2016-17 NDHSAA/Farmers Union Insurance Distinguished Student Named

Mya Steinwehr, a junior at Hankinson High School, was named the 2016-2017 North Dakota High School Activities Association/Farmers Union Insurance Distinguished Student. Interviews were held for the finalists in Valley City on the morning of May 4.

Alyx Schmitz of Oakes High School, was chosen runner-up. The other finalists are Martin Altenburg - Fargo North High School, Justin Olien - West Fargo Sheyenne High School, Kailer Riedman - May-Port CG High School, and Brooke Schulte - Bismarck Century High School.  The six finalists were selected from the original sixty-seven applications sent in by high school principals around 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 medallion and a Farmers Union Insurance sponsored $2,000 scholarship to the college of his/her choice. He/she is invited to be the Grand Marshall 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 medallion and a $1,000 scholarship. The other four finalists receive a medallion, a $500 scholarship to the college of his/her choice, publication in the Bulletin and other recognition in connection with NDHSAA events. The top two finalists will also be awarded a trip to Indianapolis in late July for a leadership conference.

The following students were honored as their school’s 2016-2017 Distinguished Student and submitted to the NDHSAA for consideration as the State Distinguished Student:

Ray Wegner - Beach High School

Anjali Kumar - Bottineau High School

Alexus Mahlum - Bowbells High School

Mikayla Bartholomay - Bowman County High School

Britney Erlendson - Cavalier High School

Sage Friedt - Carrington High School

Kyle Henningsgard - Central Valley High School

Brooke Schulte - Century High School

Emma Poehls - Dakota Prairie High School

Rachel Nemer - Davies High School

Erica Moen - Des Lacs-Burlington High School

Shelby Johnson - Devils Lake High School

Alyssa Oltmanns - Dickinson Trinity High School

Kenzie Volochenko - Drake-Anamoose High School

Allison Giesler - Edgeley High School

Chloe Thurber - Ellendale High School

Jacquelyn McCleary - Enderlin High School

Allison Grefsrud - Fairmount High School

Martin Altenburg - Fargo North High School

Natalie Schalow - Fargo South High School

Brooke Froelich - Flasher High School

John Lee - Finley-Sharon High School

Francine Dong - Grand Forks Central High School

Gabrielle Mangan - Grand Forks Red River High School

Dakota Schaefer - Grant County High School

Mya Steinwehr - Hankinson High School

Lucas Mohn - Hatton Eielson High School

Quentin Corcoran - Hazen High School

Benjamin Dryburgh - Hillsboro High School

Kylee Nelson - Kenmare High School

Allison Galbreath - Kidder County High School - Steele

Mikayla Reinke - Kindred High School

Rachel Cheatley - Langdon Area High School

Jacob Tupa - Larimore High School

Nathan Steffan - Lakota High School

Erin Jorgenson - Leeds High School

Ethan Elijah - Lisbon High School

Nichole Brookhouser - Lewis and Clark Berthold High School

Macy Feland - MLS Mohall High School

Kailer Riedman - May-Port CG High School

LaDora Schmidt - Napoleon High School

Emily Ehlis - New England High School

Mackenzie Holkesvig - Northwood High School

Drew Asche - North Sargent High School

Jayden Komrosky - North Star High School

Alyx Schmitz - Oakes High School

Morgan Olson - Our Redeemer’s High School

Jackson Hankey - Park River Area High School

Justin Hart - Parshall High School

Kelsey Perdue - Ray High School

Megan Richard - Rolette High School

John Munro - Rolla High School

Breanna Thompson - Rugby High School

Hannah Manz - Shanley High School

Margie Silbernagel - South Heart High School

Christian Warcken - Thompson High School

Parker Heger - Underwood High School

Mikey Meester - Valley City High School

Justin Olien - West Fargo Sheyenne High School

McKenna Weisenburger - Wilton High School

Allie Mauch - Wyndmere High School