2024 Triple 'A' Award Winners Announced
Posted: Saturday, March 23, 2024 - 1:29 PM
Four Minnesota high school students have been selected as the 2024 Triple ‘A’ Award state scholarship recipients.
Established in 1988, the award, popularly known as the Triple ‘A’ Award, recognizes high school seniors from across Minnesota for their achievements in academics, the arts/activities and athletics. To qualify, students must have a 3.0 grade-point average or better and participate in League-sponsored athletic and arts/activities programs. League member schools are invited to nominate one boy and one girl for the award. Award recipients are selected through a multi-level process involving the League’s administrative regions and a committee of educational, athletic, and arts/activities leaders.
The 2024 Triple ‘A’ Award state scholarship recipients are Paul Fasen, Monticello; Madeline Ngo, Simley; Teagan Stark, Minnewaska Area; and Caiden Swenby, Fertile-Beltrami. Each student will receive a $4,000 scholarship.
“We are proud to recognize, honor and celebrate these well-rounded students,” said Charlie Campbell, the League Associate Director who oversees the Triple ‘A’ program. “They have demonstrated excellence and achievement in academics, the arts/activities and athletics and are leaders in their schools and communities.”
Since its inception 1988, nearly than 17,000 students have represented their school in the Triple ‘A’ Program.
Teagan Stark | Region 6A
Minnewaska Area High School
Grade-point average: 4.063
Activities: Band, choir, cross country, dance team, track and field.
Teagan is already on her way to becoming a nurse. She enrolled in the Certified Nursing Assistant Program to gain experience, works at a local nursing home, and has taken 13 college-level classes while attending Minnewaska Area High School. In both Band and Choir, Teagan earned “Superior” ratings for solo, duet and group performances. She’s even performed at Disney World! She’s a Student Council member, a National Honor Society member, and a Senior Class officer. Teagan volunteers for many community events through an organization called Glenwood and Beyond –helping to bring a Splash Pad to the local park. Teagan leads the Track and Field team and the Cross Country team, for which she was recognized as “Best Teammate” this year. She is a multiple-time All-Conference and State participant in athletics. Her High School Counselor says Teagan is “seen as a leader and role model.”
Quote: “The various involvements that I have shared my time with, have helped shape me into the person I am now. These experiences have created personal growth and a capable individual who will face challenges and opportunities ahead.”
College plans: To pursue a 4-year nursing degree at Gustavus Adolphus College or Winona State College and participate in track and field.
Caiden Swenby | Region 8A
Fertile-Beltrami High School
Grade-point average: 3.978
Activities: Band, choir, football, basketball, golf.
Caiden pushes himself to excel in everything he does, says his teacher and coach at Fertile Beltrami High School. Caiden has earned 33 college credits and is Vice President of the school’s National Honor Society. As a sophomore, Caiden’s choir was recognized by the American Choral Directors Association. He plays trumpet in the band, and Caiden is on the board, deciding what areas the band needs to improve. Caiden broke two conference records in football—he’s the Captain—and was assigned to the All-State Nine-Player team. His team has been among the top three in the state for the past three years. As Captain of the basketball team, he won conference MVP and hit the 1000-point mark. Caiden will play basketball for the University of Minnesota-Crookston next year. He also played in his school’s first-ever Golf team state championship—he’s the Team Captain.
Quote: “I wish everyone would shoot for excellence no matter what it is for...My involvement in academics has taught me that you need to be efficient when you work, and it has advanced my time management skills...”
College plans: To pursue a degree in exercise science at the University of Minnesota-Crookston and play men’s basketball.
Madeline Ngo | Region 3AA
Simley High School
Grade-point average: 3.995
Activities: Band, swimming and diving, Nordic skiing, track and field.
Madeline is an active member of the National Honor Society at Simley High School. She is an avid swimmer, was captain of the swim and dive team this year, and earned several All-Conference honors. She placed 11th at the Swimming and Diving State Meet as a junior. Madeline plays the clarinet “at a very high level,” according to a former Band Director, and she’s part of chamber groups, wind ensembles and many honor bands. She earned “Superior” ratings for her performances and a spot with the Minnesota Music Educators Association’s All-State Band. Madeline says she’s learned that music is about “communication, cooperation and creativity” and that her experience has helped her grow as an individual. Music Department Chair Kevin Robinson says he’s a huge Madeline Ngo supporter because she’s one of the “most kind, dedicated and thoughtful students he’s ever taught.”
Quote: “Having the opportunity to be a captain of the swim and dive team has taught me that leadership is not just about telling others what to do or being in charge. It is about encouraging others, influencing them to give their all and guiding them to success.”
College plans: To pursue a degree in electrical engineering at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and participate in band.
Paul Fasen | Region 8AA
Monticello High School
Grade-point average: 4.0
Band, choir, cross country, swimming and diving, track and field.
“An exemplary student, a dedicated friend and a selfless leader…that’s how Paul is described by the Choir and Theatrical Director at Monticello High School. Paul took 10 college-in-school classes and is a member of the National Honor Society and Student Council. Paul sings solos in choir - a talent that perfectly suited him for musical productions throughout high school. In this year’s “Beauty and the Beast” production, he played "the Beast." Paul is a competitive athlete –and has earned All-Conference and All-State honors over multiple years in -Cross Country, Swimming and Diving, and Track and Field. He’s been on the Swim Team the longest and has gone to the State Meet every year since eighth grade. Paul has been Swim Team Captain for the past two years and Cross Country Team Captain this year.
Quote: “As a senior, I hope to show the underclassmen the true meaning of servant leadership in my activities. This leadership is one without a title; it is the example I set for my younger peers to follow.”
College plans: To study pre-law with a focus on human rights at the University of Chicago and participate in swimming and choir.
2024 Academics, Arts, and Athletics Award finalists:
Class A
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Region 1A William Van Epps, Kenyon-Wanamingo and Ella Matzke, Lake City
Region 2A Joseph Frundt, Blue Earth Area and Katelin Flack, Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial
Region 3A Blake Stephens, Redwood Valley and Naomi Wallace, Pipestone Area
Region 4A Justin Kroeze, Avail Academy and Lucy Askegaard, Minnehaha Academy
Region 5A Morgan Bellefeuille, Swanville and Britney Schommer, Pierz
Region 6A Zachary Baumgartner, Bertha-Hewitt and Teagan Stark, Minnewaska Area
Region 7A Quinn FierkeLepp, South Ridge and Faith Zganjar, Cherry
Region 8A Caiden Swenby, Fertile-Beltrami and Kaydence Augustine, Marshall County Central
Class AA
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Region 1AA Noah Quigley, Hastings and Marin Keller, Winona
Region 2AA Kaleb Kim, Mankato East and Makayla Haugen, Jordan
Region 3AA Jack Kruger, Eagan and Madeline Ngo, Simley
Region 4AA Ataa-Adjetey Mensah, Roseville Area and Pria Stauning, St. Paul Central
Region 5AA Michael James, Osseo and Corynn Harvieux, Centennial
Region 6AA Nikhill Andrew, Eden Prairie and Madeline Kaufman, Eden Prairie
Region 7AA Graham Anderson, Princeton and Rowan Bixler, Duluth East
Region 8AA Paul Fasen, Monticello and Jaelyn Miller, Alexandria Area
