Eureka Student Among 15 State Citizenship Awardees

Fifteen public high school students received the 2012 Outstanding Achievement in Citizenship Award from the Missouri State Board of Education and the Missouri Bar. One of the awardees was Connor Tinnen, a senior.

Award recipients were recognized during a luncheon at the Governor’s Mansion in Jefferson City and received a plaque honoring them as outstanding young citizens.

The award has been presented annually since 1990.

"This award provides the opportunity to acknowledge Missouri students who exemplify quality citizenship," said Commissioner of Education Chris Nicastro in a news release about this year's recipients. "It is important for students to have a working knowledge of the principles of government and citizenship, as well as be an active participant in their school and local community."

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education conducts the citizenship program with assistance and financial support from the Missouri Bar.

In addition to Tinen, other 2012 recipients are: 

• Kelby Czerwonka, West Plains Senior High School, West Plains R-VII School District
• Miranda Elliston, Carl Junction High School, Carl Junction R-I School District
• Netty Goodman, Slater High School, Slater School District
• Ravali Gummi, Marquette Senior High School, Rockwood R-VI School District
• Tyler Hays, Neosho High School, Neosho R-V School District
• Anthony Henderson, Parkway North High School, Parkway C-2 School District
• Ellie Kidd, Central High School, Cape Girardeau 63 School District
• Miriam Bohlman Kunz, Webster Groves High School, Webster Groves School District
• Si Qi (Rocky) Leng, Parkway South High School, Parkway C-2 School District
• Matthew Lundberg, Francis Howell Central High School, Francis Howell R-III School District
• Jonathan Rembold, Parkway Central High School, Parkway C-2 School District
• Ethan Robb, Park Hill South High School, Park Hill School District
  Maria Smith, Blue Springs South High School, Blue Springs R-IV School
• District
• Rebecca Walka, Meadow Heights High School, Meadow Heights R-II School District

Every public high school in Missouri is eligible to nominate one senior for the citizenship award. Students are selected on the basis of their academic achievement in civics and government courses, performance in civics and government-related extracurricular activities, and exemplary community service. Students also must submit an essay about the importance of citizenship. The applications and essays are scored by members of the Advisory Committee on Citizenship Education, which is part of Missouri Bar’s Citizenship Education Program.