This month, just days after a storm blanketed Missouri in snow, the Civic Scholars Classes of 2025 and 2026 embarked on their annual immersion trip. From Jan. 7 to 10, and with an itinerary that required flexibility due to the weather, the Civic Scholars met with community organizations, local elected and city management officials, and small business owners, while traveling to communities like North St. Louis and Cherokee Street, Jefferson City, Missouri, and Columbia, Missouri. The Civic Scholars witnessed a swearing-in ceremony for new state legislators, learned about the inner workings of city government and the relationship between citizens and city councils, heard from a state lobbyist about how organizations make their cases for legislative votes, and enjoyed some local food and fun in each community.
