NDHSAA/Farmers Union Insurance Distinguished Students (2023-24)

JAMESTOWN, N.D. – Teagan Erbele, a junior at Napoleon High School, was named the 2023-2024 North Dakota High School Activities Association and Farmers Union Insurance Distinguished Student. Interviews were held April 26 at Farmers Union Insurance Headquarters in Jamestown.

Mya Woodbeck, of Bowbells High School was chosen runner up. The other finalists interviewed were:

Logan Falk, Hankinson High School
Xzavier Buckmiller, Fargo North High School
Taryn Romfo, Langdon Area High School
Amara Howson, 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 NDHSAA 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 NDHSAA Bulletin and other recognition in connection with NDHSAA events.

The following students were honored as their school’s 2022-2023 Distinguished Student and submitted applications to the NDHSAA for consideration as the NDHSAA/Farmers Union Distinguished Student:

Bernan Bartholomay, Enderlin
Logan Falk, Hankinson
Esther Steinke, Hope-Page
Grant Spelhaug, Kindred
Michael Nelson, Lisbon
Danica Hanson, May-Port CG
Luke Martinson, Milnor
Grace Wolf, Wyndmere
Brylee Fast, Ashley
Mataeya Mathern, Edgeley
Grace Nicholson, Kidder County
Seth Entzi, Kulm
Heidi Steffes, LaMoure
Teagan Erbele, Napoleon
Paige Bakke, Oakes
Edyth Hatlestad, Shiloh
Abigail Eberle, Bismarck St. Mary's
Xzavier Buckmiller, Fargo North
Andrew Weber, Fargo South
Selena Wu, Grand Forks Red River
McKade Picken, Wahpeton
Maggie Dick, West Fargo Horace
Daviney McKay, Beulah
Mya Woodbeck, Bowbells
Jordan Peterson, Center-Stanton
William O'Shields, Dickinson Trinity
Tyler Meckle, Drake
Elizabeth Bachler, Glen-Ullin
Madison Zimmerman, Grant County
Weston Winkler, Hazen
Bethany Enander, Stanley
Morgan Schweitzer, Bottineau
Shaylie Holen, Des-Lacs Burlington
Ross Thompson, Lakota
Taryn Romfo, Langdon Area
Kyle Johnson, Midkota
Nickolas Kingzett, Munich
Jenna Fraser, North Border Walhalla
Connor Klein, Rugby
Kaitlyn Erickstad, Starkweather
Hailey Berg, Drayton
Brooks Braun, Finley Sharon
Jack Kern, Grafton
Thea Letcher, Hattone Eielson
Addyson Hefta, Midway
Heide Lane, Minto
Amara Howson, Northwood
Conner Hodek, Park River Area
Calvin Otto, Valley-Edinburg