KU News Release

LAWRENCE — Students from nine Kansas high schools will be honored Wednesday, Feb. 24, by the University of Kansas Alumni Association and KU Endowment.

A total of 37 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 and program at First United Methodist Church, 1401 W. Fourth St., in Holton.

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 Jake Strecker, assistant director of Kansas programs for the KU Alumni Association.

Diana Carlin, professor of communication studies, 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 Paula Taylor, Holton, will be site coordinators and county coordinators for Jackson County. Jackie Olberding, Seneca, will be the coordinator for Nemaha County.

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

B&B High School: Nicole Koch and Jason Sudbeck

Bern High School: Marcus Baumgartner, Benjamin Leuthold, Amanda Meyer and Keithen Meyer

Centralia High School: Matthew Nordhus and Rodney Steinlage

Holton High School: Zachary Bowser, Jackson DeLay, Alex Determan, Lauren Hower, Heath Robertson, Shane Stovall and Kadi Suarez

Jackson Heights High School: Amanda Katherns, Annie Patterson and Chris Schmitz

Nemaha Valley High School: Samantha Boeding, Tara Grauer, Erin Hermesch, Andrew Lohmann and Veronica Rottinghaus

Royal Valley High School: Danielle Harris, Joel Haverkamp, Jessica Horn, Tanner Huff, Sarah Kennedy, Danielle Stockman and Cody Viergever

Sabetha High School: Will Eisenbise, Tiffany Jurgensmeier, Shlby Niehues, Chelsi Stapleton and Derek Surdez

Wetmore High School: Heath Eisenbarth and Evan Reznicek