schools supporters who were instrumental in helping the district pass three different voter initiatives.

Listen in as Dr. Wipke talks with LHWHS social studies teacher Ashley Lock and Spoede Elementary librarian Jennifer Johnson about teaching memories, innovative classes, and upcoming learning experiences.

Dr. Wipke chats with members of his High School Student Advisory Council about an exciting new campaign on which they are working.

Listen as Dr. Wipke revisits his Commencement address to the Ladue Horton Watkins High School Class of 2023 on May 21, 2023. Before receiving their diplomas, he posed one important question to the graduating seniors, something to think about as they look back on their time with Ladue Schools and also look ahead to their next chapters in life.