KU News Release

KU to honor 37 seniors from four Montgomery County high schools Nov. 12

LAWRENCE — Students from four Kansas high schools will be honored Wednesday, Nov. 12, by the University of Kansas Alumni Association and KU Endowment.

A total of 37 seniors from four high schools in Montgomery County will be recognized for their academic achievements and named Kansas Honor Scholars at a 6:30 p.m. dinner program at Independence Country Club, 2824 Country Club Circle, Independence.

The Kansas Honors Program began in 1971 and has honored more than 100,000 students. Scholars rank in the top 10 percent of their high school senior classes and are selected regardless of curricula, majors, occupational plans or higher-education goals. Honorees are listed below.

During the ceremony, each student will receive an American Heritage Dictionary in hardcover and CD versions, presented by KU Alumni Association representative David Ochoa, coordinator of member relations.

Barbara Ballard, associate director for outreach at the Dole Institute of Politics, will speak to the students and their parents and guests.

Honored students will be guests of the alumni association and KU Endowment; parents and area alumni are welcome to attend.

Community volunteers collect reservations, coordinate details and serve as local contacts for the event. Nancy Wright, Coffeyville, is the site coordinator, and Garen Cox, Independence, is the county coordinator.

The Kansas Honors Program is made possible through KU Endowment and proceeds from the Jayhawk license plate program.

Honorees are listed below by high school.

Caney Valley High School: Shari Blecha, Caitlin Estes, Christopher Henry, Brittany Owen, Doyle “Dalton” Powell, Jakob Price and Alyssa Whitman

Cherryvale High School: Kenan Booe, Clint Diver, Abby Ezard, Miles McGovney and Justin Prather

Field Kindley Memorial High School: Kari Bachman, Kara Bidleman, Charles Davidson, Michel Gates, Brittany Hoggatt, Kaylee Koch, Amanda Lewman, Katelyn Neely, Boone Ott, Sarah Rinkenbaugh, Andrea Smith, Zachary Smith and Kari Vannoster

Independence High School: Courtney Chambers, Kirsten Miller, Logan Null, Daniel Porter, Seth Prather, Brooke Rollison, Carlie Shire, Caitlin Shire, Autumn Stroble, Thomas Trombold, Grant Webster and Brandi Wright

-30-

The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.