Arkansas City recognized finalists for its 2026 Outstanding Student Award during a reception held Monday at Cowley College’s Brown Center.
Students from Arkansas City Middle School, Arkansas City High School and Cowley College were honored for academic achievement and community involvement.
Finalists from Arkansas City Middle School are Cara Cales, Brooklyn Vickers and Finleigh West.
Arkansas City High School finalists are Emmerson Allen, Xavier Lawler and Wyatt Paton.
Cowley College finalists are Breanna Curry, Dacey Morris and Gracy Smith.
An awards banquet is scheduled for April 20, when one student will be named the city’s Outstanding Student of the Year. The winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship, with $500 awarded to the first runner-up and $250 to the second runner-up.
The program was established by the City Commission to recognize students who demonstrate academic success, leadership and community involvement. Students are nominated by teachers and school staff, with finalists selected by a committee appointed by the mayor and City Commission. Continue below ad.
Full list of 2026 Outstanding Student Award nominees
Arkansas City Middle School:
Elizabeth Bergkamp, Sophie Bazil, Emmett Borum, Cara Cales, Emrey Calvin, Kasen Coble, Felicity Dykes, Yosvani Garcia, Kayla Hernandez, Carmen Hutchinson, Genevieve Kerwood, Julia Koehn, Maddex Mitchell, Hayden Munson, Rafael Ortiz, Dorializ Santos Ortiz, Alice Paton, Reese Pieper, Aria Ripley, Quinn Richardson, Quentin Seymour, Brooklyn Vickers, Jaylee Velky, Sophie Weatherford and Finleigh West.
Arkansas City High School:
Viviana Aliano, Emmerson Allen, Cinthia Calvillo Flores, Paige Cassiday-Minnie, Santiago Castillo, Catalina López de la Cruz, Cruz Czaplinski, Julie Crawford, Arvada “Jordan” Durham, Shihan “Jason” Fang, Mylee Giles, Swea Gootee, William Noble Horton, Bailey Jackson, Jaxson Jackson, Xavier Lawler, Cameron Layton, Alizabella Meile, Ragen Meinen, Milo McLeod, Tristan Murphy, Trey Noland, Wyatt Paton, Zachary Pieper, Dionica Rodriguez Muz, Haylea Sampson, Lillian Seaton, Harper Webb, Shay Wyckoff and Crystal Zapata.
Cowley College:
Gabrielle Adams, Katie Cook, Nathan Curran, Breanna Curry, Hanna Darvas, Mallory Jackson, Cooper Leonard, Jessi McDowell, Dacey Morris, Ariana Peterson, Elijah Roberts, Gracy Smith, Makenzie Tanner and Mackenzie Wegner.
