Five gifted Hazelwood School District students will participate in the prestigious 2007 Missouri Scholars Academy this summer in Columbia, Missouri.Sophomores Jennifer Murray and Anthony Parks at Hazelwood Central High School, and Channing James, Daniel Torrington and Matthew Merlenbach at Hazelwood West High School will spend three weeks enhancing their educational experience.
The academy, designed for incoming juniors, takes place June 10 – June 30 on the campus of the University of Missouri-Columbia.
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education administers the program in cooperation with University of Missouri. According to the Missouri Scholars Academy Web site, the academy reflects Missouri’s desire to strive for excellence in education at all levels. The program is based on the premise that Missouri’s gifted youth must be provided with special opportunities for learning and personal development in order for them to realize their full potential.
“The Missouri Scholars Academy was established to provide educational experiences and enrichment opportunities which may differ significantly from the traditional high school setting,” Stan Johnson, assistant commissioner for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, said.
Dr. Jim Harris, guidance department chairperson at Hazelwood West High School, said the students had to stand out among other top students, be recommended by teachers, and compete against other high achievers from schools from all over the state.
“They are straight-A students and more than that – they made outstanding scores on the Plan Exam, which is a 10th grade version of the ACT and they each wind up making an impressive score on an individual intelligence test,” Harris said. “They are super-duper students that the teachers adore and they come to school and work everyday to exceed everyone’s expectations.”
“It’s an honor to be accepted into the program and it should be quite a privilege to take classes under teachers as focused in the subjects as the educators at the Missouri Scholars Academy,” said Daniel Torrington, a sophomore at Hazelwood West High School.
“I expect it is going to be a great experience and I hope to learn something there,” said Matthew Merlenbach, a sophomore at Hazelwood West High School. “I’ve heard it is enjoyable and I hope to get a lot out of it.”
“It sounds like it is going to be a good experience and it will look good on college applications,” said Channing James, a sophomore at Hazelwood West High School.
At Hazelwood Central High School, Principal Frank Smith said, “Ms. Murray and Mr. Parks are two excellent students who are involved and committed to the school and the community – they are two of the best that Central has to offer.”
“I am proud of myself for being selected and I look forward to meeting new people,” said Anthony Parks, a sophomore at Hazelwood Central High School.
“I am excited to go and I am expecting to be challenged because the courses are harder and more specialized,” Jennifer Murray, a sophomore at Hazelwood Central High School said.
The students are among 330 gifted students selected in the state who will attend the 2007 academy.
