Lac qui Parle Valley High School has nominated two students for awards sponsored by the Minnesota State High School League. Junior, Brooklynn Olson, has been nominated for the ExCEL (Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership) Award. Senior, Caleigh Conn, has been nominated for the Triple ‘A’ (Academics, Arts, and Athletics) Award.

The ExCEL Award is a unique recognition program designed exclusively for Minnesota high school juniors who are active in school activities, leaders in their schools, and who demonstrate a strong commitment to community service. This award is sponsored by the League's corporate partner TruStone Financial Credit Union. The ExCEL Award recipients are selected through a multi-level process involving member schools of the League and an independent committee of educators from schools throughout Minnesota. Award recipients will be announced via the League website in early February. All ExCEL Award recipients will be invited to participate in an on-court ceremony during the Class AAA championship game of the Girls Basketball State Tournament.

Brooklynn Olson is currently involved in volleyball, basketball, band, and solos/ensembles. She also is extremely involved in the school district and community as a volunteer. Brooklynn participates in National Honor Society, Peer Tutoring/Counseling, Prom Committee, School Yearbook, and Student Council. In addition, she has been on the A - Honor Roll every quarter since she was in 9th grade. In the community, Brooklynn has helped with youth sports for the LQPV communities. She is also very active in her church, St. Michael’s Catholic Church, as she reads, serves, and plays trumpet. Lastly, Brooklynn is involved in Bio Girls and Northstars 4-H.

The Academics, Arts, and Athletics Award, commonly known as the Triple 'A' Award, honors high school seniors throughout the state who have a 3.0 or higher-grade point average and who participate in League-sponsored athletic and fine arts activities. 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 finalists from each region (one boy and one girl) will be 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. Caleigh now enters a pool of talented students from Region 3A for a chance at being named one of Region 3A’s nominees.

Caleigh Conn is involved in volleyball, basketball and softball. In the past, she participated in track & field as well. She also is involved in band, choir, and solos/ensembles. Caleigh has excelled greatly in athletics and fine arts as she has been a captain on her sports teams and has received superior ratings while participating in solos/ensembles for both band and choir. It is also worth noting that Caleigh’s academics have always played a huge importance in her high school career. Throughout all of high school, she has remained on the A - Honor Roll. She plans on attending Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall next year to study Elementary Education. Caleigh also plans on participating in choir at the college level.

“Lac qui Parle Valley High School is very proud to nominate Caleigh Conn and Brooklynn Olson as our ExCEL and Triple ‘A’ Award candidates. These award programs are an excellent opportunity for our students who have excelled during their high school experience to receive region and statewide recognition. Both Caleigh and Brooklynn are very deserving of these awards and recognition,” said Zach Stelter.

For more information about the MSHSL ExCEL and Triple ‘A’ Award, please visit www.mshsl.org.