MSA Proudly Announces the Kevin Heisinger Memorial Award for 2026 

Manu McDowell received the 2026 Kevin Heisinger Community Service Memorial Award. In the photo, McDowell trims down invasive honeysuckles at Columbia Montessori School.  Every year during the closing ceremony for the Missouri Scholars Academy, a student is chosen to receive the Kevin Heisinger Community Service Memorial Award for their dedication to service. This year, the…

The Power of a Question

Every year scholars are asked to nominate a teacher who made a difference in their lives for Teacher Appreciation Day. Teachers are then invited to visit the Academy, attend afternoon sessions, have dinner with their student and participate in evening programs. This year's keynote speaker was Cal Fussman, an award-winning journalist and author who graduated…

Kevin Heisinger Memorial Award 2025

Osvin Alaphat (left) and Lily Giron-Fernandez (right) received the 2025 Kevin Heisinger Community Service Memorial Award. Every year during the closing ceremony for the Missouri Scholars Academy, one student is chosen to receive the Kevin Heisinger Community Service Memorial award for their dedication to service. This year, the Missouri Scholars Academy Closing Ceremony held a surprising twist for the scholars!  From their…

The Freedom of MSA – 2025 Closing Ceremony 

Alex Sienica (back left) circles up with fellow MSA scholars while Krav Maga Instructor, Eli Peake (back right), teaches them. Scholars sitting with Alex include Josh Adams, Sam Buchanan, and Billy Bearden.   Each year, MSA faculty, RAs, and Directors choose a scholar who they believe fully embodies the spirit of the Academy to speak at the annual closing ceremony. For the 2025 Academy,…