POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — School of the Ozarks eighth grade student Grayson Nievar was presented with the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for American Patriotism after participating in a statewide letter-writing contest sponsored by Missouri’s Lt. Gov. David Wasinger in honor of America’s 250th anniversary.

Out of 525 participants from across Missouri, Nievar was chosen for the award in recognition of his patriotic spirit and thoughtful expression of American values. Nievar and his family have been invited to attend a recognition ceremony in Jefferson City, Missouri this summer.

Jennifer Carey, assistant professor and curriculum director for grades six through eight, said Nievar’s recognition reflects the mission and values of the school.

“At S of O, students learn the importance of expressing truth in a winsome, beautiful way,” Carey said. “All the components of a student’s experience at S of O helped to shape Grayson’s God-given talent of recognizing the virtue of piety and patriotism and speaking eloquently about it. Grayson’s recognition by our Lieutenant Governor of Missouri is a humbling honor that reflects each pillar of a School of the Ozarks education.”

At School of the Ozarks, educators teach the importance of patriotism, responsible citizenship, character and service through classroom instruction and daily application as students learn to live out the school’s five foundational pillars — Christian, Academic, Vocational, Cultural, and Patriotic.