Left to right: Sydney Campbell, Kendra Overdick, Michael Shelly, Derek Richardson, Tyler Merz, Ernie Rowland, Anne Weingart, Mykah Barnes, McKenzie Blevins, Kyle Tollefson, and Rebecca Knudson.

The Brown County Veterans Honor Guard, along with the Hiawatha, Kan., American Legion Post 66, held its annual student recognition dinner last week. Guests for the evening included four Hiawatha High School seniors who attended Girls or Boys State this past June. Boys State was held at Kansas State University with Girls State at the University of Kansas campus; both were a weeklong program.
2016 graduating seniors receiving a scholarship include Hiawatha, Horton and Doniphan West high schools. These outstanding local young people are all continuing their education at Kansas community colleges, trade school or four-year universities in the Fall. Two scholarship recipients were unavailable for the dinner: Lexie Whetstine, and John Vonderschmidt of Doniphan West High School.
The guest of honor at this event was Ernie Rowland, WWII veteran and lifetime member of Post 66. At 99, he greatly appreciated the gratitude and respect shown him for his service to our country, especially from the young people in attendance.