05/09/14

NOTE TO NEWS EDITORS, NEWS DIRECTORS: This corrects to include three students left out of the original news release, sent May 8 (DongHee Lee, Seoul, South Korea; Bradley Leupold, Hiawatha; and Quincy Rayls, Topeka).

The 26 members of the 2014 class of the Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science will graduate at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, in Fort Hays State University's Memorial Union, Fort Hays Ballroom.

This is the Academy's fourth graduating class. Members voted to name their class the Vanguards.

"This group of students has a phenomenal road ahead of them," said Ron Keller, KAMS director. "They have a great start with what they have accomplished while in the program. Seven of the 26 students will remain here at FHSU, while nine of them will be attending other Kansas state schools, for a total of 16 students staying in state. We are very proud of them and know they will do great things."

Dr. Edward H. Hammond, FHSU president, will give the address. Also in attendance will be the academy's co-founders, Dr. Donald Norwood and Professor Jerry Magliano.

The Kansas Board of Regents sited KAMS on the FHSU campus in 2008 following an extensive selection process. The Kansas Legislature established the Academy to promote mathematics and science education, to reduce the "brain drain" in which many of the best and brightest young Kansans go out-of-state universities and never return, and to promote economic development by providing a well-educated workforce.

The Vanguards are listed by hometown with their parents and sending high schools.

Alexander (67513): Tanner Swartz, son of Edward and Louise Swartz, La Crosse High School.
Anshun, China: Junyu Zhang, son of Zhongequan Zhang and Dangling Liu.
Baldwin City (66006): Morgan Linder, daughter of Brett and Renee Linder, Baldwin High School.
Beijing, China: Tianhao Yu, son of Jinging Yu and Airong Duan.
Chapman (67431): Shelby Young, daughter of Elmer and Darbie Young, Chapman High School.
Goodland (67735): Amber Perdew, daughter of Don Perdew and Joanie Brighton, Goodland High School.
Gwangju, South Korea: MinYoung Kim.
Hiawatha (66434): Elliot Bicker, son of Micah and Cindy Bicker, Hiawatha High School.
Bradley "Brad" Leupold, son of Larry and Kim Leupold, Hiawatha High School.
Lawrence (66049): Elizabeth Lewis, daughter of Jeffry and Christine Lewis, Lawrence Free State High School.
Abigail "A.J." Ladner, daughter of John and Christine Ladner, Lawrence Free State High School.
Lyons (67554): Samuel DeVore, son of Ronald and Angela DeVore, Lyons High School.
Manhattan (66502): Mason Gates, son of Randall and Renee Gates, Manhattan High School.
Olathe (66061): Adam Stenson, son of Philip Stenson and Lisa Allen, Olathe Northwest High School.
Olsburg (66520): Codie Webster, son of Lynn and Marla Webster, Blue Valley High School.
Overland Park (66207): Eleanor "Elle" Justin, daughter of Jean Justin, Shawnee Mission South High School.
Salina (67401): Pratik Patel, son of Jitendra and Amita Patel, Salina Central High School.
Seoul, South Korea: DongHee Lee.
Topeka (66604): Arynne Smallback, daughter of William and Michelle Smallback, Topeka High School.
Topeka (66614): Abigail "Abbie" Dishman, daughter of Kevin and Julie Dishman, Washburn Rural High School.
Topeka (66618): Gabriel "Gabe" Horton, son of Michael and Christine Horton, Seaman High School.
Quincy Rayls, daughter of Jon and Judy Rayls, Seaman High School.
Topeka (66619): Alexa Melvin, daughter of Vince and Barb Melvin, Washburn Rural High School.
Wamego (66547): Nathan Nehring, son of Ronald and Kelly Nehring, Wamego High School.
Wichita (67227): BreAnna Terry, daughter of J.D. and Heather Terry, Goddard High School.
Wichita (67230): Michael Cory, son of Robert and Beverly Cory, Andover High School.