Nathaniel Mahieu, a student at Centralia High School in Centralia, has been selected as one of 330 students to attend the 2005 Missouri Scholars Academy. Nathaniel, son of Martin Mahieu and Kara Mahieu, will attend the three-week residential program from June 12 – July 2 on the University of Missouri-Columbia campus. Nathaniel plays football, runs track, and plays ultimate frisbee through the Columbia Summer League. His interests focus mainly on computer and web development, but also include sociology. Nathaniel is a member of FFA, Interact, and a class officer, as well as a member of Centralia 4-H and the Good Shepherd Lutheran church.

The Missouri Scholars Academy (MSA) will celebrate its twenty-first year this summer. The goals of the Academy are to help gifted students achieve their full potential and motivate them to use their gifted abilities to attain high standards of achievement, to encourage local schools to improve and expand gifted education programs; and to assist in providing the state with experienced faculty and specialized curriculum for such students. The Academy is supported by state funds and is sponsored by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in cooperation with the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Every public and private high school is allowed to nominate at least one student for the Academy. Academically, students represent the top one-half of one percent of the state’s sophomore class. No grades or credits will be awarded through the program.

Students attending MSA will be exposed to a wide range of activities as well as to intensive instruction in their chosen area of specialization. The faculty is composed of outstanding teachers from high schools throughout the state. Guest speakers, performers, discussions, and career education will be combined with extracurricular and social activities to round out the curriculum.

By the end of the 2005 Academy more than 7,000 Missouri high school students and teachers will have participated in MSA since its inception in 1985.