College of Education recognizes outstanding new graduates
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
MANHATTAN — Kansas State University's College of Education has recognized 10 of its new graduates for excellence, potential or promise.
Earning the college's Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award for excellence in leadership and scholarship are six students; two students are receiving the Outstanding Future Teacher Award for their potential as future teachers; and two students earned the Kansas State Department of Education Teacher of Promise Award.
The award winners are all May 2019 bachelor's graduates from the college:
• Joni Sheets, elementary education, Belleville, received the College of Education Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Sheets has received nine scholarships, including the college's Tomorrow's Teachers Scholarship, Nancy Larson Foundation Scholarship, Doris D. Smith Scholarship, Kansas Masonic Lodge Scholarship and more. She is a member of the college ambassadors, Kappa Delta Pi International Education Honor Society and the Kansas National Education Association. In addition, Sheets is a Sunday school teacher, volunteer at the First United Methodist Church food stand, a Big Brothers Big Sisters of America volunteer, and a tutor. Sheets will return to Republic County USD 109 — the district she graduated from in 2015 — where she will teach and coach. Sheets is the daughter of Alan and Jeanette Sheets.
• Kaylee Gunzelman, secondary education-mathematics, Derby, received the College of Education Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Gunzelman was a member of the University Honors Program, Kappa Delta Pi International Education Honor Society, Kansas National Education Association, Society of Professional Journalists, Swing Dance Club and Wildcats Forever. She also participated in Math Circle, was a supplemental math instructor and was a mentor for Educators Rising. Her honors include being named a Robert Noyce scholar and Kansas Board of Regents scholar. A 2015 graduate of Andover Central High School, Gunzelman has accepted a teaching position with the Council Grove school district for the next school year.
• Mikala Potts, elementary education, Elmdale, received the College of Education Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Potts was a recipient of the Linda L. Fraser Education Scholarship, Kansas State Leadership Scholarship and a College of Education scholarship. She also was a member of the college's ambassador program, the university's Swingin' Spurs dance team and volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Potts accepted a position as a third grade teacher at West Elementary in Wamego for the 2019-2020 school year. She is the daughter of Shawn and Lori Potts.
• Brooks Armstrong, elementary, education, Hutchinson, received the College of Education Outstanding Future Teacher Award. Armstrong was a member of the College of Education Ambassadors and EdCats, interview chair of the Education Council and section leader with the Kansas State University Marching Band. He was the recipient of a TEACH Grant and the Kansas Teacher Service Scholarship. Armstrong is the son of Kevin and Kim Armstrong. A 2015 graduate of Hutchinson High School, he will return to the Hutchinson school district to teach mathematics and to coach track.
• Hanna Lehr, secondary education-English, Hutchinson, received the Kansas State Department of Education Teacher of Promise Award. Lehr was a member of the University Honors Program and the College of Education Honors Council. She also was vice president of the Country Dance Club and a member of Student Mobilization and Christian Challenge. In addition, she was active with the K-State Center for Child Development. The daughter of Aaron and Dymon Schreiber, Lehr is married to Trevor Lehr. She is a 2015 graduate of Hutchinson High School. She will teach English at Buhler High School next school year.
• Halle Morris, elementary education, Hutchinson, received the Kansas State Department of Education Teacher of Promise Award. Morris was a member of the Kappa Delta Pi International Education Honor Society and the Kansas National Education Association. She also was a member of the university's cheer squad. Morris received the Transfer Achievement Scholarship and the Chick-fil-A Remarkable Futures Scholarship. A 2015 graduate of Hutchinson High School, she earned an associate degree in 2017 from Hutchinson Community College. Morris is the daughter of Ted and Connie Morris. She will teach fourth grade at Graber Elementary School in Hutchinson next school year.
• Antonio Subasic, secondary education-mathematics, Kansas City, received the College of Education Outstanding Future Teacher Award. A member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society and the Kansas National Education-Student Program, Subasic was a tutor with the Boys & Girls Club in Manhattan. He also was a volunteer with Purple Paws and a volunteer student supervisor at Cool Care Club, both in Manhattan. Subasic is a 2015 graduate of Bishop Ward High School and earned an associate degree from Kansas City Kansas Community College in 2016. He is the son of Dragan Subasic and Paulina Subasic.
• Kyley Ast, Olathe, elementary education, Olathe, received the College of Education Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. A University Honors Program member, Ast was a seven-time semester honors list student. She was a member of Spanish Club and the Modern Languages Ambassadors, a squad leader with EdCats and a member of the Pi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies. She also received the Skeen Education Scholarship, Helen G. Saum Memorial Scholarship and the Foundation Scholarship. The daughter of Scott and Alisa Ast, she is a 2015 graduate of Blue Valley West High School.
• Clayton Kistner, secondary education-English, Shawnee, received the College of Education Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Kistner has been a leader with the College of Education Ambassadors, a marching and maneuvering instructor for the Kansas State University Marching Band and active in two music-related fraternities, Kappa Kappa Psi, where he was vice president of membership, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, where he served as parliamentarian. In his spare time, Kistner was a tour guide with New Student Services. He graduated from Mill Valley High School in 2015 and accepted a position as a 10th grade English teacher at Olathe Northwest High School. Kistner is the son of Angela and Tim Kistner.
• Rylie N. Thompson, elementary education, Valley Center, received the College of Education Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Thompson also was a recipient of the Achievement Award Scholarship and a member of Chi Omega sorority, Wildcat Buddies and Council for Exceptional Children. She graduated from Wichita's Bishop Carroll Catholic High School in 2015 and will return to her hometown where she'll serve as a fifth grade English language arts and social studies teacher at Valley Center Intermediate School. Thompson is the daughter of Cassie and Kevin Bieker, and Patrick and Ashley Thompson.
