Richland top students profiled

ESSEX, Mo. -- Graduating Richland seniors, Kelly Motta and Jessica Shidler were named Valedictorian and Salutatorian, respectively, for the 2013 graduating class.

Kelly Motta is the daughter of Tammie Motta and plans to attend Missouri State University. She graduated with a GPA of 3.93. Her activities at Richland included Beta, A+, Honors Member 4 years, and college preparatory certificate.

Motta is the recipient of several awards and scholarships including: College Preparatory Award, Outstanding Art Cadet Teacher Award, Elk Student of the Month which included a $50 award, the Provost Scholarship to Missouri State University worth $2,500 (renewable to $10,000), the Missouri A+ Scholarship for $5,364 renewable to $10,728, and the Richland Community Scholarship for $500.

Shidler

Salutatorian Jessica Shidler is the daughter of Wilber and Misty Shidler and plans to attend Southeast Missouri University. She graduated from Richland with a GPA of 3.81.

Shidler is the recipient of the Outstanding Colored Pencil Skills Award, the Psychology Award, the College Preparatory Award, the Richland CTA Scholarship for $500, the Essex Lions Club Scholarship for $200, a scholarship from Southeast Missouri State University for $1,000, renewable to $2,000. the SEMO Dale White Scholarship for $800, the SEMO Superintendent Association Scholarship for $750, the Missouri A+ Scholarship for $5,364, renewable to $10,728, the Missouri BETA Scholarship for $500 and the Richland BETA Leadership Scholarship.

She was a member of BETA, served as BETA State Secretary, was in the A+ Program, and Honors member for all four years, and earned her college preparatory certificate.