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Program Offers Talented Missouri High School Students New Opportunities at MU

June 2nd, 2010

Story Contact: Nathan Hurst, 573-882-6217, hurstn@missouri.edu

COLUMBIA, Mo. – This summer at the Missouri Scholars Academy (MSA), approximately 330 high school students across Missouri will have the opportunity of a lifetime, and perhaps more importantly, a chance to be themselves.

“MSA provides a place for bright and talented students to realize there are others out there like themselves,” said Ted Tarkow, director of the program and associate dean of the MU College of Arts and Science. “Sometimes high school students feel like it’s a liability to be bright and talented. The MSA validates that it’s OK to be bright and talented.”  

Since its establishment in 1985, more than 8,000 Missouri students have participated in the annual program, which provides students unique opportunities to expand their educational and social skills. This year, from June 13 through July 3, students will spend the bulk of each day in an intensive classroom setting, studying one of four individually selected subjects, including mathematics, science, social studies and humanities. Each Missouri high school is allowed to nominate one junior-to-be for the academy; larger schools may nominate more.

“I look back on my summer spent with you with the fondest of memories,” said Erica Endicott, who attended MSA in 1997. “I think of it as one of the happiest times of my life.”

Outside the classroom, students are introduced to a series of activities, workshops and discussions by guest speakers. This year’s program focuses around the theme of sustainability and “going green”. Students will get to learn from experts in the fields of Islam and the Holocaust and discuss the nation’s health policy. Participants also will get the chance to visit with someone involved in the Haitian relief efforts as well as match wits against the Missouri state Scrabble champion and chess grand master.  

“The goal of the academy is to open doors for bright Missouri kids,” Tarkow said. “We want to help them network as well as drive home the idea that being smart is a good thing.”

MSA participants are among the top 0.5 percent of Missouri students academically. Individuals who attend the academy leave with the understanding that they have a responsibility to share their talents with others for the betterment of their local Missouri communities, Tarkow said. Many MSA alumni participate in programs such as Teach for America, Peace Corps or other not-for-profit organizations. MSA alumni also continue to succeed academically. Of those who are old enough, 98 percent of academy alumni have graduated from high school, 90 percent have graduated from college and nearly 2,500 alumni have earned graduate or professional degrees.

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education coordinated this year’s scholar selection process. Funding for the MSA 2010 is provided by the state, the University of Missouri, and by private corporate contributions. Other aspects of the MSA 2010 are sponsored by the University of Missouri.

EDITOR’S NOTE: A list of students attending the Missouri Scholars Academy, sorted alphabetically by city, is attached.

