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.”