2020 ExCEL Award Recipients

The Minnesota State High School League and Wells Fargo will recognize the 2020 ExCEL Award recipients during the halftime of the Class 2A girls’ basketball championship game on Saturday, March 14. ExCEL—Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership—is a unique recognition award that’s presented annually since 1996 to high school juniors that are active in League-sponsored activities, are leaders in their schools and demonstrate a strong commitment to community service.

“These student leaders are making a difference in the community they call home,” said League Associate Director Lisa Lissimore, who oversees the program. “Their approach to volunteerism inspires others to make service a central part of their lives.”

Among the 2020 ExCEL award recipients:

• St. Paul Central’s Georgia-Rae Plathe, who met with lawmakers in Washington, D.D., to advocate for protection of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

• Jack McNamee of Nevis, who is a coach of a Special Olympics basketball, track and swimming teams

• Rochester Mayo’s Annie Wu, who is an accomplished violinist selected to perform with the Rochester Symphony

• Orono’s Hadley Stephenson, who volunteers as a board member for Letters of Love, an organization whose members spread joy to children receiving care in Minnesota hospitals by writing anonymous letters of kindness.

“Wells Fargo is proud to sponsor the ExCEL program,” said Laurie Nordquist, Wells Fargo Minnesota CEO. “We congratulate this year’s award winners for demonstrating excellence in community, education and leadership.”

Awards recipients are selected through a multi-level process that involves League member schools and an independent panel of judges from schools throughout Minnesota. The recipients will be recognized on Saturday, March 14 during halftime of the Class AA girls basketball championship game at Williams Arena.

Here are the 2020 ExCEL Award recipients:

Kaylee Arndt | Fillmore Central

School Activities: Class Officer, Falcon Scholar Club, Knowledge Bowl, National Honor Society, Photography Club, Student Council, Teens Nurturing Teens, YearbookAthletics: Cross Country, Track and Field Fine Arts: Band, Speech, Visual ArtsCommunity Service: Church Volunteer, Meals on Wheels, Public Library Volunteer

Faith Balstad | Fosston

School Activities: Class Officer, Knowledge Bowl, National Honor Society, Student Council Athletics: Basketball, Robotics, Softball, Swimming Fine Arts: Band, Choir Community Service: 4-H, Adopt A Highway, Church Volunteer, Community Event Volunteer, Food Shelf Volunteer, Mission Trips

Halle Bemmels | Le Sueur-Henderson

School Activities: Class Officer, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Homecoming Committee, National Honor Society, Prom Committee, Student Council, Target (Alcohol and Drug Free), WE Day Athletics: Basketball, Softball, Volleyball Fine Arts: Band, Choir, State Art Show Community Service: Backpack Food Program, Blood Drive Volunteer, Church Volunteer and Choir, Musical Performer at Community Events, Relay for Life Cancer Fundraiser, Vision and Hearing Screening Volunteer, Youth Sports Instructor

Kaitlynn Bot | Lakeview

School Activities: Class Officer, Math League, National Honor Society, SADD, Student Council, Teacher Assistant, Theater Athletics: Basketball, Softball, Track, Volleyball Fine Arts: Band, Choir Community Service: Church Volunteer, Community Events Volunteer, Youth Basketball and Volleyball Coach and Referee

Maggie Bruns | Blooming Prairie

School Activities: Dance Committees, Education Foundation Board, Future Farmers of America, Prom Committee, Student Council Athletics: Basketball, Clay Target, Softball, Volleyball Fine Arts: Band Community Service: 4-H, Cancer Fundraiser Volunteer, Church Volunteer, Feed My Starving Children, Meals on Wheels, Sunday School Teacher, Youth Coach in Basketball, Softball and Volleyball

Jackson Burdorf | Sibley East

School Activities: Fine Arts Magazine Editor, Knowledge Bowl, National Honor Society, Student Council Athletics: Clay Target, Cross Country, Track and Field Fine Arts: Choir, One Act Play, Theater Community Service: Church Volunteer and Youth Group President, Game Protection League Service, Vacation Bible School, Youth Works Mission Trip

Cole Christopher | Jackson County Central

School Activities: Class Officer, Key Club, Mankato Area Youth Symphony, Math League, Student Council, Yearbook Athletics: Soccer Fine Arts: Band Community Service: 4-H, Church Volunteer, Food Drive, Meals on Wheels, Mission Trips, Pennies for Patients Fundraiser Committee, Teens in Mission Team, Vacation Bible School Volunteer

McKenna Coughlin | Ely Memorial

School Activities: Buddy Program, National Honor Society, Prom Committee, Science Club, Student Council, Youth in Action Athletics: Basketball, Track and Field, Volleyball Fine Arts: Band Community Service: Adopt A Highway, Camp Counselor, Nursing Home Volunteer, Relay For Life, Rotary Interact - Media Manager, Youth Volleyball Coach

