Sikeston student takes part in 85th Annual Sophomore Pilgrimage to Jefferson City

Spencer Clay

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A Sikeston student was one of approximately 150 sophomores in high school throughout Missouri that visited Jefferson City to witness the state government in action on April 9.

Sponsored by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Missouri, Sikeston sophomore Spencer Clay toured the Capital, Governor’s Mansion and heard remarks from Gov. Mike Parson and other elected officials during a luncheon. Each student received a Certificate of Citizenship for their participation in the pilgrimage.

Students are chosen that exemplify high standards of honor, courage, citizenship, scholarship, leadership and service. Five students from the upper fourth of their high school class scholastically are nominated by faculty and the student body or the sophomore class votes to make the final selection.

In 1934, Mary Hinton Morris of the Women’s Club in Hannibal, Mo., and first Sophomore Pilgrimage chairman said, “The crying need of today is for more discreet, considerate, intelligent and loyal citizenship… the future of our state and nation lies in the hands of our children.”

Her dream was to foster responsible citizenship among students. The first annual sponsorship by GFWC clubs of outstanding sophomores from high schools all over the state of Missouri to observe the inner workings of state government, to tour government buildings and listen to top state officials began March 5, 1935.