The School District of Washington WINGS Educational Foundation inducted the 17th class into its Hall of Honor on Thursday, September 24, at the Washington Elks Hall.

The WINGS Hall of Honor was initiated in 2009 to recognize alumni, former district educators and community contributors who have shown exceptional personal, community or professional contributions and achievement.

The 2026 honorees were Dr. Charles Sincox, who received the Alumni Award; Brenda Emann, who received the Community Contributor Award; and Rick Schwentker, who received the Educator Award.

Also recognized was Robyn Busekrus, counselor at Campbellton Elementary, who is the 2026 School District of Washington and WINGS Teacher of the Year.

This year’s recipient for the WINGS Alumni Award is Dr. Charlie Sincox.

A native of Washington, Dr. Sincox graduated from Washington High School in 1958. During his time in high school, he developed a lifelong talent and love for music and was a member of the “Polka Cats” German Band. He also served on the yearbook committee. Dr. Sincox attended the University of Missouri School of Medicine, graduating in 1966. He completed an internship at Kansas City General Hospital and his residency at Truman Medical Center West.

From 1957 to 1964, Dr. Sincox served in the U.S. Army Reserve.

In 1971, after five years of practicing medicine in western Missouri, Dr. Sincox relocated his family to Washington, taking over Dr. Raymond Bozzo’s office in the Schroeder Building. His private family practice served the Washington community for more than four decades, treating thousands of patients, some second and third generations.

In addition to his family practice, Dr. Sincox worked as the medical director for the Emmaus Home in Marthasville, performing routine physical exams and treating minor illnesses for the residents.

Following his retirement from family medicine, he continued to serve as the chairman of the Missouri Physicians Health Committee. This committee assists doctors who are experiencing a life crisis.

Dr. Sincox has been recognized for his service to the Emmaus Home, to the community, and to the local hospital. His musical talents on the bass trombone, violin, tuba and accordion have contributed to many area bands, including the Washington Brass Band, Compton Heights Concert Band and St. Louis Wind Symphony. He also has been a member of a local barbershop quartet.

Dr. Sincox is “known for his devotion to his patients and the long wings of a mustache that match his unique style and demeanor.”

Charlie and his wife, Carole, still live in Washington. They have three sons, Justin (Robin), Noah (Katie), Ethan (Malissa), eight grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.

This year’s recipient for the WINGS Community Contributor Award is Brenda Emann.

Born and raised in Washington, Brenda Emann graduated from Washington High School, where she was involved in cheerleading and pep squad. After attending East Central College and Webster University, Emann opened Little Rascals Preschool in 1980.

For more than four decades, she has supported working families and helped prepare young children to move into elementary school.

Among many memories, quotes and submissions nominating Emann for the WINGS Hall of Honor, one educator and parent said: “She has mastered the art of early childhood education, providing hands-on, experiential learning to her students, while also supporting their social and emotional health. I can personally attest to this, as my own children and I are products of Little Rascals Preschool. Some of our favorite core memories stem from our own experiences with Brenda, from the excitement of summertime water days, daily story time, making arts and crafts for our family, to the creativity of her themed learning weeks. Her holiday concerts were a true highlight, bringing the community together and showcasing the confidence she instills in her students. The environment Brenda continuously creates for her students is one of pure magic and joy.”

Another District educator wrote, “Her graduates consistently enter kindergarten with a distinct advantage, possessing both the academic readiness and interpersonal confidence necessary to thrive. Her students’ success is a direct result of her unwavering commitment to excellence, as well as her deep understanding of developmental milestones.” Another wrote,” What impressed me most was Brenda’s extensive knowledge of each child in her care. She understood their individual strengths and challenges and consistently sought ideas and strategies to better support their growth and learning. Her dedication to early childhood development was evident in every interaction and in the nurturing, structured environment she created for her students.”

Emann’s commitment to the Washington community is exemplified in her community involvement. She serves on her church parish council and volunteers with the Washington Town & Country Fair and parade. Recently, Little Rascals sponsored a Jr. WINGS fundraiser to help instill the value of giving back and support the students of the School District of Washington.

Brenda has been called “a pillar of early childhood education” in our community. Brenda and her husband, Don, live in Washington. She has two children, Vanessa and Elliott.

This year’s recipient of the Educator Award is Rick Schwentker.

Born and raised in Missouri, Rick Schwentker graduated from New Haven High School in 1969. He was a member of the high school band, basketball team, and was involved in the Boy Scouts.

