Source: Pam Monroe, 785-532-5525, pmonroe@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Beth Bohn, 785-532-6415, bbohn@k-state.edu

Thursday, Dec. 24, 2009

SEVEN K-STATE STUDENTS EARN AWARDS FROM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

MANHATTAN -- Seven new graduates of Kansas State University's College of Education were honored at the college's commencement ceremony Dec. 12 for their outstanding undergraduate work or their potential as future teachers.

Five of the students were honored with the college's Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Two Outstanding Future Teacher Awards also were presented, to an elementary education graduate and a secondary education graduate.

Students, all December 2009 K-State graduates, recognized by the college include:

* Emily Winter, secondary education, Chapman, College of Education Outstanding Future Teacher Award. Winter is married to Jonathan Winter and is the daughter of Johnnie and Jean Johnson, Chapman. She is a 2003 graduate of Chapman High School.

* Rachel Kelly, secondary education, Hutchinson, College of Education Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Kelly was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority; was active in Navigators Campus Ministry; served as historian of Silver Key, the sophomore honorary; was a member of the College of Education Ambassadors; and served as president and vice president of the College of Education Council. She studied abroad in Costa Rica during summer 2007. A Kansas State Scholar, she also was the recipient of the Kansas Teacher Service Scholarship, College of Education Scholarship and several other awards. Kelly is married to Daniel Kelly and is the daughter of Robert and Susan Bacon, Hutchinson. She is a 2005 graduate of Haven High School.

* Jennie Skibbe, elementary education, Newton, College of Education Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Skibbe has been a K-State semester honors list student. She also was the recipient of several education scholarships, including the Elvon G. and Lydia E. Skeen scholarship. She graduated with honors from Butler Community College, where she was a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society. Skibbe is marred to Eric Skibbe and is the daughter of Daniel and Dana Barnard, Newton. She is a 2005 graduate of Newton High School.

* Lydia Peele, secondary education, Olathe, College of Education Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Peele is a former K-State student body president and vice president. She also was active with her sorority, Chi Omega, serving as Panhellenic Council delegate. She was vice president of membership for the K-State Student Foundation, and was a member of Mortar Board, the senior honor society, and Chimes, the junior honor society. Her numerous honors include the 2009 Dean of Student Life Outstanding Graduating Senior Award, Blue Key Leadership Scholarship, 2008 K-State Student Governing Association outstanding female leader, and a K-State Proud Hero Award. Peele is the daughter of Alex and Cathy Peele, Olathe, and a 2004 graduate of Olathe North High School.

* Amanda Sherraden, secondary education, Olathe, College of Education Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. While at K-State, Sherraden served as assistant vice president of her sorority, Alpha Chi Omega. She also was treasurer of the College of Education Ambassadors; Chalkboard editor on the Education Council; served as a K-State ambassador for Johnson County; and was a member of Kappa Delta Pi education honorary. In addition, she received the Elvon G. and Lydia E. Skeen scholarship. Sherraden is the daughter of Sean and Jean Sherraden, Olathe, and a 2005 graduate of Olathe South High School.

* Jayci Hamm, elementary education, Stanwood, Iowa, College of Education Outstanding Future Teacher Award. A summa cum laude graduate of K-State, Hamm also was a K-State semester honors list student. She was the recipient of the Herr Memorial and College of Education scholarships. She is married to Jason Hamm and is the daughter of Karen and Gary Salyars and Terry Sellner, all of Stanwood. She is a graduate of Maquoketa Valley Senior High School in Delhi, Iowa, and received an associate degree from Kirkwood Community College.

* Kayla Roehler, elementary education, Cumberland Wis., College of Education Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. At K-State, Roehler served as president and vice president of emPower Cats. She also is a member of Delta Alpha Pi international honor society and a recipient of the James K. Shaver scholarship. Roehler is married to Brock Roehler and is the daughter of James and Valerie Bunker, Topeka. She is a 2005 graduate of Washburn Rural High School.