April 12, 2005

Twenty Cowley College students nominated for Ark City award

Twenty sophomores from Cowley College were among 121 students nominated for the Outstanding Student Award of Arkansas City.

Students from Cowley, Arkansas City High School and Arkansas City Middle School were recognized at a ceremony Monday night in the Robert Brown Theatre inside Cowley College’s Brown Center.

The top three students from each school were announced. Three Arkansas City natives—Amanda Hadicke, Whitney Jones, and Lory Turney—are finalists from the college. They will join six other students, three each from ACHS and ACMS, at a banquet at 6:30 p.m. April 18 in the Wright Room. The top student from each school will be announced at that time and will be presented a plaque. The top overall student from the three finalists also will be announced.

Other Cowley students nominated: Tim Badley, Arkansas City; Logan Blackburn, Mulvane; Cara Boswell, Cedar Vale; Jenny Dalrymple, Wichita (Valley Center High School); Mark Gubichuk, Arkansas City; Bronze Hill, Arkansas City (Dexter High School); Tin Hinst, Croatia; Andrea Iman, Elkhart; Joel Kientz, Rose Hill; Travis Kliewer, Fairview, Okla.; Michaela Magallan, Niceville, Fla.; Whitney Smith, Mulvane; Tiffanie Spencer, South Haven; Megan Swanson, Arkansas City; Morgan Williams, Dexter; A.J. Ybarra, Wellington; and Kelly Zoglman, Mount Hope (Garden Plain High School).

Toni Greene, chair of the Outstanding Student Award Board, opened Monday’s program by saying a few words about the award. She also told the audience some of the questions the interview committee asked students. They included, “If you could meet one person, who would it be and why?” “If you could change one thing in America, what would it be?” “What do you value most about school?” “If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?” “If you could go anywhere, where would it be and why?” And “If you had one wish, what is it and why?”

Wayne Short, Arkansas City mayor, then came to the podium and gave a bit of history about the award, which began in 1984. He also delivered words of encouragement to the students and their parents.

“There are 121 nominations this year, and all are winners,” Short said. “These students are leaders in our schools, and will be leaders in our city.”

He went on to say that being an outstanding student was more than just one aspect of student life.

“It’s more than grades,” he said, “and it’s more than athletics. True leaders in our community will make this a better place.”

Short said parents should “be proud of these students and take pride in yourselves.”

In closing, Short said, “Thank you students for what you have done, but what you will do in the future.”