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NDHSAA/Farmers Union Insurance Distinguished Students

2025/26 NDHSAA/Farmers Union Distinguished Students

NDHSAA NEWS RELEASE – Monday, April 14

VALLEY CITY, N.D. – The North Dakota High School Activities Association and Farmers Union Insurance are proud to announce the finalists for the 2025-2026 Distinguished Student Award.

The six interviewing for the NDHSAA/Farmers Union Insurance Distinguished Student Award are:

Finnegan Kielty, Fargo North High School
Brynn Hanson, Des Lacs-Burlington High School
Bryce Larson, Kidder County High School
Elizabeth Pinke, Northwood High School
Ava Peterson, New Rockford-Sheyenne High School
Aubrey Middlestead, Ellendale High School

These students have been selected from an outstanding group of juniors from across the state. These six finalists will be interviewed in Jamestown on Wednesday, April 30. The final results will be announced in a news release on www.ndhsaanow.com after all of the interviews have concluded on April 30.

A full list of students who submitted applications as their school’s 2025-26 Distinguished Student can be found at https://ndhsaa.com/awards/distinguished-students

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 serves as the NDHSAA spokesperson for High School Activities Month, promotes the values of activity programs and participates in the awarding of trophies at NDHSAA state contests throughout the school year. The runner-up will receive a $1,000 scholarship. 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 including the presentation of awards.

The following students were honored as their school’s 2025-2026 Distinguished Student and submitted applications to the NDHSAA for consideration as the NDHSAA/Farmers Union Distinguished Student:

Cole Nitschke, Ashley High School
Brennan Asmundson, Lewis & Clark - Berthold High School
Kirstin Brunner, Bishop Ryan High School
Rylee Brennan, Bottineau High School
Clara Ankenbauer, Bowbells High School
Jackson Fischer, Bowman County High School
Caiden Quinlivan, Center Stanton High School
Jennings Kuhne, Central Cass High School
Brynn Hanson, Des Lacs-Burlington High School
Nora Reyles, Devils Lake High School
Annabel Scheeler, Dickinson Trinity High School
Evelyn Isaak, Drake/Anamoose High School
Jozie Kiecker, Edgeley High School
Aubrey Middlestead, Ellendale High School
Kaitlyn Maasjo, Enderlin High School
Megan Suppes, Fargo Davies High School
Finnegan Kielty, Fargo North High School
Alexander Kain, Fargo South High School
Chaskee Schmidt, Flasher High School
Alexis Tompkins, Grafton High School
Halle Kohlmeier, Grand Forks Central High School
Matthew Dosch, Grand Forks Red River High School
Summer Meyer, Grant County High School
Claire Ihry, Hope Page High School
Bryce Larson, Kidder County High School
Lyla Kittelson, Kindred High School
Jaelyn Bertsch, Kulm High School
Landon Sundeen, Lakota High School
Norah DelaBarre, LaMoure High School
Jacie Pernat, Larimore High School
Aubrey Kenner, Maddock High School
Kiaza Carlson, MayPort CG High School
Lauren Markegard, Medina High School
Jersey Riske, Midway High School
Amelia Moch, Napoleon High School
Ava Peterson, New Rockford Sheyenne High School
Claire Webber, North Star High School
Owen Johnson, Northern Cass High School
Elizabeth Pinke, Northwood High School
Luke Shirek, Park River Area High School
Brynn Sorenson, Pingree Buchanan High School
Lila Veile, Richland High School
Emily Ann Senger, Rolla High School
Reese Gullickson, Rugby High School
Italia Rodriguez, Stanley High School
Kynlee Larson, Strasburg High School
Thomas Zafke, Thompson High School
Gavin Haraseth, Underwood High School
Adilena Dodge, Wahpeton High School
Thaydan Arnold, Watford City High School
Brooklyn Herrick, WF Horace High School

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 semifinalists. 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 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: The NDHSAA Distinguished Student recipient receives a Farmers Union Insurance sponsored $2,000 scholarship to the college of his/her choice. He/she serves as the NDHSAA spokesperson for High School Activities Month, promotes the values of activity programs and participates in the awarding of trophies at NDHSAA state contests throughout the school year. The runner-up will receive a $1,000 scholarship. 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 including the presentation of awards.

2025-26 NDHSAA/Farmers Union Insurance Distinguished Students

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