02/27/17
NOTE: Print quality photos can be downloaded from the SRP Colby link on the page at http://bigcat.fhsu.edu/currentevents/srp_photos.php.

HAYS, Kan. -- Students from northwestern Kansas, northeastern Colorado and southwestern Nebraska were recognized at a recent Student Recognition Program in Colby for the scholarships they have been awarded from Fort Hays State University for the 2017-18 academic year.

The annual Colby SRP primarily serves students from Cheyenne, Decatur, Gove, Logan, Rawlins, Sheridan, Sherman, Thomas and Wallace counties in Kansas; Cheyenne and Kit Carson counties in Colorado; and Chase, Dundy, Hayes and Hitchcock counties in Nebraska. Students from outside the primary areas are also welcome.

Scholarships awarded at the SRPs include Fort Hays State's four ACT-based scholarships: the $3,500 Presidential Award of Distinction, the $2,000 University Scholar Award, the $1,500 Hays City Scholar Award, and the $1,000 Traditions Scholar Award. Academic Opportunity Grants of $2,000 or $4,000 are also funded by Fort Hays State.

All are awarded only to incoming freshmen enrolling in college for the first time, but each is renewable provided students maintain the minimum required academic standing.

The renewable $1,500 FHSU Transfer Student Scholarship is available for transfer students, as is a $1,000 non-renewable transfer scholarship. One-time $900 or $500 Academic Opportunity Awards are given to scholars by individual academic departments.

Each SRP event also features four scholarship drawings, two for $600 FHSU University Bookstore scholarships, one for a $400 FHSU Student Recognition Program Scholarship, and another for an iPad.

The Colby SRP also includes drawings for three $400 FHSU Tiger Scholar Awards from the Northwest Kansas Tiger Alumni chapter.

Students are arranged alphabetically by high school or junior college with their parents and intended majors. Cutlines are provided for the photos.

Colby High School
Brittany Alexander, Colby (67701), a 2017 Colby High School graduate, was awarded a $2,000 University Scholar Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in business. Alexander, daughter of Krista Alexander, plans to major in business.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Stacey Smith, chair of the Department of Applied Business Studies.

Amelia Culver, Colby (67701), a 2017 Colby High School graduate, was awarded a $1,500 Hays City Scholar Award and a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in biology. Culver, daughter of Mint Culver, Colby, and Howard Culver, Colby, plans to major in biology.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Eric Gillock, professor of biological studies.

Mark Faber, Colby (67701), a 2017 Colby High School graduate, was awarded a $2,000 University Scholar Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in biology. Faber, son of Joshua and Ronda Faber, Colby, plans to major in biology.

He is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Eric Gillock, professor of biological studies.

Bailey Foss, Colby (67701), a 2017 Colby High School graduate, was awarded a $2,000 University Scholar Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in nursing. Foss, daughter of Justin and Dana Foss, Colby, plans to major in nursing.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Christine Hober, professor of nursing.

Hannah Johnston, Colby (67701), a 2017 Colby High School graduate, was awarded a $1,000 Traditions Scholar Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in psychology. Johnston, daughter of Anthony Johnston and Amanda Lange, Colby, plans to major in psychology.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Brenda Hoopingarner, chair of the Department of Allied Health.

Jordan O'malley, Colby (67701), a 2017 Colby High School graduate, was awarded a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in history. O'malley, daughter of Danace and Thurman McDonald, Colby, plans to major in history.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Tammy Lynn, assistant professor of criminal justice.

Laura Schroeder, Colby (67701), a 2017 Colby High School graduate, was awarded a $2,000 University Scholar Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in business. Schroeder, daughter of Kriss and Lisa Schroeder, Colby, plans to major in nursing.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Stacey Smith, chair of the Department of Applied Business Studies.

Callie Siruta, Colby (67701), a 2017 Colby High School graduate, was awarded a $1,000 Traditions Scholar Award. Siruta, daughter of Jason and Alicia Siruta, Colby, plans to major in biology.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Eric Gillock, professor of biological sciences.

Jordyn Slaven, Colby (67701), 2017 Colby High School graduate, was awarded a $1,000 Traditions Scholar Award and a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in allied health. Slaven, daughter of Ty and Audrey Slaven, Colby, plans to major in radiologic technology.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Brenda Hoopingarner, chair of the Department of Allied Health.

Donte Whitfield, Colby (67701), a 2017 Colby High School graduate, was awarded a $1,000 Traditions Scholar Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in health and human performance. Whitfield, son of Kristi Epp, Colby, plans to major in health and human performance.

He is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Steve Sedbrook, associate professor of health and human performance.

Alex Zimmerman, Colby (67701), a 2017 Colby High School graduate, was awarded a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in business. Zimmerman, son of Chad and Angela Zimmerman, Colby, plans to major in business.

He is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Stacey Smith, chair of the Department of Applied Business Studies.

Golden Plains High School
Morgan Ritter, Selden (67757), a 2017 Golden Plains High School graduate, was awarded a $1,500 Hays City Scholar Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in business. Ritter, daughter of Robert and Laura Ritter, Selden, plans to major in accounting.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Stacey Smith, chair of the Department of Applied Business Studies.

Gabrielle Schiltz, Selden (67757), a 2017 Golden Plains High School graduate, was awarded a $1,000 Traditions Scholar Award and a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in teacher education. Schiltz, daughter of Jeremy and Nicole Schiltz, Selden, plans to major in early childhood education.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Sue Boldra, instructor of teacher education.

