CENTRAL HIGH STUDENTS RECOGNIZED FOR SUPERIOR SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENT

Cape Girardeau Central High School students were honored Tuesday for excelling in academics, attendance and good attitude during the second annual Academic Pep Rally.

The Renaissance Club recognized 332 students during the assembly, which was attended by faculty, the student body, parents, corporate sponsors and sixth-graders from Franklin Elementary School. A parade of academic clubs opened the program and several organizations performed.

"This is a celebration of doing the right thing," said Julia Jorgensen, club sponsor and rally coordinator. "We invited the Franklin students so they'll see what they have to look forward to and to show them the importance of good grades, perfect attendance and involvement."

Of the students honored, 111 were scholar athletes, 118 scholar musicians and 27 performing-arts scholars who made the A honor roll the first semester. Also recognized were 204 students who had no absences or weren't tardy the first semester.

"We're especially proud of these numbers," Jorgensen said. "We can see that our students who are involved are the ones who make the best grades. I don't expect everyone to make the honor roll, but everyone can participate in a club or outside activity."

Renaissance is a national organization that works to raise academic performance and school spirit. Most of the honorees wore T-shirts promoting the school's Renaissance program.

"This is the first year we've given out T-shirts," Jorgensen said. "Our sponsors have provided us with a lot of help because they recognize the importance of developing education and involvement skills in students."

The Renaissance Club has about 80 corporate and individual sponsors. Corporate donations included gifts, monetary awards, gift certificates and savings bonds, which were presented during the rally. McDonald's provided two gold watches for top students in the Movers and Shakers program and the Principal's Breakfast program, which it sponsors.

Forty-three students who attend classes at the Cape Girardeau Area Vocational-Technical School received Professional Portfolio Awards for their academic and professional development. Special academic recognition went to the top 10 students in the senior class, nine students for qualifying as National Merit semifinalists, and nine students who have signed to join the armed forces.