Melissa Willoughby, a student from Notre Dame High School, has been selected as one of 330 students to attend the 2010 Missouri Scholars Academy.

The three-week residential program began this week and continues through July 13 on the campus of the University of Missouri-Columbia.

The Missouri Scholars Academy offers students exposure to a wide range of activities as well as to intensive instruction in their chosen area of specialization.

The academy’s faculty is comprised of outstanding teachers from high schools throughout the state. Guest speakers, performers, discussions and career education will be combined with extracurricular and social activities to round out the curriculum.

Academically, students who are selected to attend the academy represent the top one-half of 1 percent of the state’s sophomore class.

Melissa enjoys art and costume crew at Notre Dame High School and is very active in the youth group at Queen of all Saints Catholic Church in Oakville.