The top 10% of the Junction City High School Senior class honored at the KU Honors Banquet held at Chapman High School on Wednesday, November 4 are pictured ascending the staircase.

L-R, Samantha Rodriguez, Jennifer Knight; Christopher Hogue, Hannah Hanson; Sierra Mortimer, Kelly Ann DelaCruz, Maurice Powell, Jr.; Gunner Palmgren, Isabella Omann, Henry Escobar; Eliezer Soto, Jr., Madison Roether, Shannie Refumanta; Paige Dacus, Keaton Petite; Ricardo Erans, Natalie Wells, Heather Gambrell, Bobby Khoury; Nick Arneson, Robert Day, Nenah Hewins, Kaiser Kim; Trey Reynolds, Kaylee Stutz, Deshon Brooks, Trae McDaniels and Ryan Boland. Standing on the side of the stairs, L-R, are Ciara Brown, Reagan Wood and Kate Westerhaus. Unable to attend were Andrew Beamer, Maximillian Jenkins, Joseph Kyser, Jay Patel and Kai Robert.

The Kansas Honors Program recognizes and awards high school seniors for their academic achievements. Each year KU alumni gather in more than 37 locations across the state for an awards ceremony and honorary dinner or reception. All high-school seniors who rank academically in the top 10 percent of their class are asked to attend as guests of the Association with their parents, principals, counselors and superintendents.

The Kansas Honors Program has been a KU tradition since 1971. It is designed to promote academic excellence in secondary education, to reward high school seniors for their hard work and dedication, and to support our Kansas communities.

Each Kansas Honor Scholar receives a certificate and a special edition of Webster’s New College Dictionary, and has a chance to qualify for a $4,000 scholarship to KU. Scholars are selected based on academic records through the previous semester that are provided by high school principals. Selections are made regardless of curricula (weighted or non-weighted), majors, occupational plans or higher-education goals.

( Information provided by Margie Pinaire )