Schwentker earned multiple educational degrees, including an associate degree from East Central College, a Bachelor of Science in physics from University of Missouri – Rolla, a lifetime certificate in physics and math from University of Missouri – Columbia, and a master’s degree in education from Maryville University. Rick was a member of the Sigma Pi Physics Honor Fraternity as well as Phi Kappa Phi Math Fraternity.

Schwentker began his career in 1973, teaching math, physical science and physics at Raytown High School, just outside of Kansas City. Over the next 17 years, he taught at both the college level at the University of Missouri – Rolla, as well as the junior and senior high school levels at Salem High School and in Rolla Public Schools.

Schwentker sponsored many school clubs, including Science Club, Computer Club and Key Club. He also sponsored many field trips for students to study geology, technology and math first-hand.

He was one of the co-founders, board members and main exhibit builders of the Meramec Science and Technology Learning Center. This was a new form of educational outreach that brought museum-quality, interactive biology, chemistry and physics exhibits to a large group of rural and small town elementary and middle schools in the South Central region of Missouri.

In the fall of 1990, Schwentker came to the School District of Washington, where he taught for 22 years until his retirement in 2012. During his tenure in Washington, he taught physics and introduced an AP physics option, which is still offered today.

His first year in Washington, he was asked to teach astronomy. According to Schwentker, this was “a class for which I had no academic preparation or personal experience.” What started out as a textbook-driven class, with classroom activities, (and with the help of a local astronomer,) turned into a hugely successful astronomy community, complete with a resurrected astronomy club (called the Eastern Missouri Dark Sky Observers), as well as the establishment of local observatories – all of which are active to this day. This has had a tremendous educational impact, not only for the School District of Washington, but for the entire community.

Schwentker is the recipient of many awards, including the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Math Teaching in 1993. Sponsored by the National Science Foundation, and managed by the National Science Teachers Association, he was flown to Washington D.C. where he met the President and was given a cash prize.

Rick and his wife, Judy, live in Washington. They have two children, Eric and Sarah.

 

WINGS Hall of Honor Inductees
The 2026 WINGS Hall of Honor inductees. From left are Dr. Charlie Sincox - Alumni Award, Brenda Emann - Community Contributor Award, and Rick Schwentker - Educator Award.

 

WINGS Hall of Honor Members
The 2026 WINGS Hall of Honor inductees are pictured with past inductees. Seated, from left, are Nell Redhage (daughter of past inductee Ben Geisert), Ron Cowan, Charlie Sincox, Brenda Emann, Rich Schwentker and Ruth Wood. Standing, from left, are Rick Rehmeier, Doug Hagedorn, Judy Verdine, Pat O'Donnell, Doris Jones, Rich Deppe, Mark Wessels, Julie Perry (wife of past inductee Jim Perry and daughter of past inductee Carolyn Shotwell) and Diane Schwab.

 

Inductees With WINGS Members
The 2026 WINGS Hall of Honor inductees are pictured with WINGS board members. Seated, from left, are Dr. Cassandra Suggs, Casey Zastrow, Charlie Sincox, Brenda Emann, Rich Schwentker, Nancy Wood and Ruth Ann Smith. Standing, from left, are Joyce Jones, Brad Mitchell, Bailey Kitchell, Amy Oesterly, Lauren Storie, Ellen Kluesner, Doris Jones, Linda Sentivany, Dr. Jane Reed, Jason Oesterly, John Freitag, Dawn Kitchell and Susan Harms.

 

 

WINGS Teacher of the Year

 

Robyn Busekrus, counselor at Campbellton Elementary, was recognized as the 2026 School District of Washington and WINGS Teacher of the Year. Seated, from left, are Joyce Jones, Casey Zastrow, Dr. Cassandra Suggs, Robyn Busekrus, Dawn Kitchell, Nancy Wood and Ruth Ann Smith. Standing, from left, are Susan Harms, Brad Mitchell, Bailey Kitchell, Amy Oesterly, Lauren Storie, Ellen Kluesner, Doris Jones, Linda Sentivany, Dr. Jane Reed, Jason Oesterly and John Freitag.

 

 

 

WINGS Teacher of the Year
Robyn Busekrus, counselor at Campbellton Elementary, was recognized as the 2026 School District of Washington and WINGS Teacher of the Year. She is pictured with Superintendent Dr. Cassandra Suggs.