Wadena-Deer Creek High School has nominated Hannah Toedter and Kevin Tumberg for the ExCEL (Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership) Award.
Sponsored by the Minnesota State High School League, ExCEL is a unique recognition program designed exclusively for Minnesota high school juniors. Students who are active in fine arts and/or athletic activities, who show leadership qualities, and who are model citizens in their community are eligible for the award.
ExCEL Award recipients are selected through a process that involves Minnesota State High School League member schools and an independent panel of judges of judges from schools throughout the Minnesota.
Toedter is involved in cross country track, where she's received all-conference and all-section honors and participated in the state meet; basketball, where she was named "Most Improved" her sophomore year; and track, where she qualified for the state meet. Her fine-arts activities include choir, band, pep band, piano lessons and visual arts. She is consistently on the "A" Honor Roll, a member of National Honor Society, Big Buddy, Prom Committee and serves as a Peer Mentor. Her volunteer and community service includes being active in her church and serving as a volunteer for youth basketball, basketball fundraisers, school concessions and junior high track meets.
Tumberg's athletic career includes football, where he received an Academic Achievement Award; basketball, where he was selected ninth-grade captain and was awarded "Offensive MVP," the Wolverine Leadership Award and an Academic Achievement Award; baseball, where he was selected to the All-Conference Team and received an Academic Achievement Award. He is active in choir, serves as a Peer Mentor, is involved in Big Buddy, Business Professionals of America, National Honor Society and is consistently on the "A" Honor Roll. He is active in his church and serves as an elementary football referee, elementary basketball coach and a youth baseball umpire.
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WDC Assistant Principal/Activities Director Brian Silbernick believes the ExCEL Award program is an excellent opportunity for high school juniors, like Toedter and Tumberg, who have excelled to receive statewide recognition for their leadership and community service, he said.
"Both Hannah and Kevin display those qualities and are great role models for our younger students. We're proud to have them represent Wadena-Deer Creek High School," Silbernick said.
Hannah is the daughter of Dan and Lynda Toedter and Kevin is the son of Terry and Barb Tumberg.
