![Watching a small group scrimmage, Ben Lundt, St. Louis City SC goalkeeper and founder of Lundt Pro Soccer Training, shouts words of encouragement to players on Sunday, April 26 n the Lafayette grass soccer field. “The idea behind [the event] was to bring the professional soccer players closer to the community because usually people only get to see us on TV or in the stadium. [Families] actually having the opportunity to have their kids on the field with us is the most important aspect,” Ben Lundt said.](https://lancerfeed.press/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6823-1200x800.jpg)
![In celebration of winning his second straight state title in the 215 weight class, junior Carter Brown backflips before leaving the mat. Brown won his bout against junior Kobe Rhymes of North Kansas City High School by fall in just 41 seconds. "Carter does what Carter does. We expect [success] out of him and his goals are bigger than the state championship," coach Sam Ritchie said.](https://lancerfeed.press/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_2784-1200x800.jpg)
Pitchyaiah attends Missouri 100 Scholars luncheon
Accompanied by her parents and sister, Prathi Pitchyaiah receives her Missouri 100 Scholars awards.
May 18, 2018
Every April, two students from several Missouri high schools are selected by their principals as Missouri 100 scholars. Sponsored by the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals, these students are the epitome of academic strength.
Nominated students must meet the criteria for the “Academic Decathlon”, the requirements for which include a minimum GPA of 3.750, a minimum ACT score of 29 or a minimum SAT score of 1,900, be ranked in the upper ten percent of the class and have taken upper-level courses in mathematics, science, English, and foreign language.
“The program basically honors the top 100 Missouri scholars. They do that by your academics, involvement, community service and a few other things,” Pitchyaiah said.
From Lafayette, the 2018 scholars are Rithik Reddy and Prathi Pitchyaiah.
“Mrs. (Cheryl) Egan called me in and told me that she wanted to nominate me for this. After the selection process was over, they just let me know that I was one of the scholars,” Pitchyaiah said.
On April 22, 2018, both Reddy and Pitchyaiah were invited to a Missouri 100 Scholars Luncheon in Columbia. However, Reddy was unable to attend.
“At the luncheon, we ate some amazing food and got a plaque for our accomplishments,” Pitchyaiah said. “It was an amazing opportunity and I am so glad that Lafayette provided me with this honor.”
![Watching a small group scrimmage, Ben Lundt, St. Louis City SC goalkeeper and founder of Lundt Pro Soccer Training, shouts words of encouragement to players on Sunday, April 26 n the Lafayette grass soccer field. “The idea behind [the event] was to bring the professional soccer players closer to the community because usually people only get to see us on TV or in the stadium. [Families] actually having the opportunity to have their kids on the field with us is the most important aspect,” Ben Lundt said.](https://lancerfeed.press/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6823-300x200.jpg)
