09/08/10 jgm local, hometowns

HAYS, Kan. -- The Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science on the Fort Hays State University campus has accepted 24 new students for the 2010-2011 academic year. KAMS also has 14 returning students from last year's inaugural year.

KAMS provides a unique residential learning experience for select high school juniors and seniors. Prospective students must have completed at least two years of high school with distinction in mathematics or science. However, outstanding academic achievement is not the only criterion for acceptance. KAMS selects students based on drive, interest, maturity, stability and personal and family commitment.

These exceptional students, who represent urban, suburban and rural communities from across the state, will earn a high school diploma from their sending school and 68 hours of college credit from FHSU.

This year is the first year that KAMS has an international student join the diverse KAMS "family." SooBum "James" Kim comes from the city of Dukso-ri, Republic of Korea.

New students are listed alphabetically by hometown. The new KAMS class:

Andover: Janae Carter

Ashland: Justin Arnspiger

Atchison: Rachel Schmidt

Augusta: Kara Schnake

Eudora: Bria Carder

Hays: Jon Folkerts

Holton: Cole Mosier

hoyt: Aleta Martin

Hugoton: Alondra Meraz

Kinsley: Krysten Brake

Lansing: Alex Lee

Leawood: Manvitha Marni

Leoti: Shaley White

Parsons: Peter Betzen

Richfield: Logan Smith

Sabetha: Clint Herrmann and Elsie Suhr

Scott City: Taylor Kane

Tonganoxie: Rachel Bieniecki

Topeka: Abbey Killinger and Aleta Martin

WaKeeney: Kaylin Hawman

Wamego: Chance Kahle

Winfield: Nyasha Maforo

Dukso-ri, Korea: SooBum "James" Kim

Retuning students from the "pioneer" KAMS class:

Atchison: Kathryn Schmidt

Everest: Nicholas VanSwol

Hays: Mersadez Tanner

Kansas City: Jennifer Snyder

Lansing: Alexandria Darden

Mount Hope: Seth Gooding

Olathe: Isaac Cook

Overland Park: Bailey Spickler

Paola: Amanda Berckefeldt

St. John: Tyler Clark

Topeka: Whitney Hersh

Wellington: Alexis Greb-Bonham

Wichita: Emilie Clare and Ben Davis