We Are the League Feature Series: Meet Jeanna Lilleberg

Editor's Note: Welcome to We Are the League, a feature series that recognizes the work, dedication and enthusiasm of individuals who are essential in making opportunities within the Minnesota State High School League a truly great experience for all. During this series, you will meet an incredible array of individuals, including student-participants, who will share their journeys through education-based activities. The League hopes you enjoy this recognition series.

My high school journey

• High school was a ways back for me, but my experiences during that time definitively helped shape me into the person I am today. I attended a small high school in Iowa where everyone had to participate to field a team. I was involved in band, choir, drama, visual arts (especially photography, pottery, and calligraphy), yearbook staff, student body government, library/teacher’s aide, volleyball, basketball, track and field, softball, 4-H, and youth group. I was small, graduating at 5 feet, 2 inches so volleyball and track and field were my favorites. In track and field, I was a long-distance runner and threw both the shot put and discus. Points mattered for my team! My sophomore year, I separated the growth plate in my hip early in the season and had to find ways to not only rehab that injury, but still contribute to the team. So, I took on mentoring younger runners. As I moved into college, I played intramural volleyball and broomball, served on Government of the Student Body, co-directed The Fashion Show, costumed productions for the M-Shop, and worked in the university’s post offices. I think my takeaway from being involved in all those things for all those years was juggling multiple activities, overcoming obstacles, and fitness for life. To this day, I continue to play volleyball in a summer sandpit league and winter open gym. Now as a parent, grandparent, an employee, a school board member, a League Board of Director, a community volunteer, a life-long learner, or a missionary, I look for the opportunities that will help me grow personally and invest my time and talents in the education-based activities that will develop the next generation of parents, community members, and employees.   

Favorite high school memories

• One of my favorite high school memories was being the underdog in track. So many of my opponents would look at this little girl and write me off. My running strategy was to start in the back of the pack and pick them off one by one. It gave me something to do mentally during the race. I used to have a really strong finishing kick! For a time, I held the school record in the 3,000-meter run and was nine seconds from qualifying for the state meet as a freshman. Another favorite memory was training the younger long-distance runners and watching them beat my times. I think I got more satisfaction out of it than they did. As a parent, I loved watching my “kids” (biological or otherwise) grow through the education-based activities they participated in or overcome adversity they sometimes encountered in their activities whether it was a broken or sprained ankle, an unpleasant coaching encounter, or learning a difficult routine or song. As a League Board Member, I think my favorite memory so far is the creation of the Emerging Sports pathway and watching Boys Volleyball become a League-sanctioned activity. The trip to Boston for the National Federation of High School Association Summer Meeting was pretty cool, too. I was excited to share that with my daughters and husband. The speakers were top-tier!

Why I enjoy being involved with high school activities

• I am fed by watching others succeed. Helping create leadership and growth opportunities gets me out of bed in the morning. I love helping kids find their voice and passions. Watching “our kids” grow through education-based activities provided by the League and others gives me hope in the future of our society.