Ballwin Woman Gets State Academic Honors

The Missouri Community College Association recently recognized a woman from Ballwin for classroom excellence.

When she still attended St. Louis Community College-Wildwood, Tracy Shelmire worked 40-plus hours a week as a restaurant manager, dog-watcher and baby sitter. She also has given her time to volunteer causes including Campus Crusade for Christ, the St. Louis Audubon Society and Walk for Autism.

Shelmire transferred from to Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau in January where she will pursue a nursing degree. She also recently was chosen to serve as a resident assistant at the university next year.

Also recognized was Rachel Wood of Eureka, who along with Shelmire, was appointed to the MCAA/Phi Theta Kappa 2011-All Missouri Academic teams. Wood was named to the First team; Shelmire was named to the Second team.

Shelmire and Wood were among the 35 students chosen from nominees of each of Missouri’s 24 Phi Theta Kappa (honor society) chapters. The 10 highest scoring students are on the All-Missouri First Team and receive a $500 scholarship. The next 10 students, named to the Second team, receive a $300 scholarship. There also is a Third Team.

The students were honored at a special luncheon in Jefferson City hosted by Missouri Community College Association and attended by Gov. Jay Nixon. Shelmire was not present.