SGHS Students Recognized For Being Selected For Leadership Opportunities

Each summer, many Ste. Genevieve High School (SGHS) students are chosen to represent the R-II School District at leadership conferences throughout the state of Missouri.
Closures and cancellations have upset the plans for dozens of events for members of the Ste. Genevieve R-II family, including the leadership opportunities. Some conferences have canceled, others have been postponed, and one has shared a promise to welcome these students into next year’s program.
The following lists students who were recognized because of their leadership skills and potential.
Missouri Scholars Academy
SGHS sophomore Peyton Bequette, daughter of Chris and Johna Bequette, was nominated to attend Missouri Scholars Academy during the summer of 2020.
Founded in 1985, the academy is a three-week academic residential program for 330 of Missouri’s upcoming juniors held on the University of Missouri-Columbia campus. The program is based on the premise that Missouri’s gifted youth must be provided with special opportunities for learning and personal development in order for them to realize their full potential. The program is funded through the University of Missouri; the Missouri Legislature; a fee from those students attending; and through contributions from alumni, parents and businesses and corporations around the state. Ste. Gen. Vision Care sponsors local student participation in the program.
Missouri Leadership
Seminar
SGHS sophomore Abigail Moore was chosen to take part in the Missouri Leadership Seminar (MLS) during the summer of 2020, and SGHS sophomore Paige Huck was chosen as an alternate attendee for the program.
Moore is the daughter of Tom and Lisa Moore, and Huck is the daughter of Dan and Heather Huck.
The seminar takes place at the University of Central Missouri campus and seeks to give student government leaders, academic achievers, athletes and others the opportunity to learn about topics that impact their lives today and in the future. While it was canceled this summer, all 2020 nominees will be extended an invitation to attend MLS in 2021. Schools will be encouraged to nominate a sophomore for next year in addition to their nominee for this year.
Missouri Rotary
Youth Leadership Academy
SGHS sophomores Elizabeth Basler and Isabel Basler were chosen to take part in the Missouri Rotary Youth Leadership Academy during the summer of 2020 at the William Woods University campus in Fulton, Missouri.
Elizabeth Basler is the daughter of James and Linda Basler, and Isabel Basler is the daughter of Paul and Kathleen Basler.
The academy is a four-day service leadership program that introduces Rotary’s “Service Above Self” philosophy. The curriculum, developed and administered by professional educators, includes a personality self-assessment, team building activities, and a two-day service project simulation.
The Ste. Genevieve Rotary sponsors local student participation in the program.
Hugh O’Brian
Youth Leadership Program
SGHS sophomore Kylee Clayton was chosen to take part in the Hugh O’Brian Youth (HOBY) Leadership Program during the summer of 2020. SGHS sophomores Kali Schweigert and Corey Simmons were chosen as alternate attendees for the program.

Clayton is the daughter of Russell and Melanie Clayton, Schweigert is the daughter of Kim Brown and John Schweigert, and Simmons is the son of Kenneth and Jessica Naeger.
HOBY takes place at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau. The seminar is designed to help high school sophomores recognize their leadership talents and apply them to become effective, ethical leaders in their home, school, workplace and community.
Students were selected based on leadership, academics and character.
The GFWC Woman’s Club of Ste. Genevieve, a chapter of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, sponsors local student participation in the program.
Sophomore Pilgrimage
SGHS sophomore Haley DiMercurio was chosen to take part in the Sophomore Pilgrimage during the summer of 2020. SGHS sophomore Lana Kemper was chosen as an alternate attendee for the program.
DiMercurio is the daughter of Tiffany and Joseph DiMercurio, and Kemper is the daughter of Toby and Della Kemper.
The Sophomore Pilgrimage takes place in Jeffersity City. The project promotes good citizenship and enables students to see state government in action. Students watch elected officials in session and are presented with a Certificate of Merit in Citizenship.
The GFWC Woman’s Club of Ste. Genevieve sponsors local student participation in the program.
Missouri Boys State
SGHS juniors Bryce Barley, Devin St. Clair and Luke Basler were chosen to participate in the 2020 American Legion Boys State of Missouri program.
Barley is the son of Mandy Smith and Scott Barley, St. Clair is the son of Cheryl and Ron Wohlstadter and Eugene St. Clair, and Basler is the son of Eric and Julie Basler.
Missouri Boys State is an eight-day hands-on experience focusing on the fundamentals of government at the University of Central Missouri campus. The program invites students to develop their leadership skills through going through the motions of governmental processes. Nearly 1,000 student leaders build an entire state government in a single week. The three students were selected based on their leadership, academics and character.
American Legion Post 150 sponsors local student participation in the program.
Missouri Girls State
SGHS juniors Haley Wooldridge and Sydney Eisenbeis were chosen to take part in Missouri Girls State during the summer of 2020. SGHS junior Vela Lightle was chosen as an alternate attendee for the program.
Wooldridge is the daughter of Amanda and Jeff Wooldridge, Eisenbeis is the daughter of Kathy and Rick Eisenbeis, and Lightle is the daughter of Gina Lightle.
Missouri Girls State takes place in Warrensburg, and the program is a hands-on experience focusing on the fundamentals of government where students learn to develop their leadership skills through going through the motions of governmental processes.
MIZZOU’s Mini
Medical School
SGHS junior Sydney Eisenbeis was accepted into MIZZOU’s Mini Medical Camp for the summer of 2020.
She is the daughter of Rick and Kathy Eisenbeis.
The program provides high school students interested in careers in medicine the opportunity to preview what medical school will be like. Mini Medical School offers an introduction to patient-based learning; special sessions with clinical and research specialists; hospital tours; hands-on experience in anatomy, microbiology and clinical skills; meaningful interactions with current School of Medicine students, faculty, and staff; seminars on college and medical school application processes and life as a medical student; and more.
(Information, photos in a news release from the Ste. Genevieve R-II School District)