The state of Missouri has 14 virtues that the members of the Missouri House of Representatives are expected to represent. These virtues are known as “The Glory of Missouri”: Knowledge, Liberty, Equality, Law, Justice, Fraternity, Education, Progress, Honor, Truth, Virtue, Temperance, Enterprise and Charity.
Each year, teachers nominate current seniors who feel encapsulate one of the virtues, then collectively decide upon the recipients. The chosen students will then go to Jefferson City on Feb. 26 to attend the ceremony.
“Glory of Missouri” Award was created to encourage the values held by the early leaders of Missouri and to recognize those standards as exemplified in schools and communities by this state’s young people, the future of Missouri.
Harsh Bains, senior, received the Glory of Missouri award for Virtue.
When Bains was called down to the commons on the morning of February 5th, he was nervous.
“I went there and saw pretty much every grade level principal,” Bains said. “There were some other students there, and my first thought was ‘Am I getting expelled?’”
Instead, he was greeted with donuts and an award.
“We were too awkward to say anything,” Bains said. “It was a weird exchange, but I felt gratified and I was very thankful for the award.”
Bains thinks that the common factor between all winners of the award is respect.
“We have a sense of respect with staff members and other students,” Bains said. “Respect is obviously very important in just today’s world; that’s something that I think the awards want, and I think respect is a big part of virtue.”
Gavin Lingafelter, senior, received the Glory of Missouri Award for Law. The award came as a surprise to him as well.
“I had no idea this was even a thing until about 8:45 this morning,” Lingafelter said.
Despite having never heard of the award, he felt honored to receive it because of the company he was in.
“I think it’s nice that I got the award, and there’s a lot of good people who also got awards,” Lingafelter said. “It’s nice to be part of a group of people who I know are good people.”
Veronica Wolf, senior, received the Glory of Missouri Award for Charity.
Wolf has taken on the role of running the Special Olympics this year and she is excited that her work is being recognized.
“Seeing my achievements put into physical form was really cool and I’m very thankful for that, it’s a cool opportunity,” Wolf said.
She also voices the importance of recognizing students in this manner.
“I feel like a lot of students’ hard work goes unnoticed. Something like this is very cool because 14 different virtues that are recognized.” Wolf said. “There are so many students that represent these virtues so well, so being able to see them get noticed for that is important.”
Elliott Jorgensen, senior, received the Glory of Missouri Award for Truth.
“The virtues that everyone got assigned were very fitting to them as a person,” Jorgensen said.
He also echoes that this is a good way to motivate students to be the best version of themselves.
“I think it’s nice to show this off because then it promotes the kids who are doing good work and makes underclassmen, look up to us and be cognizant that this exists,” Jorgensen said. “I also think it’s nice that our government has ways to appreciate school kids because I think that’s something that they really need to do more, and I think this is in the right direction.”