Students from 12 Kansas high schools were honored Feb. 11, by the University of Kansas Alumni Association and KU Endowment.
A total of 54 seniors from high schools in Barton, Edwards, Pawnee, Rush and Stafford counties were recognized for their academic achievements and named Kansas Honor Scholars at a dinner and program at The Club at Stoneridge in Great Bend.
Since 1971, the Kansas Honors Program has recognized over 125,000 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 36 programs that reach all 105 counties across the state and include approximately 360 high schools.
During the ceremony, each student received a Webster’s New College Dictionary and a commemorative certificate.
Community volunteers collect reservations, coordinate details and serve as local contacts for the event. William King, of Great Bend, is the site coordinator. Perry and Krista Smith, of Great Bend, are the Barton and Rush County coordinators. Gayle Cornwell, of St. John, is the Stafford County coordinator. Mark Frame, of Kinsley, is the Edwards County coordinator. Barbara Hammond, of Larned, is the Pawnee County coordinator.
The Kansas Honors Program is made possible by KU Endowment and proceeds from the Jayhawk license plate program.
The Class of 2015 scholars: Central Plains High School: Julie Demel, Ruth Potter, Abby Stueder; Ellinwood High School: Rachel Doll, Shiani Hughes, Gavin Vink; Great Bend High School: Natasha Bieker, Michaela Cape, Morgan Francis, Anna Frizell, Grant Harris, Maycie Hestand, Taylor Hofeling, Adam Jacobs, Kelsie Keener, Hunter Middleton, Alex Morgan, Sarah Niederee, Stevee Nily, Michelle Rooney, Abigail Rose, Dakota Sanders, Kameko Schultz, Kiersten Sinclair, Mariah Stein, Madeline Vesta - Great Bend; Hoisington High School: Kelsey Brummer, Abbi Demel, Landon Harmon, Alyson Klug, Natalie  Sanders, Garret Schneider; Kinsley High School: Austin Brake, Ross Frame, Alexandra Herrmann - Kinsley; Larned High School: Brittany Butler, Nicole Dipman, Kwinter Hartshorn, Alexis Langdon, Marley Palmer, ShyAnn Robison; Pawnee Heights High School: Meagan Milch - Rozel; La Crosse High School: Alyssa Oborny, Sheldon Schmidt; Otis-Bison High School: Demi Bartonek, Shawna Serpan; Macksville High School: Tara Bunker, Alexandra Rachael East, Elisabeth Penner; St. John High School: Ashlyn Fisher, Britani Grabast, Anna Stryker; Stafford High School: Adriane Millershaski, Madysen Schreiber.