ST. LOUIS — A community in south St. Louis is determined to carry on the legacy of a beloved educator.
Sarah Howell was an assistant principal at Confluence Academy South City. Howell started in 2009 as a PE teacher and then became assistant principal in 2018.
She dedicated 15 years to the school.
She was driving Saturday night in Kirkwood at the intersection of Big Bend and Geyer roads when another car struck hers, police said.
Jennifer Perkins has been associated with the charter school for 20 years and has known Howell for more than a decade. She said Howell had a positive impact on all her children and nephews.
"She was a very warm person, this is just unbelievable. This (Confluence Academy) was home for her," Perkins said. "I actually know her outside of this because we are associated through flag football together. She’s a wonderful person. She’s not just a teacher, she’s like family."
Temika Young has a seventh grader at the school now and her son used to attend the school too.
"She always had the biggest smile on her face, ecstatic, nice, sweet. She was excellent with kids, always on the playground and during assemblies, she was the person in a costume and she always made everyone laugh," Young said.
Jeffrey Hetherington met her 15 years ago, the year they both started.
"She was very easy to get along with and a really good educator. It was devastating to hear, everybody liked her. She was very nice, always smiling, always had a joke," he told 5 On Your Side.
He noted she was a big part of the charter school.
"It's a big void for Confluence Academy," he said.
The last time he saw her was five years ago at a St. Louis Cardinals game.
According to her former co-worker Tiffany Smith, Howell was a dedicated fan.
"She was a strong, kind, beautiful woman, who everyone admired, loved and looked up too. She had a passion for children. She was a BIG CARDINALS FAN! She will be missed so much," Smith said.
Right now, Young said the students are expressing their love.
"They put pictures and cards on her door saying we love you, Ms. Howell, we miss you, Ms. Howell," Young said.
5 On Your Side learned Howell touched many lives through sports and as a mentor to hundreds of students. She was a bright light to many.
"Her love and legacy will still live on," Young said.
Perkins always saw Howell happy and it's the memory that will remain.
"She kept smiling, she kept laughing, kept joking, kept being there for everyone else and the legacy I want to live on is being happy and keep bringing out the joy for everyone," Perkins said.
Kirkwood police said this crash is under investigation and once the investigation is over, the case will be turned over to the county prosecutor to review for possible charges.
There is a GoFundMe set up and all the money donated will go to three places:
- Her funeral and burial
- Her memorial services in St. Louis for students and the St. Louis community
- Any remaining funds will go toward a scholarship fund created in Howell's name, which will make both need and merit-based scholarships available for students of Confluence Academy of South City for continuing educational opportunities.
To donate, click here.