2009-10 NDHSAA/US Bank Distinguished Students

Sibee Jokela, a junior at Watford City High School, has been selected as the 2009-10 North Dakota High School Activities Association/U.S. BANK Distinguished Student at interviews held in Valley City on the morning of Friday, May 8th. Alexa Bateman of Grand Forks Red River was chosen as the first runner-up.

The other four finalists were Anna Andersson, Northern Cass; Jake Miller, Kidder County; Shelby Heimbuch, Sargent Central; and Eric Fugleberg, Mayville Portland C-G.

The NDHSAA is proud to have U.S. Bank as a partner in this program as they provide the $5000 for scholarships awarded the six finalists.

Sibee Jokela received a $2000 scholarship, Alexa Bateman a $1000 scholarship, and the other four finalists each received a $500 scholarship.

The Distinguished Student Award program recognizes outstanding high school juniors for their activity participation and leadership within their schools and communities. These students were chosen because they are in many school activities and have been positive role models and peer motivators. These students are willing to share their gifts by tutoring, leading, or by just rolling up their sleeves and helping get things done!
These finalists were the top six of fifty-eight juniors statewide that were nominated by their schools in March.

All six Distinguished Students will receive an all-expense paid trip to Indianapolis to attend the 2009 National Federation Student Leadership Conference at the Indianapolis Hilton in July.

The six finalists will also be student ambassadors for the NDHSAA this spring and during the next school year. They will be invited to help present awards at various events as well as lead the “Parade of Champions” held in March of each year. They will also help promote High School Activities Week, and the values of high school activities participation.

The North Dakota High School Activities Association and US Bank are proud to announce the finalists for the 2009-2010 Distinguished Student Award. These students have been selected from an outstanding group of juniors 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 their school and community.

The following students were honored as their school's 2009-2010 Distinguished Student and submitted to the NDHSAA for consideration as the State Distinguished Student:
Jessica Rott, Anamoose High School
Katie Fletcher, Barnes Co. North High School
Laura Steffan, Belfield High School
Justin Whetham, Berthhold High School
Rebecca Lebak, Bismarck High School
Marissa Pewe, Bottineau High School
Rebecca Gussiaas, Carrington High School
Darian Brevik, Cavalier High School
Erika Jossart, Century High School
Nathan Kinneberg, Dakota Prairie High School
Samantha Benzmiller, Des Lacs-Burlington High School
Brittany Noltimier, Devils Lake High School
Megan Michaelson, Dickinson High School
Taylor Erickson, Edgeley High School
Sarah Johnston, Ellendale High School
Kelsi Thilmony, Enderlin High School
Alicia Patton, Finley-Sharon High School
Will Robinson, Garrison High School
Brady Johnson, GF Central High School
Alyson Hubrig, Hankinson High School
Caitlyn Arnold, Harvey High School
Jesse Towne, Hazelton-M-B High School
Megan Stippich, Hettinger High School
Lindsey Rogers, Hillsboro High School
Wyatt Mack, Hope-Page High School
Seth Kuchar, Lakota High School
Gretchen Luhmann, Langdon High School
Nick Verdi, Larimore High School
Katie Kaler, Lidgerwood High School
Sean Opdahl, Litchville-Marion High School
Benjamin Keith, MLS High School
Jared Kautzman, New Salem High School
Cheyenne Brady, New Town High School
Anna Kalliokoski, North Border High School-Pembina
Benjamin Albrecht, North High School
Ariel Waloch, North Sargent High School
Anna Kozlowski, Oak Grove High School
Jorge Eligio, Park River High School
Harrison Zacher, Parshall High School
Kristin Johnson, Richardton-Taylor High School
Daniel Mehrer, South Heart High School
Matthew Budke, South High School
Adam Swigost, St. Mary's High School
Rachel Mehus, Stanley High School
Bobbi Kramer, Strasburg High School
Katie Morgan, Thompson High School
Gaige Allard, TMCHS
Hunter Wilson, Underwood High School
Wayne Engelhard, Valley City High School
Alexandra Podoll, Velva High School
Sydney Fox Wing, High School
David Goerger, Wyndmere High School

Past Distinguished Student Recipients