SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
TOPEKA, Kan. — More than two dozen high school seniors from Buhler, Newton, and Lyons have been honored as 2025 Kansas Career and Technical Education (CTE) Scholars by the Kansas State Department of Education. The recognition was announced at the Kansas State Board of Education meeting on April 8 in Topeka.
The Kansas CTE Scholar program honors outstanding seniors who demonstrate excellence in career and technical education through advanced coursework, community involvement, and technical skill development. Each scholar receives a commemorative pin, certificate, graduation honor cord, and is recognized statewide for their achievements.
Buhler High School (USD 313) – 13 Scholars
These students earned distinction for their work in either Animal Science or Power, Structural and Technical Systems pathways:
- Brayden Henry
- Brendan Scripsick
- Eliza Aldrich
- Ella Sanborn
- Gage Elliott
- Jake Winters
- Juliette Shank
- Kyler Gillespie
- Maecy Rosenberger
- Payton Huffman
- Rachael Mourn
- Talon Sullivant
- Will Hanen
Newton High School (USD 373) – 16 Scholars
Newton High School seniors earned honors across a wide range of CTE pathways, including health science, engineering, digital media, and more:
- Abigail Secor – Plant Systems
- Addilyn Johnson – Animal Science
- Ashleigh Timmons – Manufacturing
- Cadence Jolly – Health Science
- Evan Kaufman – Engineering and Applied Mathematics
- Gavin Hadley – Engineering and Applied Mathematics
- Hannah Tate – Digital Media
- Kennedy Seidl – Health Science
- Marcella Gonzalez – Health Science
- Maxwell Antonowich – Manufacturing
- Nathan Barron – Construction and Design
- Regan Hirsh – Digital Media
- Taylor Rickard – Engineering and Applied Mathematics
- Trek Wedel – Engineering and Applied Mathematics
- Zeanna Stenzel – Animal Science
Lyons High School (USD 405) – 1 Scholar
- William Miller – Comprehensive Agriculture Science
To qualify for the CTE Scholar distinction, students must complete at least three pathway-specific CTE course credits (with two at an advanced level), maintain a 3.5 GPA in those courses, participate in civic engagement or community service, and demonstrate technical skill attainment through certifications, college credit, or work-based learning experiences.
These students exemplify the strength of career and technical education across central Kansas and represent the future of the state’s skilled workforce.