Grace Anna Albany Albany High School
Wildhaber Emily Argyle Fatima High School
Dalton Michael Arnold Fox Sr. High School
Bramer Amelia Ash Grove Mt. Vernon High School
Johanson Gunnar Ash Grove Ash Grove R-IV High School
Simpson Alana Ashland Southern Boone County High School
Cheng Emily Ballwin South High School
Healy Sarah Ballwin Marquette Sr. High School
Hsu Silas Ballwin Metro High School
Kuehnle Andrew Ballwin West High School
Lin John Ballwin South High School
Lu Richard Ballwin Lafayette Senior High School
Robinson Rebecca Ballwin Marquette High School
Sprenger Brandon Ballwin Eureka High School
Weis Gavin Ballwin Marquette High School
Gubina Sasha Belton Harrisonville High School
Parrott Ashleigh Belton Belton High School
Pierce Luke Belton Belton High School
Bartlett Sean Blue Springs Blue Springs High School
Hildenbrand Jordan Blue Springs Blue Springs High School
Ray Jordan Blue Springs Blue Springs South High School
Smith Nathan Blue Springs Blue Springs High School
Swingle Rosalie Blue Springs Blue Springs South High School
Hickman Peter bonne Terre North County Senior High School
Johnson Kyle Boonville Boonville High School
Richerson Amanda Boonville Boonville High School
Davison David Branson Branson High School
Spradling Chadwick Branson Branson High School
Maser Jaykob Braymer Braymer High School
Lee Amy Brentwood Brentwood High School
Prather Marc Bridgeton Pattonville High School
Cochran Kelly Buckner Fort Osage High School
Simpson Trustin Butler Butler R-V High School
Pratt Christopher Cameron Cameron High School
Kiblinger Elizabeth Cape Girardeau Notre Dame High School
Martin Kelsey Cape Girardeau Central High School
Pettet Geoffrey Cape Girardeau Cape Central High School
Swingle Veronica Cape Girardeau Cape Central High School
Brownfield Allison Carthage Carthage High School
Whitehead Charles Carthage Carthage Senior High School
Griffin Chelsea Centralia Centralia High School
Flores Abigail Chesterfield Marquette Sr. High School
Gu David Chesterfield John Burroughs School
Hoekzema Hannah Chesterfield Westminster Christian Academy
Marks Rachel Chesterfield St. Joseph’s Academy
Romero Tyler Chesterfield Lafayette High School
Shih Rebecca Chesterfield Marquette High School
Wang James Chesterfield Parkway West High School
Kropp Caitlin Clayton Clayton High School
Li Shuyang Clayton Clayton High School
Journey Jessica Clinton Clinton Senior High School
Hoffman Jeanna Columbia Columbia Hickman High School
Hwang Daniel Columbia Columbia-Hickman High School
Johnson Trenton Columbia Rock Bridge Senior High School
Minchew Cassandra Columbia Rock Bridge High School
Penton Eric Columbia Harrisburg High School
Scott Amy Columbia Rock Bridge Senior High School
Tarrant Jacob Columbia Columbia Independent School
Taylor Benjamin Columbia Christian Fellowship School
Udawatta Methma Columbia Rock Bridge Senior High School
Van Doren Annmarie Columbia Columbia-Hickman High School
Wu Peter Columbia Columbia-Hickman High School
Zhang Angela Columbia Rock Bridge Senior High School
Beydler Alexandra Concordia Concordia High School
Diamond Isaac Cosby Savannah High School
Brechbuhler Elizabeth Crane Aurora High School
Eltahir Ahmed Creve Coeur Central High School
Imbeah Paa Creve Court North High School
McKeon Jared DeSoto DeSoto High School
Shanklin Kirsten DeSoto De Soto High School
Sparks Olivia Eldon Eldon High School
Munden Jade Ellisville Marquette High School
Dieckhaus Christopher Eureka Eureka Sr. High School
Kinealy Tracy Eureka Villa Duchesne/Oak Hill School
Casey Jessica Excelsior Springs Excelsior Springs High School
Farr Sarah Excelsior Springs Excelsior Springs High School
Hitson William Farmington Farmington Sr. High School
Purkett Connor Farmington Farmington Sr. High School
Tarakai Nazow Fayette Fayette High School
Cooley Matthew Fenton St. Louis University High School
Sanchez Maria Fenton Nerinx Hall High School
Schnur Julie Fenton Cor Jesu Academy
McDonald Glennon Ferguson McCluer High School
Cover Miranda Festus Fox Sr. High School
