KU News Release

LAWRENCE — Students from eight Kansas high schools will be honored Monday, Oct. 4, by the University of Kansas Alumni Association and KU Endowment.

A total of 54 seniors from high schools in Cherokee and Labette counties will be recognized for their academic achievements and named Kansas Honor Scholars at a 6:30 p.m. dinner and program at Parsons High School, 3030 Morton Ave.

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.

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 $15 each.

Community volunteers collect reservations, coordinate details and serve as local contacts for the event. Joanna and Dennis Wilson of Parsons are the site coordinators and county coordinators. Wandalee and Neale Shaw of Parsons also will assist at the program.

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

Baxter Springs High School: Skyleigh Bingham, Sophia Evans, Aubrey Hefley, Cadence Miller, Andrew Powell, Morgan Skye and Alayna VonMoss

Chetopa High School: Ryan Bruning and Lindsey Pease

Columbus Unified High School: Nicole Gilmore, Sean Gilmore, Aubrey Johnson, Kayla Justice, Jin Lee, Jacob Mogle, Nicole Robison and Joseph Tillman

Galena High School: Mackenzie Buckner, Amanda Dvorak, Amanda Olmos, Shelby Ray and Chloe Spears

Labette County High School: Braden Anderson, Arin Billingsly, Ashton Dwyer, Kelsey Eckelberry, Brendan Finley, Johnathan Goodyear, Joshua Hilderbrand, Caleb Journot, Blaine Lotz, Trevor Nash, Caleb Reynolds,Micayla Scott, Stormy Smith and Morgan Workman

Oswego High School: Corrie Hays, Kali Kitterman and Ryan Schenker

Parsons High School: Noelle Amor, Dalton Hoose, Alex Jack, Wenday Lynch, Lindsay Ong, Haleigh Perez, Taylor Piva, Chelsea Schreiber and Channing Solon

Riverton High School: Samantha Gaines, Derek Maghe, Paige Mishler, Erin Pearson, Robert Sell and Damon Simmons