AREA STUDENTS CHOSEN FOR SCHOLASTIC OR ART ACADEMIES

Fifteen area students who excelled in academics or the arts recently were selected to attend summer schools to sharpen their abilities.

Jessica Hency, a student at Notre Dame High School, and Rachel Bettag, a student at Central High School, were the only students from Southeast Missouri to be selected for a three-week fine arts academy.

The Missouri Fine Arts Academy is a new program for students who want intense study in vocal or instrumental music, arts, theater or dance. It is held on the campus of Southwest Missouri State University at Springfield and is modeled after the Missouri Scholars Academy, an academically intense program for students.

Thirteen students from Perry, Bollinger, Cape Girardeau and Scott counties were chosen to attend the Missouri Scholars Academy.

They are Nina Vandagriff of Woodland High School; Erica McQuay and Molly Bishop, both of Jackson High School; Amanda Wyatt and Boyne Park, both of Central High School; Benjamin Edwards of Notre Dame High School; Neil Unterreiner of Perryville High School; Tonya Lynn of Chaffee High School; Shannon Sullivan and Andrew Felker, both of Sikeston High School; Andrew Vied of Thomas W. Kelly High School at Benton; Patrick Johnston of Scott City High School and Greg Pobst of Oran High School.

The Scholars Academy, held on the University of Missouri-Columbia campus, has been offered to students at both public and private schools in the state for 12 years. At least one sophomore student from each school can be nominated to attend either program.

Both academies are funded by the Missouri legislature and there is no cost for students. No grades or credit can be earned in either academy, although students live on campus.