It has been an exciting and action-packed two days in Jefferson City for some special guests from the 25th District. For the fourth consecutive year, my office hosted 50 high school students and several chaperones from Caruthersville, Charleston, Hayti, Malden and New Madrid. Their day began Tuesday afternoon with a tour of our beautiful State Capitol building seeing the many paintings, murals, museum, rotunda as well as the Senate chamber. Afterwards, several State Representatives and Senators spoke to them sharing their personal backgrounds and testimonials, encouraging them to be the best they can be and stressing the importance of education in their lives. They also heard from Major Malik Henderson and Captain Roger Whittler from the Highway Patrol, as well as Attorney General Josh Hawley and businessman Tim Drury. Following some good food and snacks, the group headed to their hotel and some students chose to have fun and visit at the hotel pool while others went and played basketball at the highway patrol academy gym.
On Wednesday morning, the group toured the Missouri Supreme Court, which was a big hit. Chief Justice Patricia Breckenridge gave them an exclusive tour of the historic building and explained to them what it was like to be a judge in the court chambers. The fun continued as the students made their way to the Missouri State Highway Patrol General Headquarters and were welcomed by Colonel Sandy Karsten for tours and a big pizza party lunch. In addition to visiting the museum, they also saw demonstrations from the K-9 and bomb squad teams! Students learned more about and saw first-hand the hard work it takes to be successful in any career. Many Highway Patrol troopers from the Command Staff have visited the students at their schools and in their communities recently.
There are many to thank for making this trip possible, beginning with the ERASE Foundation, Pastor Jamie Jones and his wife, Deborah, from Divine Holiness Outreach Ministry in Caruthersville, Lester Gillespie of the Bowden Center in Charleston, and Pastor Earl Grissom in New Madrid. New Madrid School District and Robinson Transport provided the busses and many chaperones took their personal time in helping to make this a memorable trip. Big thanks to my staff Kyle and Ashley, Herman Styles and many other volunteers for helping out both days. These kids were just amazing; their good conduct, attitudes and passion for learning was easily seen!
