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

HAYS, Kan. -- Students from central Kansas were recognized at a recent Student Recognition Program in Great Bend for the scholarships they have been awarded from Fort Hays State University for the 2017-18 academic year.

The annual Great Bend SRP primarily serves students from Barton, Pawnee, Pratt, Rice, Russell and Stafford counties in addition to the cities of Bison and Otis. Students from outside the primary area 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.

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

Ashland High School
Iva Foster, Ashland (67831), a 2015 Ashland High School graduate and a Pratt Community College transfer student, was awarded a $1,500 Transfer Student Scholarship. Foster, daughter of Richard and Hilary Foster, Ashland, plans to major in agricultural business.

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

Central Plains High School
Kylie Holmes, Claflin (67525), a 2017 Central Plains High School graduate, was awarded a $1,000 Traditions Scholar Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in leadership studies. Holmes, daughter of Toby and Sheri Holmes, Claflin, plans to major in organizational leadership.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Brent Goertzen, professor of leadership studies.

Ellinwood High School
Lake Lyman, Ellinwood (67526), a 2017 Ellinwood High School graduate, was awarded a $1,500 Hays City Scholar Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in chemistry. Lyman, son of Jim and Darci Lyman, Ellinwood, plans to major in chemistry.

He is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Eddie Olmstead Jr., assistant professor of chemistry.

Great Bend High School
Jordan Boone, Great Bend (67530), a 2017 Great Bend High School graduate, was awarded a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in applied technology. Boone, son of Dan and Linda Boone, Great Bend, plans to major in applied technology.

He is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Kris Munsch, assistant professor of applied technology.

Sara Bullard-Nelson, Great Bend (67530), a 2017 Great Bend High School graduate, was awarded a $1,500 Hays City Scholar Award and a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in chemistry. Bullard-Nelson, daughter of David and Carissa Nelson, Great Bend, plans to major in chemistry.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Eddie Olmstead Jr., assistant professor of chemistry.

Brooklyn Burkhart, Great Bend (67530), a 2017 Great Bend High School graduate, was awarded a $1,500 Hays City Scholar Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in nursing. Burkhart, daughter of Korey and Alyson Burkhart, Great Bend, plans to major in nursing.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Jenny Manry, chair of the Department of Nursing.

Kendra Burke, Great Bend (67530), a 2015 Great Bend High School graduate and a Barton Community College transfer student, was awarded a $1,000 Transfer Student Scholarship. Burke, daughter of Julie Nemec, St. John, plans to major in social work.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left and Dr. Tim Davis, associate professor of social work.

Kira Cook, Great Bend (67530), a 2017 Great Bend High School graduate, was awarded a $3,500 Presidential Award of Distinction and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in allied health. Cook, daughter of Darrin and Marlene Cook, Great Bend, plans to major in radiologic technology.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Rebecca Karlin, instructor of allied health.

Brandon Crane, Larned (67550), a 2017 Great Bend High School graduate, was awarded a $3,500 Presidential Award of Distinction and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in computer science, and he won a drawing for one of two $600 FHSU University Bookstore scholarships. Crane, son of Shawn and Karen Crane, Larned, plans to major in computer science.

He is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Jeffery Solheim, associate professor of computer science.

Jared Divis, Great Bend (67530), a 2017 Great Bend High School graduate, was awarded a $1,000 Traditions Scholar Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in applied technology. Divis, son of Steve and Dixie Divis, Great Bend, plans to major in technology studies.

He is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Kris Munsch, assistant professor of applied technology.

Kaily Griffith, Great Bend (67530), a 2017 Great Bend High School graduate, was awarded a $2,000 University Scholar Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in nursing, and she won a drawing for one of two $600 FHSU University Bookstore scholarships. Griffith, daughter of Troy and Kim Griffith, Great Bend, plans to major in nursing.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Jenny Manry, chair of the Department of Nursing.

Allison Muth, Great Bend (67530), a 2017 Great Bend High School graduate, was awarded a $1,000 Traditions Scholar Award. Muth, daughter of Norbert and Stephanie Muth, Great Bend, plans to major in organizational leadership.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Brent Goertzen, professor of leadership studies.

Madison Otter, Great Bend (67530), a 2017 Great Bend High School graduate, was awarded a $3,500 Presidential Award of Distinction and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in art. Otter, daughter of Paul and Sharon Otter, Great Bend, plans to major in art.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Lee Powers, associate professor of art and design.

Darien Sanchez, Great Bend (67530), a 2017 Great Bend High School graduate, was awarded a $4,000 Access to Academic Opportunity Grant, a $1,500 Hays City Scholar Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in nursing. Sanchez, son of Claudio and Daria Sanchez, Great Bend, plans to major in nursing.

He is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Jenny Manry, chair of the Department of nursing.

