The 'Hollistah Scholahs'
Noah Peck, Abilene, graduated from Chapman High School with a 3.8 GPA. In addition to his studies, Peck participated in various community activities, primarily volunteering at the Village Manor Nursing Home in Abilene. He has also traveled to Oklahoma and Kentucky, doing clean-up labor and working for the International Disaster Emergency Service. A musician, Peck plays banjo, and performs with his worship team at Abilene First Christian Church. In the fall, he attended Kansas State Polytechnic, pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
2021
Co-2023
Kieran Boeger graduated from Sacred Heart High School, Salina, with a 4.0 GPA. A well-schooled dancer for most of her life, she was also a National Honor Society Member, a George Eastman Young Leaders winner and the recipient of the President's Award for Academic Excellence three years in a row. Her local volunteering included Catholic Charities, Salina Arts & Humanities, and Salina Regional Health Center. In the fall of 2023, she attended Kansas State-Manhatten, with a major in Psychology, and a secondary major in Dance.
Co-2023
Sam Cusick, Salina Central, was inspired by a middle school band director and has given his passions over to music ever since. His high school years included time with the Salina Symphony, in the orchestra pit at Theatre Salina, as well as Salina Central's jazz combo and drumline. As Drumline Captain, he organized performances for Salina's Head Start Early Education program. Sam has also been involved musically in local events like Smoky Hill River Festival, Salina Boom Fest, and Symphony at Sunset, Abilene. In the fall, Sam attended KU as a Music Performance major.
2022
Meaghan Roths graduated Southeast of Saline High School with a 4.0 GPA. In addition to her studies, Meaghan participated in various community activities in her area, primarily as a Youth Leadership Council member for the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO). Her school affiliations included President of the Art Club, and President of Teens Reaching Ultimate Success Together (TRUST). Roths is also an actress, vocalist, and athlete. She performed with the S.E.S Concert Choir and was the lead actress in numerous plays with the high school's drama department. She attended Wichita State University in the fall, pursuing a degree in Graphic Design.
2020
Jacqui Dyson graduated from Salina Central High School with a 3.4 GPA. In addition to her studies, she was a member of Jobs for America's Graduates Program, serving as 2019-20 class president. Jacqui served as a teaching intern and team captain for SCHS cheer squad. She was also crowned 2019 Homecoming Queen. Dyson has stayed involved in her community by volunteering at the Salina Emergency Food Bank and Ashby House. An emerging poet, she was a finalist in the 2019 #SCSLAM, a high school poetry slam competition sponsored by USD 305. Dyson attended Emporia State University in the fall, pursuing a degree in Social Sciences Education.
2019
Gracie Lott, Lindsborg, graduated from Smoky Valley High School with a 4.0 GPA, and as a member of the National Honor Society. Gracie was a sports photojournalist for DalaTown Magazine in Lindsborg. Lott also has her own multimedia business, offering services in graphic design, wedding photography, and video. Gracie is a vocalist and cellist, having played with her local church worship band. She also used her skills in design to create prints and motifs for local businesses. Gracie then attended Grand Canyon University (Phoenix, AZ) pursuing a degree in Graphic Design.
2018
Chloe Guillot graduated from Salina Central High School with a 4.17 GPA as a member of the National Honor Society. As a senior, she received an award for excellence in editorial writing by the National Scholastic Press Association and the Journalism Education Association. In addition to her studies, she also participated in Salina Shares, an outreach program in her hometown. A graphic designer, Chloe then attended Seattle Pacific University, pursuing a degree in Visual Communications.
2017
Sarah Katsiyiannis graduated from Tipton Catholic High School with a 3.98 GPA, having been on the Honor Roll for four consecutive years. Outside of school, she participated in Poetry Outloud, a national poetry contest in Washington, DC, as well as taught piano in her hometown. A former editor's assistant at The Tipton Times, she then attended San Diego State University, pursuing a degree in Mass Media Arts, with an emphasis in Journalism.