NDHSAA/Farmer's Union Insurance Distinguished Students

2019/20 NDHSAA/Farmers Union Insurance Distinguished Student: Cassandra Rostvet, Northwood High School
Runner-up: Macy Jordheim, Thompson High School
2019-2020 North Dakota High School Activities Association and Farmers Union Insurance Distinguished Student Finalists. Second Row (Left to Right): Lauren McLean, Minot High School; Philip Dowdell, Fargo North High School; Macy Jordheim, Thompson High School. First Row (Left to Right): Addison Hoornaert, Carrington High School; Cassandra Rostvet, Northwood High School; Emily Dinius, New England High School.

Past Distinguished Student Recipients

2019/20 NDHSAA/Farmers' Union Distinguished Student

VALLEY CITY, N.D. – Cassandra Rostvet, a junior at Northwood High School was named the 2019-2020 North Dakota High School Activities Association and Farmers Union Insurance Distinguished Student. Interviews were held for the finalists at Valley City State University on Wednesday, May 1.

Macy Jordheim of Thompson High School was chosen runner up.

The other finalists interviewed were:
Emily Dinius, New England High School
Philip Dowdell, Fargo North High School
Lauren McLean, Minot High School
Addison Hoornaert, Carrington High School

The six finalists were selected from applications sent in by high school principals from across the state.

The NDHSAA Distinguished Student program was developed to recognize deserving young people who are the “backbone” of interscholastic activities, not necessarily the leader, but the individual whose participation in high school activities strengthens the program for participants, the school and the community. Applicants are students entering their senior year. The student must be a participant as a player, manager, statistician or other role in at least one NDHSAA sponsored activity. The student must be a good citizen and role model to his/her peers as well as a contributor to his/her school and community.

The NDHSAA Distinguished Student recipient receives a medallion and a Farmers Union Insurance sponsored $2,000 scholarship to the college of his/her choice. He/she is invited to be the Grand Marshall of the NDHSAA “Parade of Champions” as well as participating in other activities such as serving as the NDHSAA spokesperson for High School Activities Month, promoting the values of activity programs and participating in awarding of trophies at major NDHSAA state contests. The runner-up will receive a medallion and a $1,000 scholarship. The other four finalists receive a medallion, a $500 scholarship to the college of his/her choice, publication in the Bulletin and other recognition in connection with NDHSAA events.

The following students were honored as their school’s 2019-2020 Distinguished Student and submitted applications to the NDHSAA for consideration as the NDHSAA/Farmers Union Distinguished Student.

Maren Berntson - Kulm
Evan Friesz - Grant County
Camille Klindworth - Beulah
Emily Dinius - New England
Milah Kibbel - Underwood
Alyssa Andress - Hettinger
Rachel Bosserman - Beach
Caleb Hauck - Ellendale
Ellie Holen - LaMoure
Raegen Hartman - Edgeley
Allysen Mathias - Valley City
Kameron Selvig - Jamestown
Claire Wagner - Oakes
Brooke Christensen - Enderlin
Megan Moser - Medina
Addison Hoornaert - Carrington
Garrett Jangula - Napoleon
Coy Spooner - Des Lacs-Burlington
Gavin Dorsey - Grand Forks Red River
Kinsey Pernat - Larimore
Olivia Reiser - North Star
Laura Paulsrud - Hillsboro
Kaitlin Ensign - Central Valley
Jackson Rexine - May-Port CG
Cassandra Rostvet - Northwood
Logan Dusek - Grafton
Connor Jensen - Northern Cass
Maria Leonard - Rolette
Abby Bertsch - Rolla
Jenna Beaver - Bottineau
Kali Bjornson - Devils Lake
Rebecca Sauvageau - Midway
Raquel Elise Bata - Langdon Area
Brynn Kroke - Dakota Prairie
Lauren McLean - Minot
Evan Halvorson - Lakota
Sydney Porter - Park River Area
Coralie Schwartzwalter - Kindred
Ema Lee - Central Cass
Philip Dowdell - Fargo North
Tyler Terhark - West Fargo Sheyenne
Alan Anderson - Fargo South
Anna Wallock - Hankinson
Erica Plummer - Wahpeton
Nathan Holzwarth - New Rockford Sheyenne
Macy Jordheim - Thompson
Catherine Schlosser - Bismarck St. Mary’s
Emmy Dockter - Drake-Anamoose
Melody Johnson - Rugby
Adam Punton - Maple Valley
Charlee Krieg - Cavalier
Jessica Kuchera - Wyndmere

Nominations: NDHSAA/Farmers' Union Insurance Distinguished Student Information packets are mailed to NDHSAA Member School Principals in January.  Each principal is encouraged to nominate a Distinguished Student in their school and submit their application to NDHSAA by April 1st for consideration in becoming a NDHSAA/Farmers Union Insurance Distinguished Student the following year.

Objectives & Goals: To recognize deserving young people who are the ”backbone” of interscholastic activities, not necessarily the leader, but the individual whose participation in high school activities strengthens the program for participants, the school and the community.

Criteria: Applicant must be a junior the year the application is submitted. Student must be a participant as a player, manager, statistician or other role in at least one NDHSAA sponsored activity in the current year. Note: Participation does not necessarily mean excellence, honors or even active play. Student must be a good citizen and role model to his/her peers as well as a contributor to the community. The committee will evaluate applicants’ essays on their demonstration of sportsmanship and citizenship and how the applicant feels these values derived from activities will provide them lifelong benefits.

Selection Process: One applicant per school is allowed. A pre-screening committee will narrow the applicants to six semi-finalists. The final selection will be based upon an interview conducted by a Selection Committee. Immediately following the interviews, the results will be announced at an NDHSAA sponsored luncheon for semi-finalists and their families.

Deadlines: Completed application forms must be postmarked no later than April 1. Applications postmarked after April 1 will not be considered. Semi-finalists will be notified by mid-April. Interviews and the luncheon announcing the results will be held the first part of May.

Awards: All applicants of the NDHSAA Distinguished Student Program will receive a certificate suitable for framing. A press release naming all applicants will be sent statewide. Semi-finalists will receive a medallion, a Distinguished Student polo shirt and will be featured in the September issue of the NDHSAA publication, the Bulletin. They will also be invited to participate in other functions connected with NDHSAA events. US Bank has graciously funded scholarships for the finalists. The NDHSAA Distinguished Student recipient will receive a gold medallion and a $2,000 scholarship to the college of his/her choice. The runner-up will receive a silver medallion and a $1,000 scholarship. The other four semi-finalists will receive a silver medallion and a $500 scholarship to the college of his/her choice. The Distinguished Student will be invited to be the Grand Marshall of the NDHSAA Parade of Champions and, along with the other semi-finalists, participate in other activities such as serving as the NDHSAA spokesperson for High School Activities Week, promoting the values of activity programs and participating in awarding of trophies at NDHSAA state contests. (Expenses for the finalists will be paid by the NDHSAA for such assignments.)

Past Distinguished Student Recipients

NDHSAA/Farmers' Union Insurance Distinguished Student Information and Application