Fischer Taylor Festus Herculaneum High School
Sansoucie William Festus Festus Senior High School
Lewis Temira Florissant Metro High School
Thompson Madeline Florissant Lutheran High School North
Walsh Conner Florissant Trinity Catholic High School
Hall Holly Fredericktown Fredericktown High School
Risberg James Ft. Leonard Wood Waynesville Senior High School
Clardy Emma Fulton South Callaway High School
Hinchie Joshua Fulton Fulton Senior High School
Youd Michael Gallatin Gallatin High School
Schlotthauer Erika Gladstone Winnetonka High School
Shope Joshua Gladstone Winnetonka High School
Luciani Jacob Glendale Lindbergh Senior High School
Wheeler Jordan Glenwood Schuyler County High School
Fulk Mahlia Grain Valley Grain Valley High School
Vircks Brandt Grain Valley Grain Valley High School
Black Britton Greenfield Greenfield High School
Fain Trevor Grover Eureka Sr. High School
Crouch Julia Hallsville Hallsville High School
Woods Matthew Hamilton Penney High School
Laks Kane Hannibal Hannibal Senior High School
Wasinger Sara Hannibal Hannibal Senior High School
Brown Carlee Harrisonville Harrisonville High School
Durnell Jenna Harwood El Dorado Springs High School
Niiro Leslie Hermann Hermann High School
Skawinski Chase High Ridge Northwest High School
Skarha Shannon Hillsboro Hillsboro High School
Stinson Rachel Hillsboro Hillsboro High School
Fewell Riley House Springs Northwest High School
Wilson Duankillus Howardville Central High School
James III Thomas imperial Seckman Senior High School
Moon Laura Imperial Seckman High School
Atkison Charley Independence William Chrisman High School
Lovewell Carnahan Independence Truman High School
Madison Nicholas Independence William Chrisman High School
Muelleman Andrew Independence Truman High School
Sexton Delaney Independence Truman High School
Smith James Collin Independence Center Place Restoration School
Elliott Wayne Jefferson City Jefferson City High School
Mills Erin Jefferson City Helias High School
Rose Levi Jefferson City Helias High School
Thoenen Elizabeth Jefferson City Jefferson City High School
Mann Taylor Joplin Waynesville Senior High School
Wilson Evan Joplin Joplin High School
Ameryun David Kansas City North Kansas City High School
Blake Tiffany Kansas City Hickman Mills Sr. High School
Bolton LaShanda Kansas City Ruskin High School
Buehler Colby Kansas City Park Hill High School
Burtin Travis Kansas City University Academy-Upper
Catton Daniel Kansas City Liberty High School
Crowe Mary Kansas City Notre Dame de Sion High School
Curfman Samantha Kansas City Southwest Early College Campus
Dunalewicz David Kansas City Park Hill High School
French Alyssa Kansas City Lincoln College Prep
Hernandez Monica Kansas City Raytown Sr. High School
Hughes Christopher Kansas City Staley High School
Jensen Jordan Kansas City Center Senior High School
Johnson Andrea Kansas City North Kansas City High School
Johnson Joshua Kansas City Oak Park High School
Johnson Scott Kansas City Rockhurst High School
Meier Janet Kansas City Oak Park High School
Needham Katherine Kansas City St. Teresa’s Academy
Niederberger Erin Kansas City North Kansas City High School
Noll Madison Kansas City Center High School
Perkins Marjorie Kansas City Staley High School
Richards Evan Kansas City Liberty High School
Richards-Strassle Austin Kansas City Hickman Mills High School
Rogers Leonard Kansas City Platte County R-III High School
To Christopher Kansas City Park Hill High School
Yi Mack Kansas City Liberty High School
Adams Heather Kearney Kearney High School
Lester Lauren Kearney Kearney High School
Barrera Penny May Kennett Kennett High School
Crist Conner Kirksville Kirksville Sr. High School
Jaschek Charles Kirkwood Kirkwood Senior High School
Mullendore Julia Kirkwood Kirkwood High School
Hayden Joseph Labadie Washington High School
McGowan Jennifer Lake Ozark Osage High School
Flynn Austin Lake St. Louis Emil E. Holt Sr. High School
Lucas Hannah Lake St. Louis Emil E. Holt Senior High School
