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By ALEX GAMBILL
Traveler Photographer
photographer@arkcity.net

A night of praise was held in honor of nine outstanding Arkansas City students; with one emerging as Arkansas City's Outstanding Student in a ceremony Thursday night at the Brown Center on the campus of Cowley College.

Immanuel Thompson, a Wichita freshman at Cowley College, was named the Outstanding Student of Arkansas City, and for the first time since the honor was created in 1984, the winner received a cash prize of $100.

At the ceremony, Thompson shared a personal story about his inspirations and how he got to where he is today.

When I was in sixth and seventh grades, I was a boxer, said Thompson.

"I started boxing in my spare time since I didn't do my homework," he said.

But after his grades went down, his mother, Brenda, took him out of boxing, which encouraged him to bring his grades up.

"I got my grades up quickly and started fighting again. Ever since sixth and seventh grades, I've been on the honor role."

Former Ark City Mayor Bud Shelton who helped create the award in 1984 said that the students honored are our future leaders.

"The leaders of our community, the leaders of our county and our state are in this age group right now," he said. "My goal is to see that we honor these people."

Thompson's mother said she was overly excited that her son won the award.

"This is the best thing to see how well the boys have done. It was not easy being a single parent," she said. "I have an interest in what they're [her sons] are doing. I make sure they are getting their homework done."

Thompson said since he is so busy, every time he gets honored it gives him a boost of confidence he needs to keep going.

"I think [the award] was perfect timing so I can finish off the year on the right foot. Everything I've done for the school in academics has been recognized," he said.

He said he plans to attend Wichita State University or Kansas State and pursue the study of sports medicine.

"I'll never forget this day because out of 75 or 76 great students, I came out on top," he said.

In regard to his mother he said, "I look up to her. She leads by example. I follow her. You have to be a great follower before you can be a great leader."

The other eight finalists were Colby Watters, Wes Brantley and Spencer Venus from the middle school; Siera Lungren, Jonathan Wallace and Sarah Martin from the high school; and Jancye Sturd and William Brantley from Cowley College.

Above: Immanuel Thompson was named the top student in Arkansas City Thursday evening.