Hello Mr. Blunt,

My name is Nathaniel Mahieu and I attended the Missouri Scholars Academy during the summer of 2005. I am writing to say how this experience has affected me and to display my full support of the continuation of this program. I had read about funding cuts for this program before I attended it and felt that it would be a loss to our educational systems but I didn’t think much of it. To me, it was just another state program. This view is nowhere near the truth of what MSA is like. After attending this program for almost three weeks I must say that the benefits I have received from it reach far beyond that of physics and poetry, these were the two classes I took. By this I do not mean that the classes were less than satisfactory, but to fully appreciate this program it must be understood that it is not only academics that are taught. I have learned much about myself and others, communicating with the rest of the world, cultures, along with physics and poetry.

In my eyes I find that the greatest benefit bestowed by this program is that of being able to explore yourself and others. By allowing us, the scholars, to take three weeks out of our normal lives and look back into it allows us to possibly change things about ourselves or see things we need to change. I believe that many gifted children have more emotionally unstable lives, and this program for the gifted allows us to see and deal with some of the emotions. This is helped along by something called Personal and Social Dynamics. PSD is a class which allows us to discuss our views and personalities with others from similar situations. It is very helpful and really allows those who may be a bit introverted a time to talk freely.

Along with the social benefits we also get a good taste of some challenging school type work. From physics to poetry to Japanese culture, the exposure we receive here in three weeks far surpasses that which I had received in my entire life. The curriculum we covered in my physics class appeared to be that of a semester and a half, covered in only three weeks here. To me, this is very impressive and to lose this opportunity would be losing a lot of future potential from us scholars. The program is so diverse and packed full, after attending it is quite obvious that Missouri is preparing a great future for its self.

Please, if the funding of this program is ever questioned again, know that this program is supported by many, myself included, and I would hope that you would support it too.

Sincerely,
Nathaniel Mahieu