Whether on a sports field, a gym floor or a stage…no matter in a classroom or out volunteering in their community, juniors Vivian Hilfer and Carter Kern (left) and seniors Maya Lassiter and Blake Lyons (right) have been making the most of their high school years.
For their efforts, Hilfer and Kern are the school’s nominees for the Minnesota High School League’s ExCEL award while Lassiter and Lyons are the nominees for the similar Academics, Arts, and Athletics (Triple ‘A’) Award.
It is the first time in the school’s history that ExCEL nominees (Lassiter and Lyons) went on a year later to be nominated for the AAA award.
Activities director Rich Kern (left) recognized the quartet during halftime of the boys basketball game on Monday.
Hilfer dances competitively at Dance Express. She is the Student Council Secretary, the National Honor Society Secretary. She is a member of SADD, the yearbook staff, FCA and FFA. She plays keyboards in Holiday Jazz, jazz band, and concert band.
The person who influenced her the most is her dad, Paul Hilfer.
“He has sacrificed so much for me and my family, and I try every day to pay it forward. I do the best I absolutely can in school and all my activities so I will be able to someday do for my family like he does for mine. He has taught me how to be a good person and that if you work hard now, it will pay off later: to trust in the plan.”
Kern is the Student Council president. He is a member of FFA, SADD, the yearbook staff, concert band, jazz band and the National Honor Society. He is a student representative for the School Board. He participates in trap shooting and plans on competing in track & field for the first time this spring. He also helps out at the scorer’s table during basketball games and is a whiz on the running the scoreboard.
The person who influenced him the most is his mom, Becky (O’Connor) Kern.
“She is such a great person to talk with about anything. She is so caring and is always there to comfort me.”
Lassiter is President of the Student Council, a member of the National Honor Society, jazz band, Holiday Jazz, concert band, boys hockey manager and competes in golf and volleyball. Outside of school, she volunteers at Hosanna Lutheran Church as a Family Life Leader. She is also involved in the Aviation Club at MSU,M.
Her parents, Andi and Scott Lassiter, have influenced her the most.
“They support me in any way they can. They have also encouraged me to take advantage of the opportunities I'm given and have taught me to always work hard.”
After graduation, she plans to major in Aviation at Minnesota State University, Mankato or the University of Central Missouri.
Lyons participates in pep band, concert band, jazz band, football, basketball and baseball and is member of the National Honor Society.
A person he looks up to and as influenced him is social studies teacher Dave Cink.
“He is a very good role model and leaves a positive effect on everybody around him. Also, he knows a lot about and likes sports a lot.”
Next fall, Lyons plans on attending Minnesota State University, Mankato and major in Construction Management.
Award info
To be eligible for the Academics, Arts, and Athletics Award, a student must be a senior at the time of nomination. Nominations are limited to two qualifying students per school, one male and one female. They need a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at the date of nomination, must participate in at least League-sponsored athletics activity and one League fine arts activity and comply with the MSHSL Student Code of Conduct. The award was established in 1988.
Triple ‘A’ Award recipients are selected through a multi-level process involving member schools of the League, the League’s administrative regions, and a special committee of educators, business leaders, and members from the fine arts and athletic communities.
Two award finishers from each region (one boy and one girl) are invited to a recognition banquet in March, and League officials will announce the four statewide Triple ‘A’ Award winners at that time.
All 32 finalists will also participate in an on-court ceremony during the Class AAA championship game of the Boys Basketball State Tournament. The statewide award winners—a girl and a boy from Class A and Class AA schools—will also receive a four-year $1,000 scholarship.
To be eligible for the ExCEL award, a student must be a junior making satisfactory process toward graduation, participate in MSHSL fine arts and/or athletic activities, hold a leadership passion in their school and volunteer in their community.
The approximately 40 ExCEL award winners will be announced on the MSHSL website on February 4 and will be recognized in an on-court award ceremony during the Class AA championship game of the Girls Basketball State Tournament in March,