By the Kansas State Department of Education
TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) announced this week that 92 Kansas high school seniors have earned the recognition as 2024 Kansas Career and Technical Education (CTE) Scholars.
The announcement was made during the Kansas State Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, April 9.
The Kansas CTE Scholar program is an opportunity to recognize well-rounded, outstanding CTE students who are finishing their senior year of high school. The first Kansas CTE Scholars were named in 2017.
To be named a CTE Scholar, a student must be a high school senior and meet the following criteria:
- Have completed (or upon successful completion of current course enrollment) a minimum of three CTE credits with at least two of the three credits above introductory level. Earned credits must be in one pathway.
- Have a CTE grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or better in CTE coursework.
- Be involved in civic engagement leadership, which refers to a student selecting an issue of concern and providing leadership through project-based actions to improve the community, state or nation; or have a minimum of 100 hours of volunteer experience. A letter of validation is required for civic engagement leadership, and documentation of 100 hours with an adult signature is required for community service.
- Have a career vision summary statement that is a short reflection of a candidate’s personal career vision and future plans. A maximum of 175 words is allowed.
Technical Skill Attainment
A minimum of one of the following technical skill attainment options must be earned and verified:
- Earned an end of pathway (aligned with pathway selected) assessment/certification for completer status (industry- recognized certification or a passing score on a third-party, end-of- pathway assessment) recorded on the K-PAC (Kansas Pathway Assessments, Credentials or Certifications) columns eight (8) and nine (9).
- Earned an Excel in CTE Qualifying Recognized Credential aligned to the Pathway selected.
- Earned nine (9) + college hours leading to completion of a certificate, or post-secondary program aligned to the Pathway’s Program of Study that was selected.
- Completed a high-quality work-based learning career preparation experience, Kansas Work-Based Learning Continuum, in the Pathway selected defined in Kansas Work-Based Learning: Personalized Learning Plan Guidance Document (ksde.org).
- CTE scholars receive a commemorative pin, special certificate, graduation honor cord and statewide recognition.
The 2024 Kansas CTE Scholars are the following:
Royal Valley USD 337
Joie Boyer, Comprehensive Agriculture Science
Mariah Zavala, Comprehensive Agriculture Science
Tyson Parks, Comprehensive Agriculture Science
Eudora USD 491
Norah Oehlert, Health Science
Oakley USD 274
Daysha Allison, Business Management and Entrepreneurship
Heather Sammons, Business Management and Entrepreneurship
Ivan Jirak, Business Management and Entrepreneurship
Karli Krier, Business Management and Entrepreneurship
Quinter USD 293
Ethan Gruenbacher, Web and Digital Communications
Garden City USD 457
Chase McGraw, Business Finance
DeeAnn Smith, Early Childhood Development and Services
Scott County USD 466
Kadence Allen, Digital Media
Valeria Catano, Digital Media
Liberal USD 480
Abimael Sanchez, Biochemistry
Alyana Holler, Digital Media
J. Brooks Kappelmann, Business Management and Entrepreneurship
Kortni Kapp, Digital Media
Rahab Earnest, Business Finance
Haven USD 312
Raegan Case, Health Science
Buhler USD 313
Amos Harder, Comprehensive Agriculture Science
Brynlee Frank, Comprehensive Agriculture Science
Emmie Stallman, Comprehensive Agriculture Science
Hunter Metzger, Comprehensive Agriculture Science
Kaden Lohrentz, Comprehensive Agriculture Science
Krysten Hamby, Comprehensive Agriculture Science
Madison Shain, Comprehensive Agriculture Science
Makenna Siemens, Comprehensive Agriculture Science
Megan Krueger, Comprehensive Agriculture Science
Mikayla Milburn, Comprehensive Agriculture Science
Peyton Coldren, Comprehensive Agriculture Science
Ellsworth USD 327
Rebekah Vague, Comprehensive Agriculture Science
Abilene USD 435
Jentree McGivney, Health Science
Skyline USD 438
Cody Scherer, Comprehensive Agriculture Science
Megan Matulka, Network Systems
Neodesha USD 461
Daschel Drawdy, Manufacturing
Kenneth Kelly, Web and Digital Communications
Mason Springer, Comprehensive Agriculture Science
Goddard USD 265
Brent Henry, Business Finance
Kenzli Jayne Turner, Business Finance
Madison Loomis, Teaching/Training
Wellington USD 353
Katelyn Haines, Animal Science
Madison Baker, Animal Science
Tatum Rountree, Comprehensive Agriculture Science
Belle Plaine USD 357
Gabriella Lujan, Graphic Design
Piper USD 203
Riley Eidson, Teaching/Training
Basehor-Linwood USD 458
Prisha Patel, Health Science
Mission Valley USD 330
Clara Johnston, Comprehensive Agriculture Science
Auburn-Washburn USD 437
Tej Patel, Programming and Software Development
Manhattan USD 383
Amanda Payne, Early Childhood Development and Services
Anna Wollenberg, Fashion, Apparel, and Interior Design (FAID)
Arianna Snell, Family, Community and Consumer Services
Jaira Faustman, Family, Community and Consumer Services
Kael Schwabauer, Construction and Design
Macey Pecenka, Restaurant and Event Management
Sufian Khmous, Business Management and Entrepreneurship
Taelor Goff, Restaurant and Event Management
Geary County USD 475
Ava Mae Oentrich, Comprehensive Agriculture Science
Leon Leadabrand, Health Science
Olathe USD 233
Addison Smith, Digital Media
Adriana J Cazares, Teaching/Training
Alexandria Decker, Teaching/Training
Anna Persaud, Teaching/Training
Audrey Bryant, Teaching/Training
Avalyn Gehlen, Teaching/Training
Belinda Chen, Health Science
Chloe Tyrrell, Health Science
Elizabeth Taylor, Digital Media
Ellen Steer, Health Science
Kellan Quinn, Construction and Design
Laci Lister, Digital Media
Lizbeth Crisanto Garcia, Health Science
Malorie McRostie, Teaching/Training
Mikayla Ezala, Health Science
Reese Pritchard, Teaching/Training
Scarlett Shade, Health Science
Zeina Adnan, Teaching/Training
Gardner Edgerton USD 231
Aubree Morgan, Information Support and Services
De Soto USD 232
Brett Joseph Tickle, Engineering and Applied Mathematics
Ottawa USD 290
Allie Dillon, Corrections, Security, Law and Law Enforcement Services
Ashlyn Powell, Early Childhood Development and Services
Laura Wingert, Early Childhood Development and Services
Marissa Dandreo, Business Finance
Maylee Mace, Health Science
Sara Orr, Health Science
Newton USD 373
Abigail Koontz, Health Science
Anahi Sanchez, Business Finance
Jadyn Eckert, Manufacturing
Natalie Jones, Business Management and Entrepreneurship
Natalie Sanchez, Business Finance
Nesbeth Ramirez-Bencomo, Health Science
Reid Golubski, Engineering and Applied Mathematics
Virgil Guo, Health Science