Gracia Elias | Adrian

School Activities: Class Officer, Knowledge Bowl, Math League, National Honor Society, Prom Volunteer, Spanish Club, Student Council Athletics: Cross Country, Golf, Gymnastics Fine Arts: Choir, Speech, Theater Community Service: Church Volunteer, Coach, Hospital Volunteer, Wrestling Tournament Volunteer

Daniel Erlandson | Breckenridge

School Activities: Business Club, Class Officer, Knowledge Bowl, Mathletes, Prom Committee, Student CouncilAthletics: Football, Track and Field, Wrestling Fine Arts: Choir, Speech, Visual Arts Community Service: Church Volunteer, Community Event Volunteer, Community Youth Theater, Food Pantry Volunteer, Youth Sports Coach

Mya Hanson | St. James

School Activities: National Honor Society, Theater, Youth Council Athletics: Softball, Tennis Fine Arts: Band, Choir Community Service: 4-H, Church Music Volunteer, Dance Coach, Early Childhood Family Education Volunteer, Preschool Assistant Teacher, Youth Softball Coach

Gavyn Jensen-Schneider | North Branch Area

School Activities: Captains Club, National Honor Society, Peer Leadership Council Athletics: Baseball, Basketball, Football Fine Arts: Band Community Service: Eagle Scout, Youth Athletic Camps VolunteerSpecial Mention: For his Eagle Scout project, Gavyn spearheaded the restoration of North Branch High School’s softball field dugouts. He engaged local businesses and residents, as well as his family and friends, to donate time, labor and money in support of this renovation project to benefit student athletes and the community.

Lauren Johnson | Belle Plaine

School Activities: Minnesota Honor Society, Minnesota River Conference Leadership Conference, Newspaper, Outdoors Club, Peer Tutor, Student Council, Tiger PalsAthletics: Basketball, Softball, Volleyball Fine Arts: Band, Choir Community Service: Baseball Field Announcer and Scoreboard Volunteer, Church Volunteer, Community Event Volunteer, Youth Sports Camp Volunteer

Morgan Kisgen | Hancock

School Activities: Business Professionals of America, Class Officer, Dance Committee, Knowledge BowlAthletics: Basketball, Softball, Track and Field, Volleyball Fine Arts: Band, Choir Community Service: Adopt A Highway, Backpack Meal Program Volunteer, Church Volunteer, Community Event Volunteer, Feed My Starving Children, Free The Children, Sunday School Teacher, Youth Basketball and Volleyball VolunteerSpecial Mention: Morgan earned the Business Professionals of America Torch National Ambassador Award for her community service. The Torch Awards program promotes professionalism and leadership in career development and personal growth. Morgan also qualified to participate in the state and national BPA leadership conferences.

Aubrey Kosters | Alexandria Area

School Activities: High School Democrats of America, Mentorship Program, Serving Leading Acting Motivating, Theater, VIBE (Voice. Influence. Build. Educate.) Athletics: Basketball, Soccer, Track and Field Fine Arts: Choir, One Act Play, Orchestra Community Service: Backpack Attack Care Kits, Ballers That Bless, Church Volunteer, Dance Camp Choreographer and Counselor, Habitat For Humanity, Sunday School Volunteer, Theater Fundraiser Volunteer, Youth Basketball and Soccer Volunteer

LaRae Kram | Morris Area

School Activities: Business Professionals of America, Envirothon, Prom Committee, Sportsmanship Conference Athletics: Basketball, Softball, Volleyball Fine Arts: Band, Choir Community Service: Blood Drive Volunteer, Church Volunteer, Concessions Volunteer, Feed My Starving Children, Music Performer at Community Events, Stevens County Toy Shoppe Volunteer

Zya Lueders | Kimball Area

School Activities: Ag Day at Elementary School, Arts Club, Book Club, National Honor Society, Prom Committee, Sports Photographer Athletics: Cross Country, Track and Field Fine Arts: Band Community Service: Church Volunteer, Community Event Volunteer, Humane Society Volunteer, Library Fundraiser Volunteer, Mission Trips, Operation Christmas Child, Retreat Group Leader, Sunday School Teacher, Youth Track and Field Coach

Maxwell Lurken-Tvrdik | Melrose Area

School Activities: Activity Advisory Council, Class Officer, Knowledge Bowl, National Honor Society, SCSU Honor Band, Student Council, Theater Athletics: Football, Golf, Soccer Fine Arts: Band, Speech Community Service: Career ONE Youth Mentor, Kids Against Hunger, Summer Musical, Volunteer Speech Coach, Youth Soccer Coach

