Westar Energy is 'Powering' next generation

A local company helped "Power" the future plans of several area graduates.

Westar Energy honored two dozen high school students, winners of their Haines/Weber Scholarships.

Recipients were chosen for their academics, activities, community service and leadership.

"My mom has a friend, her husband works with Westar Energy and he told me I should try coming on a ride with him and he showed me a lot of different things and it was great!" Scholarship Recipient Aden Lee said.

While 14 of the students are entering a range of careers, ten were chosen especially for their plans to work in the energy industry.

Josh Begnoche

•Clay Center Community High School

•Attending Cloud County Community College

•Seeking a degree in wind energy technology

Caden Churchman

•Graduate of Rock Creek High School

•Attending Kansas State University

•Seeking a degree in computer science

Evan Fox

•Graduate of Jackson Heights High School

•Attending Kansas State University

•Seeking a degree in engineering

Nate Gainer

•Graduate of Anderson County High School

•Attending the University of Kansas

•Seeing a degree in mechanical engineering

Victoria Harper

•Graduate of Prairie View High School

•Attending Johnson Co. Community College, Kansas State University

•Seeking a degree in accounting

Columba Herrera-Gonzalez

•Graduate of Topeka West High School

•Attending Kansas State University

•Seeking a degree in computer science

Huy Thai Vinh Ho

•Graduate of Wichita East High School

•Attending Wichita Area Technical College

•Seeking a degree in computer science

Kyle Krehbiel

•Graduate of Central Christian High School

•Attending Cloud County Community College

•Seeking a degree in wind energy technology

Elliott Kobiskie

•Graduate of Abilene High School

•Attending Emporia State University

•Seeking a degree in accounting

Aden Lee

•Graduate of Maize High School

•Attending Pratt Community College

•Seeking a degree in electrical power technology

Hunter Metcalf

•Graduate of Parsons High School

•Attending Pratt Community College

•Seeking a degree in electrical power technology

Luke Nichols

•Graduate of Santa Fe Trail High School

•Attending Flint Hills Technical College

•Seeking a degree in power plant technology

Caleb Perry

•Graduate of St. Marys High School

•Attending Cloud County Community College

•Seeking a degree in wind energy technology

Jacob Quick

•Graduate of Wichita Northwest High School

•Attending Pratt Community College

•Seeking a degree in electrical power technology

Parker Ramirez

•Graduate of Hayden High School

•Attending the University of Kansas

•Seeking a degree in mechanical engineering

Derek Martinez Reynaga

•Graduate of Highland Park High School

•Attending Washburn University

•Seeking a degree in business and finance

Kathy Martinez Reynaga

•Graduate of Highland Park High School

•Attending the University of Kansas

•Seeking a degree in chemical engineering

Derek Shaheen

•Rock Creek High School

•Attending Kansas State University

•Seeking a degree in business and finance

Korbin Smith

•Graduate of Marmaton Valley High School

•Attending Pratt Community College

•Seeking a degree in electrical power technology

Caleb Stephens

•Graduate of Colony-Crest High School

•Attending Pratt Community College

•Seeking a degree in electrical power technology

Joshua Villanueva

•Topeka West High School

•Attending Wichita State University

•Seeking a degree in engineering

Morgan Wright

•Lawrence Free State High School

•Attending the University of Kansas

•Seeking a degree in computer science

Raisa YapMoreno

•Graduate of Fort Scott High School

•Attending Pittsburg State University

•Seeking a degree in computer science

Wynter Ziegler

•Graduate of Santa Fe Trail High School

•Attending Flint Hills Technical College

•Seeking a degree in power plant technology