2025 Triple 'A' Award Winners Announced
Posted: Saturday, March 22, 2025 - 12:00 PM
Four Minnesota high school students have been selected as the 2025 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 2025 Triple ‘A’ Award state scholarship recipients are Keagen Lowman, Cambridge-Isanti; Annika Pulju, Sebeka; Lulu Semakula, Irondale and Trevor Smith, Tracy-Milroy-Balaton. 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, over 17,000 students have represented their school in the Triple ‘A’ Program.
Trevor Smith | Region 3A
Tracy-Milroy-Balaton High School
Grade-point average: 4.051
Activities: Band, choir, football, basketball, baseball, clay target
Trevor plays Football for Tracy-Milroy-Balaton and got the “ultimate compliment” this year from coaches on the opposing teams. They said they’re glad he’s graduating – he was one of the toughest quarterbacks they ever had to play against. He was named the Team’s Sub-District M-V-P the past two year as well as the Most Valuable Offensive Back. He was also chosen for the 2024 Minnesota Vikings All-State Football Team. Trevor was the first Sophomore in school history to be voted in as Captain of the football team. He’s also leads the Basketball team and broke a school record for most points scored in a game. He’s a member of the National Honor Society and has received the very prestigious honor President’s Education Outstanding Academic Excellence Award, given through the U.S. Department of Education.
Quote: “In everything I do I take two things with me every time—and that is my effort and attitude. Whether I am studying, taking an exam or getting ready for a sporting event…That is why I always stay positive and keep encouraging others to do their best.”
College plans: To pursue a degree in Agronomy and Precision Agriculture at South Dakota State University and participate in football.
Annika Pulju | Region 6A
Sebeka High School
Grade-point average: 4.0
Activities: Band, choir, One Act Play, speech, volleyball, cross country, basketball, golf, softball
Annika has kept up a 4.0 GPA throughout high school. She’s on the Knowledge Bowl Team, Student Council and is a member of the National Honor Society. Annika is heavily involved in the arts – she plays the saxophone in Jazz Band, Pep Band and the Marching Band. She also participates in One Act Play and has earned multiple Superior ratings in Choir. Annika is a sports leader - she has served as captain of the volleyball team and basketball team since her junior year, and this year was also the golf team captain. Her volleyball team was named All-Conference and participated in the State Tournament this year. Annika has taken the time to connect with younger kids—she volunteers often to help with elementary volleyball and basketball practices.
Quote: “I think participation in the arts has helped me value hard work, just as athletics has. To excel, you have to work hard, listen to your coach, and practice all you can.”
College plans: To pursue a business degree at Valley City State University in Valley City, North Dakota and participate in volleyball.
Lulu Semakula | Region 5AA
Irondale High School
Grade-point average: 4.02
Activities: Orchestra, speech, robotics, swimming and diving, gymnastics, track and field
Lulu excels in academics, taking AP and college-level classes—STEM classes are her favorite. She plays the violin for the Chamber Orchestra, and volunteers to perform in local nursing homes. She’s found the experience has helped her “connect with others in meaningful ways.” Lulu has served as team captain in all three of her sports. She joined the Swim and Dive team in seventh grade and went on to break school records. She's been named All-Conference, competed in the State Tournament and earned All-State awards. Lulu says through sports, she “learned the importance of communication, determination and time management.”
Finally, Lulu made her biggest contribution to the school - she helped establish Irondale’s first ever Black Student Union.
Quote: “Through sports, I grew to learn that determination, communication, integrity, and resilience are traits that align with success. As I took on more leadership roles in both my school and church community, these traits positively contributed to my growth as a leader.”
College plans: To major in aerospace engineering and minor in cyber sciences at the U.S. Air Force Academy and participate in swimming and diving and Women’s Acapella singing group.
Keagen Lowman | Region 7AA
Cambridge-Isanti High School
Grade-point average: 4.37
Band, choir, cross country, basketball, tennis
One of his coaches says Keagen has a “profound” ability to inspire and motivate others, creating “an environment where everyone feels valued” in sports and in the classroom. Keagen says the arts are important to him – he sings baritone in the top choir and plays French horn in the top band at his school. He is ready for college next year having completed 14 concurrent college courses. He’s a member of the National Honor Society and a leader in Link Crew, which mentors incoming freshmen. To top it off, Keagen is the Section Doubles Champion in Tennis, qualified for the State Tournament his junior year, and holds the record for the most Varsity wins in the program’s history. He serves as the team captain and his team was the 2024 Conference Champion.
True to form, Keagen gives back to the community by volunteering to coach at tennis camps and string tennis racquets.
Quote: “I started developing deeper connections with a wider variety of people as I realized we were all working toward the same goal together…I will continue to give back by developing communities of connections for all.”
College plans: Undecided but plans to continue playing tennis and piano.
2025 Academics, Arts, and Athletics Award finalists:
Class A
- Region 1A Bo Zwiener, Blooming Prairie and Elizabeth Winkels, Zumbrota-Mazeppa
Region 2A Wyatt Birr, Maple River and Rachel Johnson, Belle Plaine
Region 3A Trevor Smith, Tracy-Milroy-Balaton and Natalie Wahl, Westbrook-Walnut Grove
Region 4A Makai Hanson Bates, Minnehaha Academy and Sydney Foss, Southwest Christian
Region 5A Logan Schad, Melrose Area and Alexa Anderson, Milaca
Region 6A Charles Hanson, Morris Area and Annika Pulju, Sebeka
Region 7A Sawyer FierkeLepp, South Ridge and Aimeelee Grotberg, Cherry
Region 8A Gregory Downs, Sacred Heart School and Morgan Turn, Kittson Central
Class AA
- Region 1AA Dominic Cunico, Byron and Delaney Awe, Kasson-Mantorville
Region 2AA Colin Hokanson, Shakopee and Ava Joos, Chanhassen
Region 3AA Gavin Stauffer, Park and Brooke Marquardt, Prior Lake
Region 4AA Jonah Sadowski, St. Paul Highland Park and Anne Benjamin, East Ridge
Region 5AA Jacob Wrbanek, Maple Grove and Lulu Semakula, Irondale
Region 6AA Bruce Lowmanstone, Hopkins and Kaylee Idrogo-Lam, Edina
Region 7AA Keagen Lowman, Cambridge-Isanti and Norah Hushagen, Forest Lake
Region 8AA Daniel Jackson, Alexandria Area and Ericah Folden, Brainerd