Logan McGee | Lakeville North

School Activities: All-State Honors Choir, Best Buddies, Chess Club, Historical Society, Homecoming Committee, National Honor Society, Peer Tutor, Student Council Athletics: Soccer, Track and Field Fine Arts: Choir Community Service: Blood Drive Volunteer, Feed My Starving Children, Food Drive Volunteer, Highway Cleanup, Holiday Toy Drive, Singing for the Elderly and Veterans, St. Stephen’s Homeless Shelter Volunteer, Youth Soccer Coaching and Referee

Jack McNamee | Nevis

School Activities: Class Officer, Knowledge Bowl, Math League, National Honor Society, Student CouncilAthletics: Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Track and Field Fine Arts: Band, ChoirCommunity Service: Boulder Lake Association, Church Volunteer, Community Events Volunteer, School Events Volunteer, Special Olympics Coach for Basketball, Swimming and TrackSpecial Mention: Jack volunteers with Special Olympics coaching track, swimming and basketball. As head coach for the basketball team, Jack emphasizes what athletes will gain from their Special Olympics experience — basketball skills, teamwork and friendship. The team was one of three outstate schools invited to participate in the first Special Olympics Minnesota State High School Unified Basketball Tournament.

Torii Nienow | Staples-Motley

School Activities: Academic Worldquest Competition, Band Tutor, Bell Choir, Knowledge Bowl, Math Tutor, National Speech and Debate Association, Special Olympics, Student Council, Theater, Voice of Democracy Speech Contest Athletics: Softball, Tennis Fine Arts: Band, Choir, One Act Play, Orchestra, Speech Community Service: 4-H, Church Volunteer, Community Theater, Memorial Day Music Volunteer, Public Library Volunteer, Staples Area Women’s Choir, Sunday School Teacher

Jeremy O’Connor | Fillmore Central

School Activities: Class Officer, Future Farmers of America, Knowledge Bowl, National Honor Society, Peer Tutor, Scholar Club, Student Council, Teens Nurturing Teens, Theater, YearbookAthletics: Basketball, Football, Track and Field Fine Arts: Band, Choir Community Service: American Legion Volunteer, Basketball Timekeeper, Church Volunteer, Tutor, Yard Cleanup Volunteer, Youth Basketball and Softball Coach

Georgia-Rae Plathe | St. Paul Central

School Activities: Mock Trial, National Honor Society, Piano Athletics: Hockey, Softball, Volleyball Fine Arts: Visual Arts Community Service: Capital Hill Carnival Volunteer, Hockey Events Volunteer, Kids for the Boundary Waters, Leadership Development Program, YMCA Camp CounselorSpecial Mention: Last summer, Georgia-Rae traveled to Washington, D.C., with Kids for the Boundary Waters to advocate for permanent protection of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota. Having attended camps in the region numerous times throughout her childhood, protecting the wilderness from pollution is important to Georgia-Rae. In Washington, she met with senators and representatives to discuss scientific research and urge their support for this environmental protection effort.

Jack Richards | Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial

School Activities: Academic Decathlon, Economics Challenge, Finance Decathlon, Knowledge Bowl, Minnesota School Boards Association Showcase of Excellence Athletics: Golf, Skiing, Soccer Fine Arts: Band Community Service: Ball Boy, Boy Scouts of America, Camp Counselor in Training, Roadside Cleanup, Usher at Basketball Games

Allison Rients | Waterville-Elysian-Morristown

School Activities: Buccaneer Buddy, Class Officer, Family Career and Community Leaders of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Future Farmers of America, Homecoming Committee, Minnesota Honor Society, Prom Committee, Stem Club, Student Council, Veterans Day Committee, WEMStock Music FestivalAthletics: Basketball, Softball, Volleyball Fine Arts: Speech, Visual ArtsCommunity Service: 4-H, Blood Mobile, Church Volunteer, Community Events Volunteer, Feed My Starving Children, Meals on Wheels, Youth Softball Coach

Eli Schlangen | Two Harbors

School Activities: DECA, FIRST Robotics, National Honor Society, Newfound Harbor Marine Institute Ecology of the Florida Keys, Scott Anderson Leadership Forum, Student Council, World Culture ClubAthletics: Basketball, Football, Golf, Track and Field Fine Arts: Band, ChoirCommunity Service: Community Events Volunteer, Food Shelf Volunteer, Grandma’s Marathon Volunteer, Mentor to Elementary School Students, Mission Trip, Salvation Army Bell Ringer, Youth Basketball and Football Coach and Referee

