Drew Rouse, a junior at Willow Springs High School, was selected as one of 330 students to attend the 2005 Missouri Scholars Academy. Drew, son of Thomas and Jeanette Rouse attended the three-week residential program form June 12- July 2 on the University of Missouri-Columbia campus.

The Missouri Scholars Academy (MSA) celebrated 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 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 in the state 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 of credits are awarded through the program.

Students that have attended MSA are 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 are 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.