Source: Kiley Moody, 785-532-6318, kmoody@k-state.edu
Website: http://www.k-state.edu/nss/scholarships/PresidentialScholarship.htm

Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011

PRESIDENTIAL MATERIAL: HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS FROM LINCOLN, OTTAWA AND OVERLAND PARK EARN K-STATE'S LARGEST SCHOLARSHIP

MANHATTAN -- Three high school seniors from Kansas have earned Kansas State University's Presidential Scholarship, the largest scholarship award in the state.

The Presidential Scholarship is worth $20,000 a year or up to $80,000 over four years. As K-State's most selective scholarship award, it recognizes students who have been outstanding academically and were student leaders during their high school career.

The 2011 recipients are: Kara Cavalli, Lincoln, Lincoln High School; Carson Barnes, Ottawa, Baldwin High School; and Robert "Rob" Breeden, Overland Park, Olathe East High School.

K-State received 193 applications for the Presidential Scholarship, and a selection committee interviewed 11 finalists for the scholarships Jan. 24.

"Kansas State University takes great pride in recognizing outstanding students from Kansas and across the region who are making a significant impact in their high schools and communities. I'm confident these students will become great K-Staters, and I look forward to welcoming them to our K-State family," said Kirk Schulz, university president.

Mark Chapman, a K-State alum, is providing funding for Cavalli’s Presidential Scholarship. Cavalli plans to major in education. Chapman also is funding the Presidential Scholarship awarded in 2010 to Ben Harstine, freshman in arts and sciences-open option, Towanda. Chapman, a former Kansas resident who now lives in Cat Spring, Texas, is a key supporter of numerous programs at K-State.

The following Kansas high school seniors also were finalists for the Presidential Scholarship:

Wade Gutierrez, Belleville, Republic County High School; Thomas "Barret" Wellemeyer, Derby, Derby High School; Abby Works, Iola, Iola High School; Suhani Gandhi, Olathe, Olathe South High School; Dalton Hoose, Parsons, Parsons High School; Kevin Kleine, Prairie Village, Bishop Miege High School; Ross Allen, Soldier, Jackson Heights High School; and Samantha Claassen, Whitewater, Remington High School.