KU News Release

KU to honor 59 seniors from high schools in Cherokee, Labette counties on Oct. 6

LAWRENCE — Students from eight Kansas high schools will be honored Monday, Oct. 6, by the University of Kansas Alumni Association and KU Endowment.

A total of 59 seniors from high schools in Cherokee and Labette counties will be recognized for their academic achievements and named Kansas Honor Scholars at a 6:30 p.m. dinner program at Labette County High School, 601 S. High School St., Altamont.

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.

During the ceremony, each student will receive an American Heritage Dictionary in hardback and CD versions, presented by KU Alumni Association representative Danny Lewis, assistant director of alumni programs.

Kevin Corbett, president of the KU Alumni Association, 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 at a cost of $10 each.

Community volunteers collect reservations, coordinate details and serve as local contacts for the event. Site coordinators are Joanna and Dennis Wilson of Parsons. County coordinators are Wandalee and Neale Shaw of Parsons.

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.

Baxter Springs High School: Taylor Bingham, Joseph Kellum, Alexandra Kraft, Anthony Nelson, Jessica Summers and Amber Weaver

Chetopa High School: Breanna Vestering and Jerry Wilson

Columbus Unified High School: Andrew Ballantyne, Lauren Chesner, Samantha Cox, Bailie Hatfield, Brian Martin, Malarie Mosler, Charles Napier, Bobbi Shanksand and Nicholas Thomas

Galena High School: Tesa Blair, Kjersti McDonald, Olivia Murray, Brianna New, Valerie Taylor and Kaylah Williamson

Labette County High School: Caleb Albers, Jacob Baker, Quinton Bogner, Alahna Broadway, Jordan Cosby, Colton Davis, Rodney Fleming, Jonathan Finley, Jacqueline Fulkerson, Stephanie Hope, Ashley Leader, Kayla Peoples, Danielle Roberts, Kyla Smith and Kylie Snider

Oswego High School: Josiah Edings, Bradley Feaganand and Deja Trotnic

Parsons High School: Brenna Burzinksi, Emily Clem, Melanie Dunnic, Alexander Haynes, Ethan LaForge, Kelsey Martin, Keenan Martin, Katie Martino, Milan Piva, Tomacena Porter, Raven White and Cody Williamson

Riverton High School: Brian Beyer, Sara Daniel, Keeley Hail, Tosha Jones, Nathan Spriggs and Rachel Wilson

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