Pickett Elementary first-graders earn special visit from MoWest’s women’s basketball team

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV)-- Missouri Western State University’s women’s basketball team stopped by Pickett Elementary to celebrate the school’s first-graders for leading the St. Joseph School District in attendance rates from August through October. 

This marks the second year MoWest has invited the elementary grade levels with the highest attendance to a December home game as a reward. 

“Our students are rewarded and get to attend a game on Monday. But my understanding is this, there will be about 2300 students at Missouri Western on Monday, cheering on the Griffons,” said Heather Gladhart, the principal at Pickett Elementary.  

Gladhart said attendance has been strong this year, crediting both staff and parents for working together to make sure students are in school every day.  

Gladhart also said, earning this recognition is a major accomplishment for the school community.  

“I hope that they take away by knowing that, when they come to school, that they get to see the benefits not only in what they are learning, but also the benefits of getting to celebrate and attend a field trip,” Gladhart said.  

MoWest Senior and Shooting Guard, Meredith Rieker, said she expected the visit to be a heartwarming one and was excited to see how much it meant to the students.  

She said attendance matters because it shapes how kids experience school, giving them more chances to be part of activities and create memories. 

Rieker said she can’t wait to see the students pack the stadium on Monday.  

“I remember last year the men did it, and it was just so loud the whole time... It was so fun. So, I've been looking forward to this game since last year when it happened,” Rieker said.  

She also emphasized the importance of building good habits at a young age, which sets them apart from others in the future  

“So it's good to just get the discipline actions now and just kind of learning at a young age is good for their future,” Rieker said.  

Rieker added that, no matter the outcome of Monday’s game, her hope for the kids is to enjoy their field trip and the experience of cheering on the Griffons.