NDHSAA/Farmers Union Insurance Distinguished Students (2021-22)

VALLEY CITY, N.D. – Sloane McCray, a junior at Hazen High School was named the 2021-2022 North Dakota High School Activities Association and Farmers Union Insurance Distinguished Student. Interviews were held April 28 at Valley City State University.

Marit Ellingson of Dakota Prairie High School was chosen runner up.

The other finalists interviewed were:

Brooke Anderson, Rugby High School
Mason Lemer, Drake-Anamoose High School
Jacob DeVries, Wahpeton High School
Skylar Uglem, Northwood 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 Farmers Union Insurance sponsored $2,000 scholarship to the college of his/her choice. He/she is invited to be the Grand Marshal 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 $1,000 scholarship of his/her choice, publication in the Bulletin and other recognition in connection with NDHSAA events. The other four finalists receive 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 2021-2022 Distinguished Student and submitted applications to the NDHSAA for consideration as the NDHSAA/Farmers Union Distinguished Student:

Josh Will, Bishop Ryan
Rachel Bleth, Bismarck St. Mary's
Kaleb Wintermute, Bottineau
Jacob Rexin, Carrington
Trevor Hinkle, Cavalier
Aidan Sears, Central Cass
Marit Ellingson, Dakota Prairie
Jack Schaefer, Des Lacs-Burlington
Bridgette Harkness, Devils Lake
Brooklyn Berger, Dickinson Trinity
Mason Lemer, Drake-Anamoose
Keyahna Musland, Edgeley
Gustave Hulbert, Enderlin
Hailey Bjerke, Fargo Davies
Daniel Boutain, Fargo North
Anna Bernhardt, Fargo Shanley
Katherine Iverson, Fargo South
Jace Friesz, Flasher
Alejandro Balderas, Grafton
Dongyu Jin, Grand Forks Central
Campbell Dorsey, GF Red River
Halle Rivinius, Grant County
Jaxon Gronneberg, Griggs County
Kya Mauch, Hankinson
Paige Handly, Hatton
Sloane McCray, Hazen
Sophia Oster, Kidder County
Faith Norby, Killdeer
Emily Kinzler, Kulm
Jack Steffan, Lakota
Makayla Jones, LaMoure
JayCee Richter, Linton
Sheyenne Waletzko, Lisbon
Alexis Morowski, May-Port CG
Kinsey Kaylor, Minot High
Elizabeth Nice, Minto
Emily Morman, New Salem-Almont
Danielle Hagler, North Star
Skylar Uglem, Northwood
Jonah Zikmund, Park River Area
Sierra Heinz, Rolette
Brooke Anderson, Rugby
Kennady Walth, Shiloh Christian
Lelani Privatsk, South Heart
Jordan Senger, Thompson
Jacob DeVries, Wahpeton
Blake Bernhardt, Wing
Anna Braun, Wyndmere

Past Distinguished Student Recipients