Salina Post
Several local high school seniors were selected by Kansas Governor, Laura Kelly to attend the 43rd Annual Governor’s Scholars Awards Program
According to Kansas State High Schools Activities Association (KSHSAA), 527 high school students were selected to attend this event on May 3 in Topeka at Washburn University's Lee Arena (1901 SW Mulvane St).
The recognition ceremony honors the top academic 1% of Kansas high school seniors.
Students are selected from accredited public and private schools in the state based on their academic achievements over the course of their high school years.
The list of seniors included locals such as:
- Salina South High School: Kristen Kinion, Julie Lai, Isabelah McGinty
- Salina Central High School: Wyatt Angell, Ellie Riekhof
- Sacred Heart Jr/Sr High School, Salina: Isaac Berndt
- Southeast of Saline High School, Gypsum: Charlotte Knopf
- Ell-Saline High School, Brookville: Sara Lutes
- Solomon High School: Lance Carver
- Abilene High School: Landen Barten, Liam Price
- Bennington High School: Luke Ingram
- Chapman High School: Amelia Strauss
- Smoky Valley High School, Lindsborg: Parker Gardner
Click here to view the full list of seniors who will be honored at the ceremony.
This program is hosted by Washburn University and coordinated for the Governor by the Confidence in Kansas Public Education Task Force. Sunday’s event prelude music and National Anthem will be performed by student musicians from Lawrence Free State High School. Free State was honored as the 2025-26 KSHSAA Performing Arts School of Excellence Award winner. The event will also feature remarks from 2026 Kansas Teacher of the Year Rachel Marlow from the Olathe School District.