Russell Jonathan Lake St. Louis Emil E. Holt Senior High School
Haskins Bryon Lamar Lamar High School
Henson Jordan Lawson Lawson High School
Brown Cameron Lebanon Lebanon Sr. High School
Collins Tyler Lebanon Lebanon Sr. High School
Douglas Sara Lee’s Summit Blue Springs South High School
Jones Christina Lee’s Summit Lee’s Summit High School
Smith Brendan Lee’s Summit Lee’s Summit High School
Smith Maria Lee’s Summit Blue Springs South High School
Strong Charles Lee’s Summit Lee’s Summit West High School
Welsh-Appleby Brooke Lee’s Summit Lee’s Summit High School
Wengler Jenna Lee’s Summit Lee’s Summit North High School
Wheelock Rachel Lee’s Summit Lee’s Summit North High School
Wilson Kellie Lee’s Summit Raymore-Peculiar High School
Zhang Katie Lee’s Summit Lee’s Summit West High School
Dice Bradley Liberty Liberty High School
Womble Blake Lonedell St. Clair R-13 High School
Golden Hunter Maiden Malden High School
Montero Mariana Manchester West High School
Enyeart Taylor Marceline Marceline High School
Maples AnnaMaria Marionville Marionville High School
Kelly Kirsten Marshall Marshall Senior High School
Henson Cody Maryland Heights Pattonville Sr. High School
Corson Ashton Maryville Maryville High School
Perll Michael Mexico Mexico High School
Afrassiab Zaina Moberly Moberly Sr. High School
Kaimann Laura Moscow Mills Troy Buchanan High School
Ducommun Bobby Neosho Neosho High School
Pendergrass McKenzie Neosho Neosho High School
Dockery Trey Nevada Nevada High School
Menke Abigail New Haven New Haven High School
Endacott Ryan Nixa Nixa High School
Huelga Marquita Nixa Nixa High School
Smith Devon Nixa Nixa High School
Matheney Matthew Novinger Adair County High School
Anjeh Della O’Fallon Academy of the Visitation
Bruns Sarah O’Fallon St. Dominic High School
Fields Sean O’Fallon Timberland High School
Hanneke Andrew O’Fallon Ft. Zumwalt North High School
Heimann Gregory O’Fallon De Smet Jesuit High School
Kalleberg Kara O’Fallon Fort Zumwalt West High School
Ritter Anthony O’Fallon Fort Zumwalt North High School
Schaller Connor O’Fallon Francis Howell High School
Seago Lauren Palmyra Palmyra High School
Ebbesmeyer Joshua Paris Paris High School
Clark Connor parkville Park Hill South High School
Panella Teresa Parkville Park Hill South High School
Sanders Kyle Poplar Bluff Poplar Bluff High School
Barron Rebecca Raymore Raymore-Peculiar Sr. High School
Duane Meghan Raymore Raymore-Peculiar Sr. High School
Settle Megan Raymore Raymore-Peculiar Senior High School
Howey David Raytown Raytown South Senior High School
McFerren Zachary Raytown Raytown South High School
Sims Charleen Raytown Raytown C-2 High School
Spratt Brittney Raytown Raytown South High School
Summers Joseph Raytown Raytown South High School
Buckner Alissa Republic Republic High School
Gochenauer Alexandria Republic Republic High School
Dickson Justin Richmond Orrick High School
Chowdhury Nabeel Rolla Rolla Sr. High School
Hogan Kyle Rolla Rolla Senior High School
Wehmeyer Michelle Rosebud Owensville High School
Windmiller Lafe Salisbury Salisbury R-IV High School
Thornton Bradly Savannah Savannah High School
Bush Jordan Sedalia Smith-Cotton High School
Kostopolus Emma Sedalia Smith-Cotton High School
Thompson Landon Sedgewickville Meadow Heights R-II High School
Engram Isaac Sikeston Sikeston Sr. High School
Scherer Ethan Sikeston Sikeston Senior High School
Miller Casey Silex Silex R-1 High School
Scott Jordan Smithville Smithville High School
Adkins Laura Springfield Central High School
Bosch Yarra Springfield Central High School
Fursa Hanna Springfield Kickapoo High School
Horner Jordyn Springfield Kickapoo High School
Hundley Katherine Springfield Kickapoo High School
Larson Sara Springfield Springfield Catholic High School
Ledger Gregory Springfield Central High School
Liu Shuaizheng Springfield Central High School
Park Chris Springfield Kickapoo High School
Quirk Valerie Springfield Central High School
Stroder Rachel Springfield Greenwood Lab School
