DES MOINES – Jillian Hanson, a senior at Union Community School District, and Joshua Lasley, a senior at North Tama County Community School District, were among those recognized by Gov. Kim Reynolds and Lt. Governor Chris Cournoyer for outstanding academic achievement at the 24th Annual Governor’s Scholar Recognition Ceremony April 26 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines.

The statewide program, sponsored by the Iowa Governor’s Office, Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and its title sponsor the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), honored 429 high school seniors from across Iowa.

Each high school was invited to select a senior student with the highest academic ranking. Students selected for the award also had the opportunity to recognize their favorite/most influential teacher and will receive a photo plaque of their meeting with Governor Reynolds and Lt. Governor Cournoyer.

Ninety-eight percent of those recognized participate in extra-curricular school activities, with more than 80% participating in at least one interscholastic sport. More than 68% of the group plan to continue their education in Iowa.