Seven high school students from the Wentzville School District (WSD) are taking flight for academic excellence. They’ve been chosen to participate in the prestigious Missouri Scholars Academy (MSA), a three-week residential program held June 9-29 on the University of Missouri-Columbia campus.
Truman Davis from Holt, Charles Giraud, Tabitha Musangali, and Rathi Thiagarajan from Liberty, Mason Woodward from North Point and Mariana Langford and Allison McCallum from Timberland are among 330 of Missouri’s top-rising high school juniors selected for the program.
Founded in 1985, MSA marks its 39th year of empowering gifted students to reach their full potential. The program achieves this by motivating students to not only excel academically but also to leverage their abilities for positive change. MSA, additionally, encourages local schools to develop and expand gifted education programs, while providing the state with experienced faculty and specialized curriculum specifically designed for gifted learners.
The WSD has seen MSA alumni go on to achieve various academic successes. Past attendees have achieved such things as perfect scores of 36 on the ACT, National Merit Finalist/Semi-Finalist designations, and participated in various prestigious academic programs at local, regional, state, and international levels.
These students, representing the top one-half of one percent of their class in Missouri, will be immersed in a unique learning environment at MSA. The program offers a captivating blend of intensive instruction in their chosen areas of specialization, exposure to a wide range of activities, and opportunities to engage with guest speakers, performers, and discussions.
Career exploration is also woven into the curriculum, providing a well-rounded learning experience. Extracurricular and social activities further foster a sense of community among the participants. Since its inception, MSA has become a vital resource for Missouri’s gifted students, with over 12,000 high school students and teachers participating in the program.
