14 virtues surround the state capitol and now, 14 MHS seniors represent each one.

“Glory of Missouri is a great honor for any student to get,” Senior Principal Mr. McGehee said. “Essentially there are 14 virtues that are actually around the state capital and each student who receives the award represents one of those 14 virtues.

On Monday, Feb. 29, these 14 students received the Glory of Missouri award by State Representative Kirk Matthews in Jefferson City. The day in Jefferson City involved touring the capitol, going inside the house chambers, and banging the gavel on the speaker’s’ chair. Unique to this year, the students went all the way to the top on the rotunda, an area closed off from the general public, and looked out over the city and the Missouri River.

All teachers have the opportunity to nominate students who exemplify one of the 14 virtues, and then whoever is nominated in each category is brought forth and voted on by the faculty.

Jacob Kauppila, senior, was recognized for the virtue of enterprise. At first, Kauppila didn’t feel like the best candidate for the virtue according to his personal definition of enterprise.

But when read aloud the definition by State Representative Kirk Matthews, Kauppila said he felt like a good fit.

The award defined enterprise as the “willingness or eagerness to engage in what requires boldness, energy; an ettempt or project, especially one which involves activity, courage, energy, or the like or arduous endeavor” from Webster dictionary 1926.

“I felt really proud of what I was nominated for,” Kauppila said. “I feel like I am pretty audacious and energetic and have the ability to try and take on projects way over my head, but I always go at it with the best of my abilities.”

Lucy Tuholske, senior, was awarded the virtue of charity which is defined as “A habit of good will in the soul, which disposes us to the love, assistance, and relief of mankind, especially of those who stand in the need of it.”

Tuholske said she can’t think of specific examples of charity, but that she always strives to be nice and accepting toward others.

“I’m glad the faculty and staff at Marquette saw me as worthy and I hope to keep up that standard for these last couple of months at Marquette,” Tuholske said.