02/09/17
NOTE: Print quality photos can be downloaded from the Topeka SRP link on the page at http://bigcat.fhsu.edu/currentevents/srp_photos.php

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

The Topeka SRP primarily serves students from Brown, Coffey, Geary, Jackson, Jefferson, Lyon, Marshall, Morris, Nemaha, Osage, Pottawatomie, Riley, Shawnee and Wabaunsee counties. Students from outside the 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 -- a $400 FHSU Student Recognition Program Scholarship, two $600 FHSU University Bookstore scholarships, and another for an iPad.

The Topeka program also features drawings for two $200 FHSU Tiger Scholar Awards from the Capital Region FHSU Alumni Association chapter.

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

Hayden Catholic High School
Alexandra Malfait, Topeka (66610), a 2017 Hayden Catholic High School graduate, was awarded a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in business. Malfait, daughter of William and Donna Malfait, Topeka, plans to major in marketing.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Dosse Toulaboe, chair of the Department of Economics, Finance and Accounting.

Jefferson County North High School
Joel Abel, Nortonville (66060), a 2017 Jefferson County North High School graduate, was awarded a $1,000 Traditions Scholar Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in agriculture. Abel, son of Joanie Abel, Nortonville, plans to major in agriculture.

He is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Don Benjamin, interim chair of the Department of Agriculture.

Jefferson West High School
Brooke Dillenbeck, Ozawkie (66070), a 2017 Jefferson West High School graduate, was awarded a $1,500 Hays City Scholar Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in education. Dillenbeck, daughter of Karl and Gail Dillenbeck, Ozawkie, plans to major in elementary education.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Valerie Zelenka, assistant professor of teacher education.

Randi Patterson, Meriden (66512), a 2017 Jefferson West High School graduate, was awarded a $1,000 Traditions Scholar Award and a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in teacher education, and she won a drawing for one of two $200 Capital Region FHSU Tiger Scholar Awards. Patterson, daughter of Terri Patterson, Meriden, plans to major in elementary education.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Valerie Zelenka, assistant professor of teacher education.

Madison High School
Rachael Bolinger, Emporia (66801), a 2017 Madison High School graduate, was awarded a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in allied health. Bolinger, daughter of Gregory and Sabina Bolinger, Emporia, plans to major in radiologic technology.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Jennifer Wagner, associate professor of allied health.

Manhattan High School
Nyza Milligan, Manhattan (66502), a 2017 Manhattan High School graduate, was awarded a $1,500 Hays City Scholar Award and a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in allied health, and she won the drawing for a $400 FHSU Student Recognition Program Scholarship. Milligan, daughter of Rehama Milligan and Shaniece Baylor-Milligan, Manhattan, plans to major in medical diagnostic imaging.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Jennifer Wagner, associate professor of allied health.

Ryan Terril, Manhattan (66502), a 2017 Manhattan High School graduate, was awarded a $2,000 University Scholar Award and a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in the Department of Computer Science, and he won a drawing for one of two $600 FHSU University Bookstore scholarships. Terril, son of Scott and Vicki Terril, Manhattan, plans to major in computer science.

He is pictured with interim FHSU President, Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Greg Farley, dean of the College of Science, Technology and Mathematics.

Mission Valley High School
Lauren Stover, Harveyville (66431), a 2017 Mission Valley High School graduate, was awarded a $1,000 Traditions Scholar Award and a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in teacher education, and she won a drawing for one of two $200 Capital Region FHSU Tiger Scholar Awards. Stover, daughter of David and Lynda Stover, Harveyville, plans to major in elementary education.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Valerie Zelenka, assistant professor of teacher education.

Rock Creek High School
Shae Biedenbender, Westmoreland (66549), a 2017 Rock Creek High School graduate, was awarded a $1,000 Traditions Scholar Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in art and design. Biedenbender, daughter of Dani and Meloni Biedenbender, Westmoreland, plans to major in art.

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

Royal Valley High School
Lucas Broxterman, Hoyt (66440), a 2017 Royal Valley High School graduate, was awarded a $1,000 Traditions Scholar Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in agriculture. Broxterman, son of Steve and Cindy Broxterman, Hoyt, plans to major in agriculture.

He is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Don Benjamin, interim chair of the Department of Agriculture.

