Gasconade County Head Start students gathered for a group photograph Thursday with teachers and parents helping that day to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the program which began in 1965 under President Lyndon B. Johnson’s “War on Poverty.” Head Start is the nation’s longest-running and most successful national child development program which incorporates comprehensive early-childhood educational programs, health and nutritional services, and parental engagement services for low-income children and their families. President Ronald Reagan proclaimed October as Head Start Month on Oct. 22, 1982. Since 1994, Early Head Start was established to serve children under the age of 3 along with pregnant women. Missouri Ozarks Community Action (MOCA) Head Start and Early Head Start is based in Richland, Mo., and provides services to 468 children and their families in eight counties including Gasconade, Maries, Crawford, Camden, Laclede, Miller, Phelps, and Pulaski. Gasconade County Head Start educators and staff this year include Megan Hengstenberg (teacher/director), Laurie McFalls (teacher), Madalyn Jahnsen (teacher), LaRayna Pirrie (family advocate), and Beth Sharp (cook).  The children will conclude the month’s activities with an Owensville Scenic Regional Library storyteller’s visit Monday at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 21.