On a football field or volleyball court…playing a saxophone or bass drum…balancing the books of the student government or helping at a community blood drive.
Cleveland High School juniors Lilly Draheim and Jacob Rohlfing and seniors Emily Kern and Jacob Anderley have kept busy their high school years.
For their hard work in and out of the classroom, Draheim and Rohlfing were nominated for the League’s the Minnesota State High School League’s Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership (ExCEL) award while Kern and Anderley were nominated for the Academics, Arts, and Athletics (Triple “A”) award.
Draheim is treasurer in both FFA and Student Council. She is a member of the National Honor Society. She is also a member of SADD, the yearbook staff, the Drama Club. She plays saxophone in Jazz Band, Concert Band, Pep Band and the Holiday Band. She is also a member of TAP and the president of her 4H club. She competes in tennis and Knowledge Bowl.
She said her favorite subject is math.
"I enjoy solving problems and like working with numbers."
Her most important mentors have been her parents.
“They always put all their effort into everything they do,” she said.
Rohlfing participates in Concert Band, Jazz Band, Holiday Band, Pep Band, Student Council, Knowledge Bowl, Yearbook, Drama, Boy Scouts and is currently applying for NHS.
His favorite subject is also math.
“After you learn the process, it’s fairly simple.”
His most important mentor has been his mother.
“She is strong, smart and free thinking and taught me to be the same,” he said.
Rohlfing aspires to influence his underclassman to promote friendship.
“I want to be an example that shows people should disregard looks and presumptions and try to be nice to the people around them.”
Kern has participated in volleyball, basketball and softball since she was in elementary and plays JO volleyball for Southern Extreme. She was a captain in volleyball and basketball her junior and senior year. She plays saxophone in the Jazz, Concert and Pep Bands. She volunteers with many volleyball and basketball games for Community Ed and helps with other school activities such as Halloween parties and Easter egg hunts.
Her favorite subject is science.
“I love learning about the earth and am interested in animals and other living organisms.”
Her most important mentors have been her parents.
“They have always been there for me and have supported me with everything throughout my life.”
Kern plans to attend Minnesota State University, Mankato and play volleyball there as well.
She would like to be an example of fortitude.
“Even when things get hard, never give up, and don’t take any moment for granted because time goes by faster than you think it will.”
Anderley participated in football and will be on the trap team this spring. He is a percussionist in the bands.
His favorite subjects are personal finance and math.
“Although personal finance one of the shortest classes, I felt it was the most beneficial out of any other class I have taken and is very logical, so it is a lot easier to learn and follow. Math is also another class that is used every day, and it has proper formulas to solve problems rather than having multiple answers like some subjects.”
He hasn’t had a specific mentor.
“I always try to get the most out of anyone that tries to help me and apply what I learn to my life. I find it hard to have only one important mentor because they can't possibly know everything.”
After he graduates, he plans to move to North Carolina and attend college at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington where he will pursue a major in business.
While he doesn’t have a goal to leave a mark on CHS, Anderley always wants to be a good role model.
“I always try to do the best I can to set an example for students. I think most young students aspire to be what the older kids are and watch and learn from us more than most of us think.”
To be eligible for the ExCEL Award, students must be a junior, make satisfactory progress toward graduation requirements, participate in a State High School League-sponsored fine arts and/or athletic activity, hold a leadership position in their school, and work voluntarily in their community as well as meet MSHSL general eligibility requirements. This is the 24th year that the Minnesota State High School League has sponsored the ExCEL Award.
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 League-sponsored athletics and fine arts activities and comply with the MSHSL Student Code of Conduct. The award was established in 1988.