USD 480 would like to congratulate the nine Liberal High School seniors who were named KSDE CTE Scholars.

2026 LHS Kansas CTE Scholars

Ariana Tarango – Animal Science, Health and Related Industries
Sofia Lucena – Biotechnology
Alexis Ugalde – Business Management and Entrepreneurship
Klaire Anderson – Business Management and Entrepreneurship
Tanner Denoyer – Engineering and Applied Mathematics
Alexis Luna – Health Science
Gavin Campfield – Health Science
Aaliyah Morales – Teaching/Training
Aleeah Garibay – Teaching/Training

The Kansas CTE Scholar program is an opportunity to recognize well-rounded, outstanding CTE students who are finishing their senior year of high school.

To be named a CTE Scholar, a student must be a high school senior and meet the following criteria:
* Have completed (or upon successful completion of current course enrollment) a minimum of three CTE credits with at least two of the three credits above introductory level. Earned credits must be in one pathway.
* Have a CTE grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or better in CTE coursework.
* Be involved in civic engagement leadership, which refers to a student selecting an issue of concern and providing leadership through project-based actions to improve the community, state or nation; or have a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer experience. A letter of validation is required for civic engagement leadership, and documentation of 40 hours with an adult signature is required for community service.

A minimum of one of the following technical skill attainment options must be earned and verified:
* Earned an end of pathway (aligned with pathway selected) assessment/certification for completer status (industry- recognized certification or a passing score on a third-party, end-of- pathway assessment) recorded on the K-PAC (Kansas Pathway Assessments, Credentials or Certifications) columns eight (8) and nine (9).
* Earned an Excel in CTE Qualifying Recognized Credential aligned to the Pathway selected.
* Earned nine (9) + college hours leading to completion of a certificate, or post-secondary program aligned to the Pathway’s Program of Study that was selected.
* Completed a high-quality work-based learning career preparation experience, Kansas Work-Based Learning Continuum, in the Pathway selected defined in Kansas Work-Based Learning: Personalized Learning Plan Guidance Document.

CTE scholars receive a commemorative pin, special certificate, graduation honor cord and statewide recognition.