KU to honor area seniors

LAWRENCE -- Students from six Kansas high schools will be honored Monday, Feb. 7, by the University of Kansas Alumni Association and KU Endowment.

A total of 37 seniors from high schools in Allen, Bourbon and Woodson counties will be recognized for their academic achievements and named Kansas Honor Scholars at a 6:30 p.m. dinner and program at Iola High School, 300 E. Jackson 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 Heath Peterson, assistant vice president of alumni 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. Jim and Karen Gilpin, of Iola, are the site coordinators and Allen County coordinators. Gary and Sally Cullor, of Fort Scott, and Susy Hammons, of Pittsburg, are the Bourbon County coordinators. Sharon Suske, of Yates Center, is the Woodson County coordinator. Wade Park, of Iola, will volunteer at the program.

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

Fort Scott High School: Austin Bailey, Kacie Brown, Matt Carrillo, Leah Casselman, Amber Davish, Bayli Endicott, Mark Feagins, Colton Grillot, Megan McDermed, Megan Midkiff, Chase Rooks, Kaitlyn Russell, Trevor Swim and Katelyn Torres.

Humboldt High School: Jarred Barr, Taylor Fitzmaurice, Derrik McCall and Sherryl Scovill.

Iola High School: Charles Apt, Michelle Britt, Emily Clark, Kyle Heffern, Dannette Newland, Autumn Snesrud, Leah Weir and Abby Works.

Marmaton Valley High School: Melanie Henderson, Margaret Meiwes and Mercedes Trollope.

Uniontown High School: Emily Alkins, Reed Gleason, Jacob Sutterby, Garic Tinsley and Katelyn Vincent.

Yates Center High School: Jacob Morrison, Cherokee Shaffer and Paul Stockebrand.