KU News Release

LAWRENCE — Students from seven Kansas high schools will be honored Wednesday, Oct. 13, by the University of Kansas Alumni Association and KU Endowment.

A total of 46 seniors from high schools in Chautauqua and Cowley counties will be recognized for their academic achievements and named Kansas Honor Scholars at a 6:30 p.m. dinner and program at the Cowley County Community College, Brown Center, 125 S. Second St., Arkansas 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 Marcus Hicks, coordinator of alumni programs for the KU Alumni Association.

Mike Neal, assistant 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. Lucy Herlocker Freeman of Winfield is the Cowley County coordinator. Tim Hills of Sedan is the Chautauqua County coordinator.

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

Arkansas City High School: Brent Burroughs, Nicholas Crain, William Duren, James Estep, Nicole Fiorentino, Trevor Harris, Cody Hollister, Hannah Holloway, Brittany Jacobs, Zachary McDowell, Talia McNickle, Jennifer Mendez, Stephanie Palmer, John Seitz, Jacob Silliman, Lacey Tipton, Samantha Turner, Mariah Vargas and Brandon Young

Cedar Vale High School: Cathleen Call, Justin Davis and Logan Snyder

Central High School: Sarah Fischer, Lindsay Handlin and Ty Taylor

Dexter High School: Jolie Butler and Abby Crow

Sedan High School: Nicholas Wigton and Kyle Williams

Udall High School: Joshua Franklin and McKenzie Loveall

Winfield High School: Matthew Dennett, Jeremy Groene, Kaylee Head, Nathan James, Kairee Johnson, Alexandria McChesney, Whitney McCully, Anna McGregor, Brandon Nungesser, Sarah Potter, Jake Simmons, Kelsey Smith, Braden Stevenson, Sean Tapia and Kaitlyn Wall