KU News Release

KU to honor 42 high school seniors from Allen, Bourbon, Woodson counties Feb. 9

LAWRENCE — Students from six Kansas high schools will be honored Monday, Feb. 9, by the University of Kansas Alumni Association and KU Endowment.

A total of 33 seniors from high schools in Cloud, Jewell, Mitchell and Republic counties will be recognized for their academic achievements and named Kansas Honor Scholars at a 6:30 p.m. dinner program at Iola High School, 300 E. Jackson St., Iola.

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.

William J. Crowe, special assistant to the dean of libraries, 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 $15 each.

Community volunteers collect reservations, coordinate details and serve as local contacts for the event. Jim and Karen Gilpin are site coordinators. County coordinators are Gary and Sally Cullor of Fort Scott and Susy Hammons of Pittsburg for Bourbon County; and Sharon Suske of Yates Center for Woodson County.

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

Fort Scott High School: Rachel Allen, Brittany Bingesser, Sterling Braun, Shelby Brennon, Jamie Collins, Erica Davis, Brian Gorman, Kaylie Harper, Kimberly Henry, Alanna Masterson, Amanda McDaniel, Whitney Nickelson, Kristina Parsons, Kori Page Rienbolt and Benjamin Sinn

Humboldt High School: Todd Hauser, Shelley Herder, Bailey Myers, Kelci Owens and David Setter

Iola High School: Morgan Buchholz, Kyle Carswell, Morgan Dieker, Jacob Heffern, Kelsey Knisley, Michelle Kretzmeier, Kyle McRae, Drew Mueller, Preeya Patel, Lauren Porter and Joel Tidd

Marmaton Valley High School: Kaylan Colgin, Robert McEwan and Jessica Roach

Uniontown High School: Travis Aikins and Jacqueline Ellis

Yates Center High School: Michael Bettega, Taylor Heffern, Jordan Hughes, Jacob Pennuto and Brent Matile

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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.