Kansas State University

MANHATTAN -- The Kansas State University College of Human Ecology named 13 students outstanding seniors. They were selected by their professors for their academic achievement, professional potential, leadership, participation and service.

The students were recognized May 17 at the college's Graduation Honors and Student Awards Celebration. The students included:

* Marie Montoya, bachelor's graduate in the dietetics coordinated program, Andover. Montoya researched trayless dining options within the university dining environment and created a bilingual calendar to motivate children to eat better and exercise more as part of Walk Kansas for Kids. She developed and implemented an employee wellness program at a hospital in El Dorado, has been a volunteer at Mercy Hospital in Miami and Peruvian Air Force Hospital in Lima, Peru. Montoya plans to become a registered dietitian. She is the daughter of Veronica and Jaime Montoya, Lima, Peru.

* Kelsie Doty, bachelor's graduate in apparel design and production, Council Grove. Among Doty's achievements are participation in juried shows such as the International Textile and Apparel Association Design Exhibition and Fiber to Fashion, sponsored by the Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association. She has been an undergraduate teaching assistant and research assistant. The recipient of several scholarships, Doty has been accepted in the college's master's degree program in apparel design and production and been awarded a graduate assistantship. She is the daughter of Rodney and Carolyn Koehn, Burns.

* Simone Dorsey, bachelor's graduate in family studies and human services, Manhattan. Dorsey graduated with minors in Spanish and American ethnic studies. A College of Human Ecology ambassador, she has worked on researching multicultural couples and families. She is president of the university's LGBT and Allies and is an activist for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students' rights on and off campus. Dorsey wants to attend graduate school in marriage and family therapy.

* Joel Reimer, bachelor's graduate in personal financial planning, Manhattan. Reimer has served as a peer counselor with the university's Powercat Financial Counseling since the program started and was a research assistant with the College of Human Ecology's Institute of Personal Financial Planning. He works full time as paramedic captain and training coordinator for the Riley County Emergency Medical Services. During tax season he volunteered with the VITA program. He also earned a minor in business. He is the son of JeElla and Vernon Reimer, Reedley, Calif.

* Andrea Sisk, bachelor's graduate in interior design, Overland Park. Sisk was a member of the student team that won first place in the 2013 Interior Design Educators Council student design competition. She is an interior design student ambassador and has been a leader in Gamma Phi Beta sorority and the student chapter of the both national and international interior design professional organizations. A member of Kappa Omicron Nu honor society and recipient of numerous scholarships, including the university's Leadership Scholarship, she has accepted a job as interior designer with PGAV Architects in Kansas City, Mo. She is the daughter of Brenda and Randall Sisk, Overland Park.

* Margaret Weller, bachelor's graduate in communication sciences and disorders, Overland Park. Weller presented the student address at the College of Human Ecology commencement ceremony. She is president of Mortar Board senior honor society and has received awards for her accomplishments in student leadership, debate and forensics. She plans to attend graduate school in speech-language pathology. Her other activities include the Student Alumni Board and the Student Foundation. The owner of Maggie's Cakes, she is the daughter of Coleen and Rick Weller, Overland Park.

* Rachael Capsey, summer 2013 bachelor's candidate in family studies and human service, Salina. Capsey is a first-generation college student who plans to attend graduate school and become a social worker. She serves as events coordinator for the Multicultural Student Union at K-State Salina and interned at the Kansas Department of Children and Families. Her volunteer work includes Heartland Policy Council president, with Parent-Teacher Organizations at two schools in Salina and with Mothers of Preschoolers International. She is a member of Phi Kappa Phi honor society and Kappa Omicron Nu, the human sciences honor society.

* Theresia McCollum, bachelor's graduate in nutrition and kinesiology, Severy. McCollum studied for a semester at Lorenzo de' Medici University in Italy. She has volunteered with Mercy Regional Health Center, Meals on Wheels and Wildcat Wellness Coaching Trial. She is a member of Phi Kappa Phi honor society and was on the university's cadaver team. She interned with KidZercise Program and is a certified senior pharmacy technician. McCollum has received 10 different scholarships. She plans to go to medical school. She is the daughter of Jill McCollum, Dodge City, and Patrick Mahaffey, Surprise, Ariz.

* Leah Parsons, bachelor's graduate in apparel marketing, Topeka. Parsons completed internships in Kansas City, New York City and London, where she also studied at the American InterContinental University. Her leadership roles include apparel and textiles student ambassador, ATID Symposium and the Apparel Marketing Design Alliance. Parsons also earned minors in business administration and public relations. She is the daughter of Greg Parsons, Topeka.

* Jessica High, bachelor's graduate in family studies and human services, Wichita. When High was not playing piccolo in the K-State Marching Band or serving as vice president of the McCain Student Ambassadors, she was working toward three minors: music, Spanish and conflict resolution/trauma studies. She was a volunteer translator/interpreter for the Crisis Center and an intern at the Family Center. She has been accepted into the university's marriage and family therapy graduate program.

* Jenna Simpson, bachelor's graduate in early childhood education, Wichita. She has been an assistant teacher with infants and toddlers at the College of Human Ecology's Hoeflin Stone House Child Care Center and at Northridge Academy in Wichita. She has done volunteer work with children at Wesley Medical Center and Via Christi Hospital, served as activities coordinator for the American Cancer Society's Camp Hope, and was active at St. Isidore's Catholic Student Center. Simpson wants to be a certified child life specialist in a hospital setting. She is the daughter of Janice and James Simpson, Wichita.

* Gretchen Strathe, bachelor's graduate in the dietetic didactic program and public health nutrition, Wichita. She was the Nutrition Consultant of the Year in 2011 for the university's recreation services and was active in the Student Dietetic Association and Health and Nutrition Society. She was on the university's cadaver team, worked at a weight loss camp in Pennsylvania and was an International Service Learning volunteer in Liberia. The recipient of numerous scholarships, she is the daughter of Julie Strathe, Wichita, and Jim Strathe, Gonzales, La.

* Lauren Koepp, bachelor's graduate in interior design, La Vernia, Texas. Koepp served as president of the Human Ecology Council, is in the University Honors Program and has been involved in student government, Gamma Phi Beta sorority, Kappa Omicron Nu honor society and student chapters of national and international interior design professional organizations. She was co-chair of the ATID Symposium and interned with RVK Architects in San Antonio, Texas. She has a secondary major in gerontology. Koepp and is the daughter of Patricia and Dwight Koepp, La Vernia.