Each year, 14 students from Missouri schools are recognized with the Glory of Missouri Awards. These awards are given to students who exemplify the 14 virtues that are engraved on the Missouri House of Chambers. 

The recipients of the Glory of Missouri Award from Lafayette are:

• Joseph Lu- Knowledge
• Abbas Khan- Liberty
• Anna Samsonov- Equality
• Megan Greenstein- Law
• Lily Cooper- Justice
• Elizabeth Burton- Fraternity
• Nassim Oufattole- Education
• Uchechukwu Ijei- Progress
• Rohan Bohra- Honor
• Jakob Molskness- Truth
• Olivia Stebner- Virtue
• Alicja Blaszczyk- Temperance
• Shlok Natarajan- Enterprise
• Alyssa Hahn- Charity

On Feb. 26, these students traveled to the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City for the Glory of Missouri ceremony. In addition, these students talked to a Missouri representative and toured the capitol.

“We went to the room that all of our representatives vote on bills in,” Glory of Missouri recipient Uche Ijei said. “It was so real, just knowing that this was the room that our representatives make all the very real decision that impact our lives.”

The students talked to representatives, accepted their awards and then were free to eat lunch before returning home.

“It was a great trip, and it was nice to see the capitol and the places where our representatives are,” Ijei said.

The students were selected by faculty members at Lafayette.

“We don’t really know too much about the selection process other than that. We don’t know who nominated us either,” Ijei said.

Despite not knowing much about the selection process, the nominees are extremely pleased with the honor. 

“I’m really grateful that my teachers and faculty nominated me for this award. It means a lot to me, so I’m very thankful,” recipient Joseph Lu said.