KU News Release

KU to honor 44 seniors from Crawford County high schools Feb. 2 in Pittsburg

LAWRENCE — Students from six Kansas high schools will be honored Monday, Feb. 2, by the University of Kansas Alumni Association and KU Endowment.

A total of 44 seniors from high schools in Crawford County will be recognized for their academic achievements and named Kansas Honor Scholars at a 6:30 p.m. dinner program at Pittsburg State University’s Overman Student Center, 1401 S. Broadway, Pittsburg.

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 Jennifer Alderdice, assistant vice president of student programs at the KU Alumni Association.

Lisa Pinamonti Kress, director of admissions at KU, 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 $12 each.

Community volunteers collect reservations, coordinate details and serve as local contacts for the event. Nancy Hoff Scott of Pittsburg is site coordinator, and Rodney and Karen Odgers of Pittsburg are county coordinators.

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

Frontenac High School: Stormy Campbell, Kaedy Hess, Erica Patton, Keyvin Roach and Jessica Ziesenis

Girard High School: Taylor Batson, Rachel Brown, Kassie Curran, Jackson Heatherly, Joni Mengarelli, Tanner Poppe, Whitney Southard and Taylor Woods

Northeast High School: Andrea Ashbacher, Keanna Bartell, Morgan Stokes and Brandi Jo Williams

Pittsburg High School: Abby Bernhardt, Aaron Burns, Margaret Cook, Trenton Gaddy, Daniella Gardullo, Kyle George, Samantha Hightower, Lara Ismert, Nina Mathew, Alisha Montague, Megan Nance, Trisha Paul, Brendan Penner, Brittany Redd, Jennifer Weston, Zachary White and Jordan Wilde

Southeast High School: Amanda Barnes, Erin Brisbin, Sarah Dainty, Tamara Knaup, Emily Wilson and Sydney Zortz

St. Mary’s Colgan High School: Randi Bridgewater, Erin Farmer, William Hudson and Sarah Verga

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