Erin Riley One of 129 Seniors from Douglas, Jefferson County High Schools Honored by KU

2011 Sep 20

Erin Riley from Lawrence Free State High School is among students from 11 Kansas high schools who will be honored Wednesday, Sept. 21, by the University of Kansas Alumni Association and KU Endowment.

A total of 129 seniors from high schools in Douglas and Jefferson Counties will be recognized for their academic achievements and named Kansas Honor Scholars at a 7 p.m. program and reception in the Kansas Union's Woodruff Auditorium.

Since 1971, the Kansas Honors Program has recognized over 114,000 scholars, who rank in the top 10 percent of their high school senior classes and are selected regardless of occupational plans or higher-education goals. Each year, the KU Alumni Association and its volunteers host 41 programs that reach all 105 counties across the state and include more than 360 high schools.

During the ceremony, each student will receive a Webster's New College Dictionary presented by Stefani Gerson, coordinator of student programs for the KU Alumni Association.

Gary Bender, hall of fame sportscaster and KU Alumni Association consultant, will speak to the students and their parents and guests.

Community volunteers collect reservations, coordinate details and serve as local contacts for the event. Teresa Dillon and Rheva Victor of Lawrence are coordinators for Douglas County. Keith Wood of Lawrence is the coordinator for Jefferson County.

The Kansas Honors Program is made possible by KU Endowment and proceeds from the Jayhawk license plate program.