KU News Release

KU to honor 28 high school seniors from Marshall, Washington counties Feb. 18

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

A total of 28 seniors from high schools in Marshall and Washington counties will be recognized for their academic achievements and named Kansas Honor Scholars at a 6:30 p.m. dinner program at the St. Monica-St. Elizabeth Hall, 1007 East Ave., in Blue Rapids.

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 Michelle Miles, assistant director of Kansas programs for the KU Alumni Association.

Adam McGonigle, KU student body president, will speak to the students and their parents and guests. McGonigle is a junior from Wichita.

Honored students will be guests of the alumni association and KU Endowment; parents and area alumni are welcome to attend at a cost of $9 each.

Community volunteers collect reservations, coordinate details and serve as local contacts for the event. Kenneth and Zita Duensing of Blue Rapids are site coordinators. County coordinators are Larry and Nancy Stoppel of Washington for Washington County.

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

Axtell High School: Jessica Peschel and Jason Ronnebaum

Clifton-Clyde High School: Allie Bloomfield, Benjamin Detrixhe and Barrett Winter

Frankfort High School: Michelle Gerstner, Emily Huninghake, Sarah Jones and Sheila Polson

Hanover High School: John Bruna, LeaAnne Diederich and Abby Schlabach

Linn High School: Cody Richter and Miranda Wilgers

Marysville High School: Nicole Brown, Whitney Holle, Garrett Lister, Shannon Mangnall, Bailey McMillan, Angela Sutton and Samantha Weeks

Valley Heights High School: Samantha Andersen, Rebecca Christie, Darrin Jacobson and Shelby McNary

Washington County High School: Cortni Decker, Kayla Penning and Caitlin Sherlock

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