Twin Rivers youth joins elite group of scholars

A Twin Rivers High School senior has been named to an elite group of Missouri’s top academic students in the graduating Class of 2019.

Blake Bleem has been selected for the 2019 Missouri Scholars 100.

“Being one of 100 in Missouri feels pretty good, especially since I’m not from a big school like most who win are from and they all have 36’s on the ACT,” he said.

With an ACT score of 35, Bleem said he liked the math and science portion of the test because it was “fun and easy” to him, while the English portion was his least favorite part of the test.

“It’s not too bad of a test,” he said when comparing the ACT to the Beta convention math test.

He first took the ACT as a sophomore scoring a 33 and a 35 his junior year. With a near perfect score, he decided to opt out of taking the test his senior year.

Bleem’s brother, Cameron, was also named a Missouri Scholars 100 last year.

“I thought I might also get the award because I had the good grades like my brother, but I didn’t think I would actually receive it,” the younger Bleem said. “So it was really cool.”

The announcement was made by Twin Rivers High School Principal Misti Lovelace, who nominated Bleem.

“Blake receiving the award is great because there is a certain criteria students have to meet,” she said. “The foreign language requirement or ACT score is what got some students in the past.”

This is the second time in six years as principal and a member of the sponsor group, Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals, that Lovelace had a student eligible for nomination.

Bleem will be recognized during a luncheon this Sunday in Columbia.

“I’m super proud to have us represented,” she said.

With a friendly competition among the brothers, Lovelace admitted Cameron told her his younger brother was the smarter of the two.

Blake was quick to disagree, while Lovelace said even with the friendly competition, Cameron is a proud big brother.

Bleem admits his higher ACT score during his junior year made for fun bragging rights during his older brother’s senior year.

“It felt pretty good, even though it was just one point,” he said with a smile.

The Missouri Scholars 100 are selected on a formula using the student’s grade point average and ACT score.

Each student nominated had first to meet criteria of an “Academic Decathlon,” which included 10 “events” designed to assure the academic strength of the student.

Recipients must also have a minimum GPA of 3.750, ACT score of at least 29, be ranked in the upper 10% of the class and have taken high-level courses in math, science, English and foreign language.

The student must also have excellent attendance, be an exemplary school citizen and involved in the school activity program.

Active in Beta, FBLA, Scholar Bowl and Robotics’ president, in addition to holding a part-time job, Bleem said he has lost a lot of free time while maintaining his high academic status.

“Most of the clubs and activities are fun, so it’s not too big of a deal for me,” he added.

Twin Rivers High School College & Career Counselor Anna Whitlow described Bleem as a “quiet role model” in the school.

“Blake leads by example,” she said. “Students know he takes his studies seriously. Even with his clubs, he is always serious about doing his best.”

Whitlow also added Bleem is always polite, has great manners and respects not only his teachers, but fellow students.

Bleem wants to encourage all his fellow students to strive to reach for academic success by trying, studying and practicing.

“I don’t go home every night and spend 10 hours studying,” he said. “I just try hard and am able to do it.”

Whitlow said it has been a real honor for the small, rural high school to have two Missouri Scholars in the last two years.

“This really showcases what a great student body we have at Twin Rivers,” she said.

In addition to school staff and students, Bleem said his parents, Michael and Stacie, were pretty happy to learn both their sons were Missouri Scholars.

“It feels good to be able to say you are on top,” Bleem said. “I don’t want to sound like I’m bragging, but it’s nice to know that I can do it.”