KU News Release

LAWRENCE — Students from 15 Kansas high schools will be honored Wednesday, Sept. 29, by the University of Kansas Alumni Association and KU Endowment.

A total of 74 seniors from high schools in Marion, McPherson and Rice counties will be recognized for their academic achievements and named Kansas Honor Scholars at a 6:30 p.m. dinner and program at the Holiday Manor Center, 2211 E. Kansas, McPherson.

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 Anny Culnane, coordinator of alumni programs for the KU 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. Larry Chaney of McPherson is the site coordinator. Mary Kornhaus of McPherson is the McPherson County coordinator. Jim Christensen and Martin Tice, both from Marion, are the Marion County coordinators. Audrey Edwards of Sterling is the Rice County coordinator.

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

Canton-Galva High School: Leah Bullinger and Tad Wedel

Centre High School: Brian Burhoop and Jacob Jirak

Chase High School: Amanda White

Goessel High School: Neal Brubaker, Kendra Flaming, Hannah Franzen, Raney Schroeder and Michelle Unruh

Hillsboro High School: Rebecca Faber, Elise Heyen, Emma Heyen, Taylor Nikkel and Matthew Wiebe

Inman High School: Brooke Beckerman, Karsen Brown and Jason Friesen

Little River High School: Megan Stagner and Calee Zeller

Lyons High School: Kaitlyn McClure, Jena McNall, Anna Nusser, Alec Shanelec and Melissa Steffan

Marion High School: Patrick Hodson, Landon Leiker, Adam Molleker, Dane Purkeypile and Derek Stuchlik

McPherson High School: Katie Benson, Casyn Buchman, Paul Burghart, Rochell Cottrell, Clarissa Fenimore, Sarah Gaeddert, Grace Hageman, Drew Harger, Tucker Hein, Isaac Hopkins, Cory Horton, Tess Ingermanson, Rita Jumonville, Leigh Loving, Allison Miller, Andrea Nowak, Jacob Reese, Nikolous Rempe, Jennifer Steiner and Chieh-yu Tsao

Moundridge High School: Debra Diepenbrock, Rebekah James, Logan Orpin and Mary Schrag

Peabody-Burns High School: Heather Brooks, Jenipher Huls and Sheldon Wiebe

Quivira Heights High School: Taylor Siemsen and Katelyn Zink

Smoky Valley High School: Anders Berggren, Lori Dauer, Koltin Howard-Talbott, Baylee Kampfe, Laura Klaassen, Mattie Loder, Rachel Loder, Kristina Nielander, Ashley Pihl, Alison Sharpe and Wayd Thomas

Sterling High School: Anna Brashear, Kacee Britton, Lindsey Carter and Ryan Wilhite