Noah McAlister, Hoyt (66440), a 2017 Royal Valley High School graduate, was awarded a $1,500 Hays City Scholar Award and a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in political science. McAlister, son of Nathan and Kim McAlister, Hoyt, plans to major in political science.

He is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Bryan Bennett, assistant professor of political science.

Seaman High School
Reese Emert, Topeka (66617), a 2017 Seaman High School graduate, was awarded a $1,500 Hays City Scholar Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in business, and he won the drawing for one of two $600 FHSU University Bookstore scholarships. Emert, son of Jeff and Tammy Emert, Topeka, plans to major in business.

He is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Dosse Toulaboe, chair of the Department of Economics, Finance and Accounting.

Hannah Weaver, Topeka (66617), a 2017 Seaman High School graduate, was awarded a $1,000 Traditions Scholar Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in art and design. Weaver, daughter of Randy and Deanna Weaver, Topeka, plans to major in art.

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

Shawnee Heights High School
Jamara Banks, Topeka (66607), a 2017 Shawnee Heights High School graduate, was awarded a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in psychology. Banks, daughter of Mary Bicknell, Topeka, plans to major in psychology.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Darin Challacombe, instructor of psychology.

Abigail Duensing, Tecumseh (66542), a 2017 Shawnee Heights High School graduate, was awarded a $1,500 Hays City Scholar Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in physics. Duensing, daughter of Ed and Amy Duensing, Tecumseh, plans to major in physics.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Gavin Buffington, chair of the Department of Physics.

Aislin Jackson, Tecumseh (66542), a 2017 Shawnee Heights High School graduate, was awarded a $2,000 University Scholar Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in physics. Jackson, son of Lisa Ignoto, Tecumseh, plans to major in physics.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Gavin Buffington, chair of the Department of Physics.

Megan Rose, Topeka (66605), a 2017 Shawnee Heights High School graduate, was awarded a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in art. Rose, daughter of Michael and Neva Rose, Topeka, plans to major in interior design.

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

Topeka High School
Connor Champney, Topeka (66611), a 2017 Topeka High School graduate, was awarded a $1,500 Hays City Scholar Award and a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in biology. Champney, son of Chad and Angela Champney, Topeka, plans to major in wildlife biology.

He is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Yass Kobayashi, associate professor of biological sciences.

Deja McFadden, Topeka (66619), a 2017 Topeka High School graduate, was awarded a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in social work. McFadden, daughter of Michael McFadden, Topeka, plans to major in social work.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Rhonda Weimer, instructor of social work.

Tanner Ramirez, Topeka (66604), a 2017 Topeka High School graduate, was awarded a $1,500 Hays City Scholar Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in health and human performance. Ramirez, son of Marcus and Tiffany Ramirez, Topeka, plans to major in health and human performance.

He is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Glen McNeil, associate professor of health and human performance.

Washburn Rural High School
Autumn Carter, Topeka (66610), a 2017 Washburn Rural High School graduate, was awarded a $1,500 Hays City Scholar Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in art and design. Carter, daughter of Lisa Davis, Topeka, plans to major in art.

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

Anthony Giddens, Topeka (66610), a 2017 Washburn Rural High School graduate, was awarded a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in teacher education. Giddens, son of Steve and Karen Giddens, Topeka, plans to major in teacher education.

He is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Valerie Zelenka, assistant professor of teacher education.

Alessandra Harrell, Topeka (66616), a 2017 Washburn Rural High School graduate, was awarded a $1,500 Hays City Scholar Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in art and design. Harrell, daughter of Emily Thomas, Topeka, plans to major in art.

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

Alex Rea, Topeka (66610), a 2017 Washburn Rural High School graduate, was awarded an FHSU National Merit Scholarship: full tuition and residence hall and an $800 book scholarship. Rea, son Brad and Angie Rea, Topeka, plans to major in political science.

He is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Dr. Bryan Bennett, assistant professor of political science.

Amelia Teter, Topeka (66604), a 2017 Washburn Rural High School graduate, was awarded a $1,500 Hays City Scholar Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in social work. Teter, daughter of Cris and Kellie Teter, Topeka, plans to major in social work.

She is pictured with interim FHSU President Andy Tompkins, left, and Rhonda Weimer, instructor of social work.