Carmen Sepulveda, Rexford (67753), a 2017 Golden Plains High School graduate, won a drawing for one of two $600 FHSU University Bookstore scholarships. Sepulveda, daughter of Maria Ramirez, Rexford, plans to major in social work.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins.

Goodland High School
Ashley Anderson, Goodland (67735), a 2017 Goodland High School graduate, was awarded a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in agriculture. Anderson, daughter of Jon and Tina Anderson, Goodland, plans to major in agricultural business.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Andrew Tucker, assistant professor of agriculture.

Jacob Brown, Goodland (67735), a 2017 Goodland High School graduate, was awarded a $2,000 University Scholar Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in allied health, and he won the drawing for a $400 FHSU SRP Scholarship. Brown, son of Travis and Shelley Brown, Goodland, plans to major in allied health.

He is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Brenda Hoopingarner, chair of the Department of Allied Health.

Dusty Johnson, Goodland (67735), a 2017 Goodland High School graduate, was awarded a $1,500 Hays City Scholar Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in teacher education. Johnson, son of Doug and Shauna Johnson, Goodland, plans to major in education.

He is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Sue Boldra, instructor of teacher education.

Darian Kent, Goodland (67735), a 2017 Goodland High School graduate, was awarded a $1,000 Traditions Scholar Award. Kent, son of Spring Larue, Goodland, plans to major in biology.

He is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Eric Gillock, professor of biological sciences.

Tyka Ruhs, Goodland (67735), a 2017 Goodland High School graduate, was awarded a $1,000 Traditions Scholar Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in business. Ruhs, daughter of Michael and Chandra Ruhs, Goodland, plans to major in accounting.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Stacey Smith, chair of the Department of Applied Business Studies.

Hoxie High School
Noah Smith, Hoxie (67740), a 2017 Hoxie High School graduage, was awarded a $1,000 Traditions Scholar Award. Smith, son of Adam and Kelly Smith, Hoxie, plans to major in biology.

He is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Eric Gillock, professor of biological sciences.

Amber Erwin, Hoxie (67740), a 2017 Hoxie High School graduate, was awarded a $1,500 Hays City Scholar Award and a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in nursing. Erwin, daughter of Jim and Pam Erwin, Hoxie, plans to major in nursing.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Christine Hober, professor of nursing.

Gannon Spresser, Hoxie (67740), a 2017 Hoxie High School graduate, was awarded a $1,500 Hays City Scholar Award and a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in business, and he also won a drawing for one of two $600 FHSU University Bookstore scholarships. Spresser, son of Alan Spresser and Jessica Eland, Hoxie, plans to major in accounting.

He is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Stacey Smith, chair of the Department of Applied Business Studies.

Oakley High School
Tyler Park, Oakley (67748), a 2017 Oakley High School graduate, was awarded a $1,000 Traditions Scholar Award and a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in teacher education. Park, son of Matt and Cristy Park, Oakley, plans to major in elementary education.

He is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Sue Boldra, instructor of teacher education.

Nancy Vasquez, Oakley (67748), a 2017 Oakley High School graduate, was awarded a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in business. Vasquez, daughter of Cosme and Martha Mendoza, Oakley, plans to major in marketing.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Stacey Smith, chair of the Department of Applied Business Studies.

Quinter High School
Brooke Blackwill, Quinter (67752), a 2017 Quinter High School graduate, was awarded a $1,000 Traditions Scholar Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in health and human performance. Blackwill, daughter of Lance and Ruth Blackwill, Quinter, plans to major in health and human performance.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Steve Sedbrook, associate professor of health and human performance.

Rawlins County High School
Tyler Beckman, Atwood (67730), a 2017 Rawlins County High School graduate, was awarded a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in criminal justice. Beckman, son of Rob and Marcy Beckman, Atwood, plans to major in criminal justice.

He is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Tammy Lynn, assistant professor of criminal justice.

Dalton Enfield, Atwood (67730), a 2017 Rawlins County High School graduate, was awarded a $1,000 Traditions Scholar Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in applied technology. Enfield, son of Ronald and Elizabeth Enfield, Atwood, plans to major in applied technology.

He is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Joseph Chretien, associate professor of applied technology.

Jared Engel, Atwood (67730), a 2017 Rawlins County High School graduate, was awarded a $1,000 Traditions Scholar Award and a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in allied health. Engel, son of Jim Engel, Atwood, and Jody McCain, Colby, plans to major in radiologic technology.

He is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Brenda Hoopingarner, chair of the Department of Allied Health.

Nikki Hemel, Atwood (67730), a 2014 Rawlins County High School graduate and a Colby Community College transfer student, was awarded a $1,000 FHSU Transfer Student Scholarship. Hemel, daughter of Kegan and Danell Hemel, Atwood, plans to major in biology.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Eric Gillock, professor of biological sciences.

Sidney Hillman, Atwood (67730), a 2017 Rawlins County High School graduate, was awarded a $1,000 Traditions Scholar Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in business. Hillman, son of Annette Dunker, Atwood, plans to major in hospitality and tourism management.

He is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Stacey Smith, chair of the Department of Applied Business Studies.

Sawyer Skolout, Atwood (67730), a 2017 Rawlins County High School graduate, was awarded a $1,500 Hays City Scholar Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in applied technology. Skolout, son of John and Sherry Skolout, Atwood, plans to major in applied technology.

He is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Joseph Chretien, associate professor of applied technology.

Cole Sramek, McDonald (67745), a 2017 Rawlins County High School graduate, was awarded a $1,500 Hays City Scholar Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in business. Sramek, son of Aaron and Lacy Sramek, McDonald, plans to major in accounting.

He is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Stacey Smith, chair of the Department of Applied Business Studies.