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Media Relations
Kansas State University
9 Anderson Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506
785-532-6415
media@k-state.edu

Information provided by K-State Media Relations, K-State's news service, may be reproduced without permission. The marks and names of Kansas State University are protected trademarks and may not be used in any commercial or private endeavor without the approval of the university.

Source: Pam Monroe, 785-532-5525, pmonroe@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Andy Badeker, 785-532-6415, abadeker@k-state.edu

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

K-STATE'S COLLEGE OF EDUCATION PRESENTS AWARDS TO SEVEN STUDENTS

MANHATTAN -- Kansas State University's College of Education honored seven graduating seniors at the college's commencement ceremony May 17.

Five students received the Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Two Outstanding Future Teacher Awards also were presented, to an elementary education graduate and a secondary education graduate.

Students recognized by the college included:

* Nicolette Begnoche, bachelor's graduate in elementary education, Aurora, Outstanding Future Teacher Award for Elementary Education. Begnoche was a College of Education Ambassador and a representative to the Kansas National Education Association student program. At Moore Hall she was floor vice president. Begnoche belonged to the Phi Eta Sigma and Phi Beta Lambda honoraries as well as to the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. She is a 2004 graduate of Clifton-Clyde High School and the daughter of Linda and Gary Begnoche.

* Daniel P. Ochs, bachelor's graduate in elementary education, Bennington, Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Ochs won a Putnam Scholarship and a Dane G. Hansen Memorial Scholarship. He belonged to the Teacher Education Advisory Committee and the Kansas National Teachers Association student program. He also was director-designee and a counselor for Camp S.W.A.T. Summer Day Camp, as well as a third-grade basketball coach for Manhattan Parks and Recreation. Ochs, who was named a 2008 Kansas Teacher of Promise, also belonged to Blue Key, the senior honorary. A 2003 graduate of Bennington High School, he is the son of Linda and Pat Ochs.

* Lyle Andrew Sobba, bachelor's graduate in music education, Ellinwood, Outstanding Future Teacher Award for Secondary Education. A member of many K-State music groups, Sobba was especially active in marching band, serving as section leader and a student staff member. He belonged to the Kappa Kappa Psi band honorary and the K-State chapter of the Collegiate Music Educators National Conference. Sobba won the Rod Funk Award, the Harry E. Erickson Award and a Future Kansas Educators Scholarship. A 2001 graduate of Ellinwood High School, he is the son of Linda and Leon Sobba.

* Jessica DeForest, bachelor's graduate in business education, Florence, Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. DeForest won a K-State College of Education Alumni Scholarship and a Kansas Business Educator Association Scholarship. She was president of Pi Omega Pi, the business education honorary, and was treasurer of the Business Education Club and Christian Challenge. She taught English at a Russian business institute during summer 2007. DeForest is a 2004 graduate of Marion High School and the daughter of Cathy and Chuck DeForest.

* Eryn Wood, bachelor's graduate in English and journalism education, Macksville, Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Wood won a Tomorrow's Teacher Scholarship and a Marian H. Pelton organ scholarship. She was active in the Mortar Board senior honorary, the K-State Student Foundation, the All-University Honor Council and the College of Education Student Council. She also belonged to the Kappa Delta Pi education honorary and the Phi Kappa Phi honorary. Her volunteer positions included as a pianist for Meadowlark Hills, site coordinator and program leader for the Manhattan Boys and Girls Club, volleyball coach for the Flint Hills League and a UFM teen mentor. She is a 2004 graduate of Macksville High School and the daughter of Natalie and Darrell Wood.

* Kyle Johnson, a bachelor's graduate in social studies education, Topeka, Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Johnson was vice president of the College of Education Ambassadors and the College of Education Student Council. He was active in his fraternity, FarmHouse, and was a member of the Lutheran Student Fellowship and Kappa Delta Pi education honorary. Johnson won the Skeen Future Teacher Scholarship. He is a 2004 graduate of Seaman High School. His parents are Cheryl and Kirk Johnson.

* John Peter Wetzel, bachelor's graduate in elementary education, Westwood, Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Wetzel was active in Mortar Board senior honorary and the National Residence Hall Honorary. He founded the New Orleans alternative spring break and the Strong Complex diversity team. A member of the American Humanics Student Association, Wetzel was a planning committee member of the group's management institute in Washington, D.C. He attended the Historically Black Colleges and Universities National Conference in New Orleans. He volunteered for Northview Elementary School, the Douglass Center, the Boys and Girls Club of Manhattan and the Jardine Apartment Complex. He is a 2003 graduate of Shawnee Mission East High School. His parents are Jane and Louis Wetzel.