Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri is among 24 winners being recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the White House in a recent contest for school improvement.

The organization runs mentoring programs that serve Cape Girardeau and the St. Louis area and is being honored for an early warning and recognition system, ABC Today!. The system is currently in use in the Cape Girardeau School District and promotes attendance, good behavior and success in reading and math.

Representatives from the White House, U.S. Department of Education and the Corporation for National and Community Service gathered Monday in Washington, D.C., to announce the winners in the contest, the Together for Tomorrow School Improvement Challenge, according to a news release from the organization.