KU News Release

LAWRENCE — Students from four Kansas high schools will be honored Wednesday, Nov. 17, by the University of Kansas Alumni Association and KU Endowment.

A total of 41 seniors from high schools in Montgomery County will be recognized for their academic achievements and named Kansas Honor Scholars at a 6:30 p.m. dinner and program at the Independence Country Club, 2824 Country Club Circle.

The Kansas Honors Program celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. Since 1971, the program has recognized 114,000 scholars, who rank in the top 10 percent of their high school senior classes and are selected regardless of occupational plans or higher-education goals. Each year, the KU Alumni Association and its volunteers host 41 programs that reach all 105 counties across the state.

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 KU Alumni Association.

David Johnston, director of marketing and Internet services for the KU Alumni Association, 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. Garen Cox, Independence, is the site coordinator. Nancy Wright, Coffeyville, is the Montgomery County coordinator.

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

Caney Valley High School: Melanie Davis, Dakota Denny, Rachel Estes, Kati Hiner, Kurt Lockwood, Caitlin Shepard, Robert Sherwood

Cherryvale High School: Kendra Beye, Jordon Cameron, Taylor Cunningham, Myranda Prather, Mary Reilly, Kathleen Russell

Field Kindley Memorial High School: Regina Andres, Jared Cooke, Hannah Coward, Katelin Crane, Morgan Elliott-Byrd, Luke Finley, Rima Gandhi, Mikinzie Hensley, Tiffany Lin, Anthony Martinez, Shanise Scott, Lucas Vacca, Emily Wright

Independence High School: Beau Allison, Gretchen Beaver, Alexander Ferm, Garrett Gilstrap, Kelsey Hignight, Judith Kyle, Daniel McDill, Hannah Mills, Dalton Mott, Lindsay Pratt, Nick Romans, Joel Simwinga, Scott Strycker, Michael Trombold, Sierra Watts