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NDHSAA/Farmers Union Insurance Distinguished Students

2024/25 NDHSAA/Farmers Union Distinguished Students

JAMESTOWN, N.D. – Zack Volson, a junior at Drake-Anamoose High School was named the 2024-2025 North Dakota High School Activities Association and Farmers Union Insurance Distinguished Student. Interviews were held Wednesday, May 1 at Farmers Union Insurance Headquarters in Jamestown.

Martin Bergstedt, of Enderlin High School was chosen runner up. The other finalists interviewed were:

Laela Jensen, Hettinger High School
Brooklyn Hager, Rugby High School
Scout Woods, Wahpeton High School
Sadie Aamodt, Larimore 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. The NDHSAA Distinguished Student recipient will also participate 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 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 NDHSAA Bulletin and other recognition in connection with NDHSAA events. All finalists will be featured in the NDHSAA’s “Parade of Champions” Productions shown on statewide television in March.

The following students were honored as their school’s 2024-2025 Distinguished Student and submitted applications to the NDHSAA for consideration as the NDHSAA/Farmers Union Distinguished Student:

Paige Delaney, Alexander
Eva Selensky, Bismarck St. Mary's
Tukker Fedje, Bottineau
Ann Crosby, Bowbells
Kennedy Senn, Bowman County
Braden Klein, Central Cass
Grace Bock, Des Lacs Burlington
Zack Volson, Drake Anamoose
Elysa McAvoy, Dickinson Trinity
Natalee Syversen, Edgeley
Martin Bergstedt, Enderlin
Aniston Gigstad, Fargo Davies
Carrie Osier, Fargo North
Amelia Hawley, Fargo South
Jayda Remboldt, Glen Ullin
Aubrey Tompkins, Grafton
Lauren Reardon, Grand Forks Central
Bryn Larson, Grand Forks Red River
Colten Walker, Griggs County
Skyler Foertsch, Hankinson
Hannah Scholand, Hatton
Payton Weisz, Hazen
Laela Jensen, Hettinger
Anne Stroklund, Kenmare
Emily Larson, Lakota
Brooklyn Braun, LaMoure
Sadie Aamodt, Larimore
Kaden Nelsen, Leeds
Lincoln Adair, Lisbon
Parker Strand, May-Port CG
Elle Brueckner, Midway
Jada Schwartzenberger, Napoleon
Jorie Ahlberg, North Star
Alora Berke, Northwood
Brianna Schmitz, Oakes
Andrew Zikmund, Park River Area
Madison Samuelson, Rolla
Brooklyn Hager, Rugby
Emma Hamilton, Stanley
Tristy Kreil, Trenton
Gracelyn Vaagene, Underwood
Scout Woods, Wahpeton
Evangeline Sappington, West Fargo Horace
Sullivan Ihry, West Fargo Sheyenne
William Artz, Westhope
McKinnlee Haberman, Wyndmere
Elayna Meier, Zeeland

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 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 $2,000 scholarship to the college of his/her choice. The runner-up will receive a $1,000 scholarship. The other four semi-finalists will receive 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.)

2024-25 NDHSAA/Farmers Union Insurance Distinguished Students

2023-24 NDHSAA/Farmers Union Insurance Distinguished Students

2022-23 NDHSAA/Farmers Union Insurance Distinguished Students

2021-22 NDHSAA/Farmers Union Insurance Distinguished Students

2020-21 NDHSAA/Farmers Union Insurance Distinguished Students

2019-20 NDHSAA/Farmers Union Insurance Distinguished Students

2018-19 NDHSAA/Farmers Union Insurance DIstinguished Students

2017-18 NDHSAA/Farmers Union Insurance DIstinguished Students

2016-17 NDHSAA/Farmers Union Insurance Distinguished Students

2015-16 NDHSAA/Farmers Union Insurance Distinguished Students

2013-14 NDHSAA/Farmers Union Insurance Distinguished Students

2012-13 NDHSAA/Farmers Union Insurance Distinguished Students