TOPEKA — The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) is pleased to announce that 313 Kansas high school seniors have earned the recognition as 2026 Kansas Career and Technical Education (CTE) Scholars.
The Kansas CTE Scholar program is an opportunity to recognize well-rounded, outstanding CTE students who are finishing their senior year of high school. The first Kansas CTE Scholars were named in 2017.
To be named a CTE Scholar, a student must be a high school senior and meet the following criteria:
- Have completed (or upon successful completion of current course enrollment) a minimum of three CTE credits with at least two of the three credits above introductory level. Earned credits must be in one pathway.
- Have a CTE grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or better in CTE coursework.
- Be involved in civic engagement leadership, which refers to a student selecting an issue of concern and providing leadership through project-based actions to improve the community, state or nation; or have a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer experience. A letter of validation is required for civic engagement leadership, and documentation of 40 hours with an adult signature is required for community service.
Technical Skill Attainment
A minimum of one of the following technical skill attainment options must be earned and verified:
- Earned an end of pathway (aligned with pathway selected) assessment/certification for completer status (industry- recognized certification or a passing score on a third-party, end-of- pathway assessment) recorded on the K-PAC (Kansas Pathway Assessments, Credentials or Certifications) columns eight (8) and nine (9).
- Earned an Excel in CTE Qualifying Recognized Credential aligned to the Pathway selected.
- Earned nine (9) + college hours leading to completion of a certificate, or post-secondary program aligned to the Pathway's Program of Study that was selected.
- Completed a high-quality work-based learning career preparation experience, Kansas Work-Based Learning Continuum, in the Pathway selected defined in Kansas Work-Based Learning: Personalized Learning Plan Guidance Document.
CTE scholars receive a commemorative pin, special certificate, graduation honor cord and statewide recognition.
Here's a list of area students who received recognition:
USD 313 Buhler
Cody Jones, Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems
Reuben Harder, Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems
Samuel Hershberger, Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems Tucker Schlatter, Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems
Emma Hays, Animal Science, Health and Related Industries
Jenna Lackey, Animal Science, Health and Related Industries
Khloe Blackwell, Animal Science, Health and Related Industries
Mekenna Mendenhall, Animal Science, Health and Related Industries
Taylor Beals, Animal Science, Health and Related Industries
Alexis Andrew, Plant Science and Industry Operations
Cooper Jones, Plant Science and Industry Operations
Emily Hare, Plant Science and Industry Operations
Gage Warkentin, Plant Science and Industry Operations
Kiley Holmquist, Plant Science and Industry Operations
USD 373 Newton
Chloe Harder, Animal Science, Health and Related Industries
Davin Treffer, Business Finance
Gabriel Decker, Business Finance
Cody Jay, Diversified Agricultural Science
Emma Gering, Health Science
Taylor Rose, Media Design and Communications
Ella Ryan, Mobile Equipment Maintenance
Adalynn Lehrman, Plant Science and Industry Operations
Natalie Owen, Plant Science and Industry Operations
Chloe Ribble, Teaching/Training
Allison Boese, Animal Science, Health and Related Industries
Mikaela Castaneda, Engineering and Applied Mathematics
Hope Ewy, Health Science
Marleigh Schmidt, Health Science
Vanessa Monsivais, Health Science
Ashley McMullin, Plant Science and Industry Operations
Izabella Hinojos, Plant Science and Industry Operations
Arica Kern, Teaching/Training
USD 438 Skyline (Pratt)
Trystan Harrold, Animal Science, Health and Related Industries
Cheyanne Snider, Plant Science and Industry Operations
USD 349 Stafford
Emmarie Ginest, Diversified Agricultural Science