Sourcewell honors local Students of Character April 20

STAPLES — Forty-three local high school students have been selected by their respective school staff and will be celebrated at a special event from 5-8 p.m. on April 20 at Madden’s Resort on Gull Lake.

The Students of Character Celebration recognizes high school juniors and seniors throughout Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd and Wadena counties for their quiet leadership, perseverance and dedication to their community, school and fellow students. Donations from local businesses, organizations and individuals make it possible for each student to receive a scholarship, plus a chance to win door prizes.

This celebration is by invitation only, however, the event will be broadcast live on Facebook for the general public. A recording of the complete event will also be shared the following day on the Sourcewell Facebook page.

How to view the event:

• Go to  facebook.com/sourcewellgov .
• If you aren’t logged into Facebook, you will see a pop-up prompting you to log in or create an account. You can skip the step by clicking ‘not now.’
• Scroll down the page until you see a premiere box titled ‘Students of Character - 2022 Celebration.’
• Click on the box to start watching.

Here are a number of the local students being recognized during the event.

Contributed / Sourcewell	Contributed / Sourcewell
Nominated by Alan Hanson	Nominated by Nancy VanDenheuvel
Isaac gives much of his time to helping others but does so without expectation of recognition. He was an All-Conference Park Region runner and was selected to the Academic All-Conference team. The fact he has accomplished all that he has is a testament to the person he is and the strong family he comes from.	Lynda is an active member and leader of the FFA program at Bertha-Hewitt. She works very hard on her family farm and has been instrumental in teaching other “nonfarm students” the value of farming. Lynda shares her joy by organizing local FFA weeklong activities that teach students about farming in fun and creative ways.

Contributed / Sourcewell	Contributed / Sourcewell
Nominated by Wadena Area Learning Center staff	Nominated by Staples Area Learning Center staff
Kaci brings a positive smile and outlook to each day. She appreciates help and guidance and makes everyone around her cheerful. She also knows when to ask for help and helps others when they are in need. Kaci is respectful and pleasant to students and staff. She consistently attends school and is extremely mature in her role as a student leader.	Sage has faced many challenges throughout her high school career. After a bumpy start to her freshman year, being behind in credits and having missed a lot of school, Sage enrolled in the Area Learning Center. With a new start and a positive attitude, she has managed to persevere and even enrolled in postsecondary enrollment option (PSEO) classes this past year.

Contributed / Sourcewell	Contributed / Sourcewell
Nominated by April Hodge	Nominated by Mark Frank
Nicole has had to move around quite a bit with different foster homes, which included leaving Menahga as a student for about a year and a half. Even through her challenges, she is positive and always there to encourage younger students she sees struggling. Nicole enjoys working at Subway, photography, singing in choir, and hanging out with friends.	Jack has faced adversity since a young age when he was diagnosed with hearing loss. But that didn’t stop him or slow him down. He has worked hard over the years, putting in countless hours and showing true grit with a positive attitude. He no longer needs help or support for that diagnosis. Jack is a remarkable, caring, and compassionate young man who will do anything for anyone – all with a smile on his face.

Contributed / Sourcewell	Contributed / Sourcewell
Nominated by Jacob Oyster	Nominated by Bryson Vasey
Sarah is always willing to serve others who need help. She doesn't need to be in the spotlight but is one of the rare individuals who seem to be content serving in whatever manner is required, often doing the things no one else is willing to do. Sarah has a positive attitude, greets people warmly in the halls, shows appreciation and respect for the school staff, and exhibits school spirit and pride.	Adam doesn’t need to be the star to make a difference. As a participant in the school play, he has a natural stage presence and makes performing in front of a large audience look easy. As a member of the football team, he may not have had the highest stats or most impressive plays, but his contributions didn’t go unnoticed. Last fall, Adam was voted Football Scout Team Player of the Year by his teammates.

Contributed / Sourcewell	Contributed / Sourcewell
Nominated by Maggie Borg	Nominated by Maggie Borg
Bronte is naturally and uniquely caring, accepting, and giving to everyone. In school and in the community, she is always fun-loving and cheerful, and it is infectious to others. She will reach out to anyone she sees who may be struggling or having a bad day. Bronte is one who can never walk away from someone in need, and she always puts others’ needs before her own.	Evan was diagnosed with an autoinflammatory disease that has created some challenges for him. At times, it has affected his ability to attend and participate in school, extracurricular activities, and many leisure things he enjoys. Although this has been tough for him to endure, he has maintained his positive attitude and has turned the challenge into an inspiration to learn more about the disease and help others with the same battle.

Contributed / Sourcewell	Contributed / Sourcewell
Nominated by Sam Schmitz	Nominated by Alex Anderson
Mariah is spirited, hard-working, motivated, and greatly committed to her education. She carries herself with dignity as she never puts others down and never gloats. She truly radiates goodness. She holds down two jobs, yet her studies never falter. When Mariah is called upon to complete a task, she completes it with thought and care. She never shies away from a challenge to her learning.	Emma is a student who works incredibly hard in school. Even in classes that do not come naturally, she makes sure to ask questions and finds ways to persevere and succeed. Emma is kind to all students and lives by the philosophy: "you don't have to be best friends with everyone, but you should be nice to everyone." Emma is an all-around great member of the school community, and Verndale is even better because she is a part of it.

Contributed / Sourcewell	Contributed / Sourcewell
Nominated by Laura Kiser	Nominated by Laura Kiser
Madison’s ever-present smile and fierce determination set her apart. In addition to doing great things in athletics, she can frequently be found volunteering her time. When she was a third-grade student, her class lost a very good friend to childhood cancer. Madison has been a big part of the Princess Warrior 5K ever since, keeping the legacy of Jane alive and well in our community and helping other families.	Emma is a quiet, behind-the-scenes student. She is kind to all and, over the years, has found confidence in helping others. She makes Wadena-Deer Creek a better place to be with her enthusiasm for learning and by asking inquisitive and tough questions. Emma is kind, thoughtful, and grateful for everything during her school day. She never takes for granted her friends or what she can learn.