KU News Release

KU to honor 35 high school seniors from Jackson, Nemaha counties

LAWRENCE — Students from nine Kansas high schools will be honored Wednesday, Feb. 18, by the University of Kansas Alumni Association and KU Endowment.

A total of 35 seniors from high schools in Jackson and Nemaha counties will be recognized for their academic achievements and named Kansas Honor Scholars at a 6:30 p.m. dinner program at the First United Methodist Church, 1401 W. Fourth St., Holton.

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 David Ochoa, coordinator of member relations for the KU Alumni Association.

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. Matt and Paul Taylor of Holton are site coordinators. Jackie Olberding of Seneca is county coordinator for Nemaha County.

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

B & B High School: Brett Holthaus and Aaron Rottinghaus

Bern High School: Tanner Strathman and Tim Walker

Centralia High School: Natalie Greene and Ella Rethman

Holton High School: Leah Day, Kaylie Decker, Rae Jacobs, Kayla Klahr, Brittanie McKenna, Elizabeth Mears, Mollie Nelson, Margaret Schuetz and Joseph Tanking

Jackson Heights High School: Jamie Dysart, Alexandria Leach, Jossie Reis and Alisha Rostetter

Nemaha Valley High School: Ethan Hammes, Ashley Haverkamp, Katie Kramer and Julie Sperfslage

Royal Valley High School: Adam Blevins, Carrie Buehler, Patricia McCollum, Nicholas Schulte, Shawn Seematter and Erin Winter

Sabetha High School: Clinton Bruning, Jesse Grimm, Lauren Kauffman, Gessica Renyer and Zackary Suhr

Wetmore High School: Chelsie Clowe

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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.