KU News Release

LAWRENCE — Students from 12 Kansas high schools will be honored Wednesday, Sept. 30, by the University of Kansas Alumni Association and KU Endowment.

A total of 118 seniors from high schools in Harvey and Reno counties will be recognized for their academic achievements and named Kansas Honor Scholars at a 6:30 p.m. dinner program at the Grand Prairie Hotel and Convention Center, 1400 N. Lorraine St. in Hutchinson.

The Kansas Honors Program began in 1971 and has honored more than 107,000 students. Scholars rank in the top 10 percent of their high school senior classes and are selected regardless of occupational plans or higher-education goals. Honorees are listed below.

During the ceremony, each student will receive an American Heritage Dictionary, in both hardback and electronic versions, presented by Michelle Miles, assistant director of Kansas programs for the alumni association.

Barbara Ballard, associate director for outreach at KU’s Dole Institute of Politics, 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. Jeff and Marla Eriksen of Hutchinson will be site coordinators for Reno County. Sue Ice of Newton will be the Harvey County coordinator.

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