OVER 1,200 STUDENTS GO TO `STRAIGHT A' GAME

More than 1,200 local "Straight A" students and their guests watched the St. Louis Cardinals beat the San Francisco Giants Monday afternoon.

The students earned two tickets to the ballgame through a Straight A baseball ticket program sponsored by Schnucks, the Southeast Missourian and KZIM radio.

This marks the fourth year the Straight A tickets have been awarded.

Students who attend high school in Cape Girardeau County, in grades nine through 12, and are named to the A honor roll, are eligible for the tickets, said Dennis Marchi, manager of Schnucks.

Marchi said just over 1,200 people went to the game.

"This is higher than attendance in the past," he said. "I think there were more A's this year. We've done the same schools each year."

This year's tickets were for a day game, Marchi said. "We chose a day game this year in hopes that more people would be able to attend.

"The program is designed to reward the students for their hard work during the course of the year," he said.

Marchi said the program is rewarding for sponsors as well.

"In the past, I've gotten phone calls from students who have never been to a ballgame. This is an opportunity for them."