Hoisington High School
Jonathan Ball, Great Bend (67530), a 2017 Hoisington High School graduate, was awarded a $1,000 Traditions Scholar Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in business. Ball, son of Bruce and Christina Ball, Great Bend, plans to major in finance.

He is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and James Hyatt, assistant professor of management.

Jeremy Breit, Hoisington (67544), a 2017 Hoisington High School graduate, was awarded a $1,000 Traditions Scholar Award and a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in teacher education. Breit, son of John and Merri Breit, Hoisington, plans to major in teacher education.

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

Emma Harmon, Hoisington (67544), a 2017 Hoisington High School graduate, was awarded a $1,500 Hays City Scholar Award and a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in communication sciences and disorders. Harmon, daughter of Mike and Diane Harmon, Hoisington, plans to major in communication sciences and disorders.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Carol Ellis, assistant professor of communication sciences and disorders.

Benjamin Schneider, Olmitz (67564), a 2017 Hoisington High School graduate, was awarded a $1,500 Hays City Scholar Award. Schneider, son of Robert and Kathy Schneider, Olmitz, plans to major in computer science.

He is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Jeffery Solheim, associate professor of computer science.

Lakin High School
Hannah Dehn, Deerfield (67838), a 2015 Lakin High School graduate and a Barton Community College transfer student, was awarded a $1,500 Transfer Student Scholarship. Dehn, daughter of John and Rachel Dehn, Deerfield, plans to major in psychology.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Brooke Mann, lecturer of psychology.

Larned High School
Brandon Bartz, Larned (67550), a 2017 Larned High Schol graduate, was awarded a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in applied technology. Bartz, son of Michael and Sandi Bartz, Larned, plans to major in applied technology.

He is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Kris Munsch, assistant professor of applied technology.

Lyons High School
Tristan Basham, Geneseo (67444), a 2017 Lyons High School graduate, was awarded a $1,500 Hays City Scholar Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in nursing. Basham, son of Mike and Marci Heath, Geneseo, plans to major in nursing.

He is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Jenny Manry, chair of the Department of Nursing.

Lesly Jaime, Lyons (67554), a 2017 Lyons High School graduate, was awarded a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in social work. Jaime, daughter of Oscar and Irma Jaime, Lyons, plans to major in social work.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left and Dr. Tim Davis, associate professor of social work.

Macksville High School
Deisy Carrillo, Macksville (67557), a 2017 Macksville High School graduate, was awarded a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in communication studies. Carrillo, daughter of Mario and Rosa Carrillo, Macksville, plans to major in communication.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Marcella Marez, instructor of communication studies.

Taylor Gillespie, St. John (67576), a 2017 Macksville High School graduate, was awarded a $1,000 Traditions Scholar Award and a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in nursing. Gillespie, daughter of Rusty and Jennifer Gillespie, St. John, plans to major in nursing.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Jenny Manry, chair of the Department of Nursing.

Brigdon Russell, Haviland (67059), a 2017 Macksville High School graduate, was awarded a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in agriculture. Russell, son of Ryan and Julie Russell, Haviland, plans to major in agriculture.

He is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Sunil Dhoubhadel, assistant professor of agriculture.

Otis-Bison High School
Dylan Jecha, Timken (67575), a 2017 Otis-Bison High School graduate, was awarded a $3,500 Presidential Award of Distinction and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in computer science. Jecha, son of Scott and Dreama Jecha, Bison, plans to major in computer science.

He is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Jeffery Solheim, associate professor of computer science.

Kenton Wondra, Olmitz (67564), a 2015 Otis-Bison High School graduate and a Barton Community College transfer student, was awarded a $1,500 Transfer Student Scholarship. Wondra, son of Gary and Lisa Wondra, Olmitz, plans to major in agricultural business.

He is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Sunil Dhoubhadel, assistant professor of agriculture.

Pawnee Heights High School
Micaela Polson, Rozel (67574), a 2017 Pawnee Heights High School graduate, was awarded a $2,000 University Scholar Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in allied health. Polson, daughter of Gabriel and Candi Polson, Rozel, plans to major in medical diagnostic imaging.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Rebecca Karlin, instructor of allied health.

Skyline High School
Caden Patterson, Pratt (67124), a 2017 Skyline High School graduate, was awarded a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in agriculture. Patterson, son of Rocky and Shelly Patterson, Pratt, plans to major in agricultural business.

He is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Sunil Dhoubhadel, assistant professor of agriculture.

Victoria High School
Anna Schmidtberger, Victoria (67671), a 2015 Victoria High School graduate and a Barton Community College transfer student, was awarded a $4,500 Phi Theta Kappa All-Kansas Academic Team Scholarship, and she won the drawing for a $400 FHSU Student Recognition Program Scholarship. Schmidtberger, daughter of Wayne and Marie Schmidtberger, Victoria, plans to major in agicultural business.

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