Helias Catholic High School senior Karoline Klebba has been distinguished as one of the top academic students in the state through the 2024 Missouri Scholars 100 program.

This statewide initiative, organized by the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals, recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of 100 outstanding students from the graduating class of 2024.

Karoline is in her second year participating in undergraduate-level chemistry research through Helias Catholic’s Independent Research program in partnership with the University of Missouri-Columbia; this weekend she will return to the American Chemical Society meeting to present her research project.

Karoline is Student Council president and a member of Helias Catholic’s National Honor Society and Honor Council, and a senior Campus Ministry leader, among other activities. She is a four-year member of the Helias Catholic softball team, having earned All-State, Academic All-State, All-Conference and All-District honors; and she represents Board District 5 as a member of the Missouri State High School Activities Association’s Student Advisory Committee.

Missouri Scholars 100 is a competitive program that invites schools across the state to nominate candidates based on academic excellence. The selection process employs a formula considering the student’s grade point average and ACT or SAT scores. Nominees must meet the criteria of an “Academic Decathlon,” successfully navigating 10 challenging academic events to showcase their scholastic strength.

To qualify, students must hold a minimum GPA of 3.750, a minimum ACT score of 29 or a minimum SAT score of 1,280, rank in the upper 10% of their class, and engage in advanced coursework in mathematics, science, English, and world language. Additionally, nominees must exhibit excellent attendance, exemplary citizenship within the school, and active participation in the school’s activity program.

“We’re incredibly proud of Karoline, all that she has accomplished in her time at Helias Catholic, and all she stands to achieve in the future,” said Helias Catholic Principal Spencer Allen. “Karoline’s integrity and commitment to excellence are a great witness to the core values of our school community.”

Clark Mershon, executive director of the principals’ association, expressed: “The Missouri Scholars 100 Program is one of the premier academic recognition programs in the country. It is truly a celebration of learning. Students selected for this program have taken a rigorous course of study and maintained the highest academic standards. The Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals wants to celebrate the achievement and success of these students and their schools.