Regions
For regional competition, the Junior Academy students are divided throughout the state according to the following:
Regional Competitions Dates
Please note that if no competition is being held in your region that you may compete in other regions (you should reach out to the regional director of the region in which you would like to compete). Please note all “in person” meetings are subject to change to a hybrid or virtual format. For questions about deadlines, competition details, etc. related to your regional competition, please reach out directly to your regional director. Students must qualify at a regional competition to compete at the state competition.
- Kansas City Region: no competition
- Mastodon Region: March 16th @ Jefferson College
- Northeast Region: March 3rd, 2026 @ Central Methodist University
- Northwest Region: TBD @ Missouri Western State University
- Ozark Region: TBD @ Missouri State University
- Southeast Region: TBD @ Southeast Missouri State University
- Southwest Region: March 24th, 2026 @ Missouri Southern State University
- St. Louis Region: March 14, 2026 @ Marquette High School
Region Directors
Kansas City Region
Open Director Position
(please email state directors if
you or your institution would
be interested in hosting a
regional competition)
Mastodon Region
Ms. Samantha DeClue
314-529-1329
director@mastodonfair.org
http://www.mastodonfair.org/
Northeast Region
Dr. James “Tiger” Gordon
Central Methodist University
jgordon@centralmethodist.edu
Dr. Shayna Burchett
Central Methodist University
Northwest Region
Dr. Csengele Barta
Missouri Western State University
cbarta1@missouriwestern.edu
Ozark Region
Mr. Dylan Welker
Missouri State University
Southeast Region
Dr. Indi Braden
Southeast Missouri State University
isbraden@semo.edu
Southwest Region
Dr. Teresa Boman
Missouri Southern State University
boman-t@mssu.edu
Dr. Mary (Katie) Kilmer
Missouri Southern State University
kilmer-m@mssu.edu
St. Louis Region
Ms. Jennifer Hess
Dr. Cathy Farrar
Marquette High School
farrarcathy@rsdmo.org
Affiliation
To maintain affiliation with the MJAS, regions must pay an annual affiliation fee of $500. Students who compete at affiliated regions have the benefit of their registration fee being waived for the state competition. Students who compete at an unaffiliated region are responsible for paying a $50 registration fee/student for the state competition.
Funds raised through the affiliation fee are used to support and maintain the MJAS, thus ensuring the continued opportunities provided by this competition to our state middle and high school students.