Myhre, Bradley nominated for ExCEL awards

Minneota juniors Elena Myhre and Parker Bradley were selected as nominees for the prestigious ExCEL Award for Section 3A.
The ExCEL (Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership) Award is a recognition program designed exclusively for Minnesota high school juniors who are active in school activities, leaders in their schools, and who demonstrate a strong commitment to community service.
Myhre and Bradley were nominated by school administrators after each met certain criteria, such as they must be a junior in high school, make satisfactory progress toward graduation, participate in a Minnesota State High School League fine arts and/or athletic activity, hold a leadership position(s) in their school, volunteer in their community, and meet MSHSL general eligibility requirements.
"Elena and Parker are both awesome candidates for the MSHSL ExCEL Award, and they will both represent Minneota Public Schools very well, said Minneota Superintendent Scott Monson. "They are both involved and successful in many different activities, which exemplifies their wide array of talents.”
Myhre is the daughter of Seth and Teresa Myhre of Minneota. She is involved in band, choir, theater, robotics and National Honor Society. She also helps with numerous church events and meals at St. Edward's.
"I volunteered at the Special Olympics two summers ago and I have volunteered with the NHS this year," Myhre said. "Through these experiences, I have found that I enjoy helping others and getting to know them in the process. The main way I was involved in the community this year was when I chose to run for Boxelder Bug Days Royalty (she was named First Princess). I got to talk to many people and I loved every minute of it. "Bradley is the son of Bill and Jessica Bradley. He is involved in baseball, football and wrestling, as well as metals and welding, art, ceramics classes.
"Since ninth grade I have volunteered for referring fifth/sixth grade football, helped out with a youth football camp, help manage a bouncy house during Boxelder Bug Days, moved community members into their new house, and help community clean up after the derecho storm hit."
Each of the nominees learned that they will represent Section 3A in the ExCEL program from Minneota Activities Director Patty Myrvik. Each of the eight section boys' and girls' winners in both Class A and Class AA will be recognized in an on-court award ceremony at halftime of the Class AA girls' state basketball tournament at Williams Arena in March.
"I am so grateful to be nominated for this honor," Bradley said. "I am also appreciative to represent Minneota High School."
"I am very excited to be chosen for this honor," Myhre stated.
Both nominees enjoy the camaraderie that comes with attending a small school.
"Since our school has the smaller class sizes compared to other schools this allows a student to know their peers on a personal level, as well as their teacher," Bradley noted.
"I love the community at MHS," Myhre remarked. "You know everyone. It's great."
Monson said these two students represent the school and community well.
“I’m impressed with both of them as great young people and leaders amongst their peers,” he said. “We couldn’t ask for better nominees and representatives from our school district for this prestigious award.”