JEFFERSON CITY, MO – State Representative Bennie Cook recently presented a Show-Me America 250 commemorative t-shirt to the Belle High School Tiger mascot during a home ball game, recognizing Belle High School’s participation in Missouri’s statewide effort to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026.

As the nation prepares to mark America’s Semiquincentennial, the America 250 Missouri Commission is working to ensure Missouri plays a leading role in honoring this historic milestone. The Commission is partnering with schools and communities across the state by providing promotional items designed to encourage civic engagement, pride, and education among students and residents.

One of those initiatives, the “Battle with the Mascot” program, provides Missouri 250 t-shirts for school mascots to wear at public events. The program is coordinated in partnership with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (DHEWD).

“The goal is to make sure every community in Missouri is part of this once-in-a-generation celebration,” Cook said. “By bringing these items directly to our schools, we’re helping spark conversations about our history, our values, and the future we’re building together.”

In addition to the mascot shirts, the America 250 Missouri Commission is also distributing commemorative flags through its “Flags of Freedom” program, encouraging counties to fly the Missouri 250 flag over their courthouses from Veterans Day 2025 through July 4, 2026.

Cook, a graduate of Belle High School, said the presentation was especially meaningful.

“It was an honor to present this shirt to the Belle Tigers and to come back to the school I graduated from,” Cook said. “Belle High School played an important role in my life, and it’s special to celebrate our nation’s history alongside the next generation of Missourians right here at home.”

The Missouri 250 celebration will continue statewide through 2026, with communities, schools, and local organizations participating in events and programs that highlight Missouri’s role in America’s past, present, and future.

Rep. Bennie Cook, a Republican, represents Texas, Maries, and Phelps counties (District 143) in the Missouri House of Representatives. He was elected in November 2020. For more information, please contact Rep. Cook at 573-751-2264 or Bennie.Cook@house.mo.gov.