Students from six Kansas high schools will be honored Thursday, Feb. 10, by the University of Kansas Alumni Association and KU Endowment.
A total of 19 seniors from high schools in Edwards, Pawnee and Stafford counties will be recognized for their academic achievements and named Kansas Honor Scholars at a 6:30 p.m. dinner and program at the Knights of Columbus hall, Scenic Drive, Larned.
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 Danny Lewis, assistant director of alumni programs for the KU Alumni Association.
Don Steeples, the McGee Distinguished Professor of Applied Geophysics, 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. John and Nancy Adams, of Larned, are the site coordinators. Mark Frame, of Kinsley, is the Edwards County coordinator. Barbara Hammond, of Larned, is the Pawnee County coordinator. Gayle Cornwell, of St. John, is the Stafford County coordinator.
The Kansas Honors Program is made possible by KU Endowment and proceeds from the Jayhawk license plate program.
Students to be honored include: Riane Carey, Mayela Meza and ReAnna Proffitt, Kinsley High School; Berre Bert, Kjersti Olsen, Shanna Prescott, Karlee Rainbolt, Raven Roth and Justin Van Vleet, Larned High School; Jena Clowers, Tyler Gleason, Courtney Schultz and Megan Wood, Macksville High School; Jackie Dvorak and Katie Karst, Pawnee Heights High School; Kevin Norton and Daniele Wendland, St. John High School; Mckenzie Gee and Tanner Newell, Stafford High School.