TOPEKA, Kan. – At the invitation of Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, 527 Kansas high school students were selected to attend the 43rd Annual Governor’s Scholars Awards Program on May 3, 2026, in Topeka.
The recognition ceremony honors the top academic 1% of Kansas high school seniors. Students are selected from accredited public and private schools in the state based on their academic achievements over the course of their high school years.
View the full list of seniors who will be honored at the ceremony.
This program is hosted by Washburn University and coordinated for the Governor by the Confidence in Kansas Public Education Task Force. Sunday’s event prelude music and National Anthem will be performed by student musicians from Lawrence Free State High School. Free State was honored as the 2025-26 KSHSAA Performing Arts School of Excellence Award winner. The event will also feature remarks from 2026 Kansas Teacher of the Year Rachel Marlow from the Olathe School District.