As part of his A+ Program promotional tour, Missouri’s Governor, Jay Nixon, will be visiting Lafayette on Jan. 7.

“The governor is visiting four high schools on Thursday and Friday of this week and each of those schools were dedicated A+ Program schools last year, so the purpose of his tour is to just visit four of those schools, talk about the importance of the A+ Program and talk about how it has the potential to positively impact students going to college and going to post high school experiences, though they may not have had the chance in the past,” Principal John Shaughnessy said.

Shaughnessy continued, “The Governor’s office looked through the list of the schools that were recently designated A+ schools, and the Rockwood School District was recently designated as such, and the Governor took the liberty of choosing one of the four high schools to visit, and of course, he chose the best.”

Shaughnessy expressed his excitement  and importance of the visit  as a whole.  “I think for the most part it’s a great recognition that what we are doing here is good, that the results that we put out through the students and the student successes here is noticed and anytime that we can show and highlight ourselves, specifically in regards to the A+ Program, which is the purpose of his visit, really gives people the chance to see what good things come out of here as a result of being part of programs such as this one. I think it is just a deep recognition and a great honor for him to visit.”

However, Nixon’s agenda will specifically focus on a press conference in the Library concerning the A+ Program after a quick tour of Lafayette itself.  

This program, introduced last year to promote continued education after high school, has had various effects on students and has received contradictory reviews as well.

Senior Taylor McKenna was a strong supporter of the A+ Program.

He said, “It’s affected my view on college life in a huge way, making me think that I should go to a community college because it would be so cheap, rather than go to some big school, because it is more economic  to go to a community college through the A+ Program.”

Junior Tawnnie Crisante said she thought the cost was specifically worthy.

“I definitely think it’s worth the state’s money to fund the A+ Program. With all the scholarships you can get, people who normally would not be able to afford to go to a community college or anything like that can now do it, so I definitely think it’s worth it,” Crisante said.

She added, “It’s not that hard to be in the A+ program, the only thing you have to do is not get in trouble at school, which isn’t that difficult. I like it though. The only thing is that you need to have 60 hours of community service, which you can really do anything you want. I haven’t been called back into the office yet, but I will probably just work at Adventure Club at Ellisville Elementary because it is right by my house, so if I do it for an hour for two months, that is all it will take for great opportunities.”

Many students said they did not know about the Governor’s visit or had just found out recently.

Junior Ngozi Ijei said she found out from Librarian Nicci Ballard-Long, as the library is the site for the press conference.

Shaughnessy, however, said there should be no interference in the school day, even with this visit.

“The tour will only be 15 minutes in the middle of 5th Hour, and after that he will be in the library for a press conference, really during passing time, so I don’t see this really as impacting anybody, and I’m sure that people won’t even know he is here, and that’s because of the logistics of his arrival and the schedule that he has put forth that day, so it may not impact anyone at all,” he continued.

Ijei agreed by saying she didn’t see an issue with the time of Nixon’s visit.

Ijei said, “No, I really don’t think so. I probably won’t even see him while he is here, because he is going to be here during 5th Hour and I won’t even be able to see him, and so I don’t think that kids are going to be flashing pictures, or anything.”