Landon Schomer | Pierz Healy

School Activities: Business Professionals of America, Improv, Knowledge Bowl, Minnesota Honor Society, Peer Helper, Teacher Aide, TheaterAthletics: Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Track and Field Fine Arts: Band, Choir, Speech Community Service: Adopt A Highway, Camp Lebanon Volunteer, Church Volunteer

Tyler Smith | Central, Norwood-Young America

School Activities: Future Farmers of America, National Honor Society, PEERS Athletics: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country Fine Arts: Band Community Service: 4-H, Church Volunteer, Community Festival Volunteer, Youth Basketball and Cross Country Coach

Hank Stechmann | Edina

School Activities: Asian Food Club, Choir Board, Model United Nations, Student Activity Advisory CouncilAthletics: Hockey, Soccer, Track and FieldFine Arts: ChoirCommunity Service: Church Volunteer and Retreat Leader, Edina Athletic Booster Club, Elementary School Day Camp Volunteer, Mission Trip, Soccer Camp Coach, Vacation Bible School Volunteer

Hadley Stephenson | Orono

School Activities: Administrator’s Advisory Council, Blood Drive, Chinese Club, DECA, Graduation Committee, Homecoming Parade Coordinator, Link Crew, National Honor Society, Prom Committee, Student Senate, Unified Sports Athletics: Football, Golf, Hockey, Soccer Fine Arts: ChoirCommunity Service: Church Volunteer, Letters of Love Board Member, Lund’s Holiday Grocery Bagging Volunteer, MoveFwd Board Member, Salvation Army Bell Ringer, St. Anne’s Family Shelter Volunteer, Youth Hockey VolunteerSpecial Mention: Hadley serves as an executive board member for Letters of Love, a student organization with a goal of spreading joy to children receiving care in hospitals across Minnesota by writing anonymous letters of kindness. Letters of Love’s 500 members gather monthly to create cards, which the board members personally deliver to children in the hospital and their families.

Cade Sundgaard | Apple Valley

School Activities: Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Spanish Club, Student Council Athletics: Wrestling Fine Arts: Band Community Service: Church Event Volunteer, Band Lesson Assistant for Elementary Students, Feed My Starving Children, Homeless Shelter Volunteer, Special Olympics, Wrestling Tournament Volunteer

Sierra Thomson | Mora

School Activities: Dance Committee, Dollars for Scholars, Homecoming Committee, Knowledge Bowl, Math League, Minnesota Honor Society, Spanish Club, Student Council, Theater, Travel ClubAthletics: Basketball, Clay Target, Golf, Tennis Fine Arts: Band, Debate, Speech Community Service: ALS Fundraiser Volunteer, Blood Drive Volunteer, Community Events Volunteer, Feed My Starving Children, Lutheran Youth Organization, Mission Trip, Soul Searchers, Sunday School Teacher

Sophia Tobin | Elk River

School Activities: Math League, National Honor Society, Peer Tutor Athletics: Basketball, Soccer, Track and Field Community Service: Church Praise Team Band and Choir, Community Event Volunteer, Feed My Starving Children, Tutor, Vacation Bible School Group Leader, Youth Athletics Volunteer

Adam Tonsfeldt | Barnesville

School Activities: Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Knowledge Bowl, Math Competition, National Honor Society, PaY - Philanthropy and Youth Athletics: Basketball, Football, Golf Fine Arts: ChoirCommunity Service: Church Youth Group, Community Event Volunteer, Youth Basketball and Football Coach

Jenna Vasek | Fisher

School Activities: Angel Tree Project, CHAMPS (Creating Healthy, Active Motivated, Positive Schools), Class Officer, Future Farmers of America, National Honor Society, Prom Committee, Science Fair, Student Council, TheaterAthletics: Basketball, Softball, VolleyballFine Arts: ChoirCommunity Service: Church Volunteer, Hospital Volunteer, Youth Basketball and Volleyball Volunteer and Referee

Annie Wu | Rochester Mayo

School Activities: Business Professionals of America, French Club, Link Crew, Key Club, Mayo Club Hub, Mayo Honor Society, Mental Health Awareness Club, Southeastern Minnesota Youth Orchestra, Science Olympiad, Student Government, Student School BoardAthletics: SwimmingFine Arts: Orchestra, Speech Community Service: Church Sunday School Teacher and Youth Group Leader, Community Event Volunteer, Humane Society Volunteer, Rochester Young Musicians Ensemble, Tutor at Rochester Public Schools Summer Math AcademySpecial Mention: Annie is an accomplished violinist. A Suzuki Association of Minnesota graduate, she auditioned and was selected as a “Playing with the Pros” soloist with the Rochester Symphony. Annie also performs with the Rochester Young Musicians Ensemble and the Southeastern Minnesota Youth Orchestra.