Earlier this year, I was given the chance to spend three weeks of my summer vacation as a participant of the Missouri Scholars Academy, or MSA. The program is made for gifted students in the state of Missouri and offers an assortment of courses that enables rising juniors to explore. I was personally enrolled in Finding Hogwarts and Intro to Philosophy.

It would be an understatement to say that I had been ecstatic when the letter of acceptance to the program came. The program seemed both challenging and exciting as it would provide me with several new opportunities to gain knowledge and practice living independently. I was confident that the program would foster the academic environment that I craved; An environment that would enable me to explore my personal interests and stimulate my mind. Yet, as I began packing for the program, I also began to worry about the entire experience. Several questions and concerns floated around in my mind.

Would I be able to make friends and build a community with strangers?

Would I enjoy the social aspect of the program?

Would I be able to stay away from home for so long?

Would I stay connected to my peers after the program?

My questions were soon answered after walking through the doors of the dormitory. To explain, in just three short weeks, I can confidently say that I gained an immense amount of knowledge, discovered new passions, and found a home away from home; I have grown tremendously, both in my knowledge of the world and as a person. Most importantly, however, I established friendships that will last a lifetime and basically found a new family. There was never a moment in which I did not feel welcome and every day seemed special in its own way.

The program offered hundreds of activities, seminars, and social events. There was never a day that I was left in boredom, and each moment was spent with people that sincerely enjoyed learning and cared about the world around them.

Square dancing, daily word search puzzles, Kevin Wanzer, community service, highs and lows, the MSA choir, and the Freshman Love Song were just a few of the wonderful things that I both experienced and will hold dear to my heart forever.

Even after the program was over, and even after we said our goodbyes, our MSA family is as close as ever. Whether it is through impromptu reunions or random Snapchats, we have all managed to stay connected.

To answer my questions from before, I would simply reply yes to all of them. Through MSA, I have expanded my leadership skills, made memories that I will remember forever, gained insight to new topics, and discovered a new community that not only accepts me for who I am but embraces and celebrates the person that I am and will become. MSA helped me recognize that I can achieve my goals, no matter how big they may be and gave me a sense of purpose.

Boomba! Hey!