Tucker Lacey Squires Ava High School
Polhamus Eliessa St. Charels Francis Howell North High School
Belter Rebecca St. Charles Orchard Farm Sr. High School
Busche Michael St. Charles Duchesne High School
Hanneke Tyler St. Charles St. Charles West High School
Henderson Claire St. Charles Francis Howell Central High School
McCullough Zackary St. Charles St. Louis University High School
Meyer Danielle St. Charles Francis Howell North High School
Pham Ryan St. Charles Francis Howell Central High School
Zhang Qingxi St. Charles Francis Howell High School
Hinson Alyssa St. Clair St. Clair High School
Johnson Lauren St. Joesph Benton High School
Bingham Lauren St. Joseph Central High School
Catherall David St. Joseph Central High School
Edwards Corinna St. Joseph Central High School
Lotito Benjamin St. Joseph Lafayette High School
Bender Caleb St. Louis Metro High School
Berg Alisa St. Louis Crossroads School
Cajic Adela St. Louis Affton High School
Coffey Scott St. Louis Lindbergh Sr. High School
Cole Laura St. Louis Bishop Du Bourg High School
Eftimoff Nicholas St. Louis Oakville Sr. High School
Epplin-Zapf Julia St. Louis Metro High School
Fliss Thomas St. Louis Metro High School
Gates Remy St. Louis Metro High School
Gokhale Manali St. Louis North High School
Grant Stephanie St. Louis Affton High School
Graves Zara St. Louis Metro High School
He Shawn St. Louis Central High School
Ihnat Katherine St. Louis Central High School
Jones Wiley St. Louis Webster Groves High School
Kapeller Robert St. Louis Mehlville High School
Krekeler Zakary St. Louis St. John Vianney High School
Levens Jacob St. Louis Ladue Horton Watkins High School
Luepker Emily St. Louis Metro High School
Mayberry Rachel St. Louis Metro High School
O’Brien Megan St. Louis Webster Groves High School
Quinn Nathan St. Louis Mehlville High School
Roth Brian St. Louis Lindbergh Senior High School
Sant Sayli St. Louis Ladue Horton Watkins High School
Schaeffer Tyler St. Louis Oakville Senior High School
Schriefer Rebecca St. Louis Metro Academic and Classical High School
Schulz Jordan St. Louis Visitation Academy
Tai Timothy St. Louis Parkway North High School
Tobias Leah St. Louis Metro High School
Willoughby Melissa St. Louis Notre Dame High School
Woods Karley St. Louis Clayton High School
Woodson Donald St. Louis Metro High School
Zink-Duda Joshua St. Louis St. Louis University High School
Coletta Brendan St. Peters Barat Academy
Geiger Jessica St. Peters Lutheran High School
Hardy Will St. Peters Francis Howell High School
Park Eric St. Peters Ft. Zumwalt South High School
Smith Brett St. Peters Fort Zumwalt South High School
Wavada Ryan St. Peters Fort Zumwalt South High School
Winslow Charles St. Peters Francis Howell North High School
Herrmann Carl St. Robert Waynesville Sr. High School
Kelly Duncan Ste. Geneieve Ste. Genevieve Sr. High School
Yoder Dylan Stoutland Richland High School
Carrell Alyssa Strafford Strafford High School
Center Kendall Sullivan Sullivan Sr. High School
Halfaker Fletcher Sullivan Sullivan Sr. High School
Van Ausdal Shaun Troy Troy-Buchanan High School
Babich Luke University City University City Sr. High School
Crowe Connor University City University City Sr. High School
Yentumi Alexander University City University City Senior High School
Harris Ian Warrensburg Warrensburg High School
Nowlin Erica Warrensburg Warrensburg High School
Dishman Callie Warrenton Warrenton High School
Mauch Emily Warrenton Warrenton High School
Conner Lindsey Webb City College Heights Christian School
Steubing Catherine Webb City Webb City High School
Tappana Elizabeth Webb City Webb City High School
Reed Jessica Webster Groves Lutheran High School South
Eggert Tyler West Plains West Plains Sr. High School
Richter Kelly West Plains West Plains Senior High School
Bharadwaj Mahettha Wildwood Thomas Jefferson School
Clayman Kelsey Wildwood Lafayette Sr. High
Coon Ryan Wildwood Chaminade College Preparatory School
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