KU News Release

LAWRENCE — Students from 10 Kansas high schools will be honored Monday, Oct. 25, by the University of Kansas Alumni Association and KU Endowment.

A total of 62 seniors from high schools in Chase, Coffey, Lyon and Morris counties will be recognized for their academic achievements and named Kansas Honor Scholars at a 6:30 p.m. dinner and program at Emporia State University’s Student Union Ballroom, 1200 Commercial St.

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

Rick Ginsberg, dean of the School of Education, 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. Gary Ace, of Emporia, is the site coordinator and Lyon County coordinator. Brian Filinger, of Emporia, is the Chase County coordinator. Polly Epting, of Burlington, and Nikki Barrett, of Waverly, are Coffey County coordinators. Jody Sellers, of Council Grove, is the Morris County coordinator.

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

Burlington High School: Jordan Gutsch, Hannah Hatch, Patrick Mahoney, Lexi Peterson, Paulo Pinto, Michael Vander Linden

Chase County High School: Jordan Hatcher, Coleman Jackson, Jaimie Lang, Brenna Riley

Council Grove High School: Brock Frye, Sarah Hornung, Bracey Lerner, Mallory Watts, Derek Ziegenhirt

Emporia High School: Kelly Bacon, Karen Calderon, Kendra Clark, Sarah Coulson, Andrea Davis, Ashley Glover, Bryanna Goza, Brooke Gutierrez, Cierra Hastings, Jessica Hilbish, Nicholas Hrabik, Sarah Kolmer, Holly Kraft, Abby Larson, Cody Lindquist, Lauren Longbine, Megan McRell, Kaitlyn Miller, Jessica Mock, Paul Naab, Alexander Neises, Karina Palencia Ramirez, Tommy Robinson, Lesbia Rojas, Jordan Selby, Christopher Simmons, Bailey Sosa, Brisa Waechter, Blaze Witten

Hartford High School: Christopher Schwinghamer, Michael Wilson

Lebo High School: Conor Bray, Kylie Schlesener

Northern Heights High School: David Bronson, Elizabeth Karr, Jennifer Karr, Alexander Larson, Katelyn Zornes

Olpe High School: Jill Cole, JoAnna Dieker, Katelyn Henderson, Natalie Kuhlmann, Logan Sleezer

Southern Coffey County High School: Colin Kraft, Kristin Stephens

Waverly High School: Ethan Rice, Travis Sipe