KU News Release

LAWRENCE — Students from five Kansas high schools will be honored Tuesday, Oct. 12, by the University of Kansas Alumni Association and KU Endowment.

A total of 56 seniors from high schools in Finney, Hamilton and Kearny counties will be recognized for their academic achievements and named Kansas Honor Scholars at a 6:30 p.m. dinner and program at the Golf Club at Southwind, 77 Grandview Drive, Garden City.

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. Kathy Larkin of Garden City is the site coordinator. Debbie Campbell and Dana Nanninga, both from Garden City, are county coordinators.

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

Deerfield High School: Delia Hernandez and Kaitlin Morgan

Garden City High School: Roberta Aguilar, Laisa Alcantar, Theresa Amante, Cody Bernbeck, Kimberly Bogner, Ashley Booker,Thuy Cao, Asher Chester, Brooke Dechant, Kelli Ford, Karen Franco, Eddy Gomez, Paula Gonzales, Alison Guerrero, Russell Harp, Chelsea Koksal, Melissa Lopez, Julie Mai, Hector Martinez, Amelia McVey, Karla Murguia, Kathy Nguyen, Kimdona Nguyen, Quan-Ha Nguyen, Sara Nguyen, Bethanee Ochs, Amanda Perkins, Mark Petersen, Sadie Pile, Cecilia Ramsey, Vicky Reyes, Joanna Rodriguez, Ashlyn Sanders, Angie Schieber, Jorge Soriano, Kodi Steele, Ryan Strasser, Taylor Sullivan, Carley Trentman and Emily Walter

Holcomb High School: Nolan Gaede, Mallory Komlofske, Samantha Larrick, Lauren Lohfink, Zoe Roth and Zoe Sheldon

Lakin High School: Allie Jones, Jessica Morgan, Jayce Stabel and Wendy Waechter

Syracuse High School: James Burkett, Blake McAllister, Kelsey Moser and Kayla Norton