Monzon, Stassen named Minneota AAA nominees

Ezequiel “Zeke” Monzon and Ireland Stassen have been friends for several years. They are both seniors at Minneota High School, their families both live in Ghent, they both play drums in the pep band, are very personable, and they even went to last year’s prom together.
They have one more thing in common. They are this year’s Minneota nominees for the Minnesota State High School League Academics, Arts and Athletics (AAA) Award.
“It’s a nice honor,” said Stassen. “It means a lot to represent Minneota.”
“I think it’s cool,” Monzon said. “It’s something nice to get for my last year of high school.”
Stassen and Monzon, who each receive a certificate for being selected to represent their school, are one of the finalists for the Section 3A AAA award in which one boy and one girl are chosen from each section and are invited to a recognition banquet in March.
MSHSL officials will then announce the four statewide AAA winners at that time.
All 32 finalists will also participate in an on-court ceremony at halftime of the Class AA boys basketball state championship game.
The statewide award winners, one boy and one girl from Class A and Class AA schools, will also receive a four-year $1,000 scholarship.
The criteria for the award is the nominee must be a senior, must have a grade-point-average of 3.0 or higher, and must have participated in at least one Minnesota State High School League-sponsored athletic program, and at least one fine arts/activity program.
Stassen is the daughter of Mike and Sarah Stassen. She plays volleyball and basketball for Minneota, as well as being a percussionist in the pep band.
Monzon is the son of Julio and Nyomie Monzon. He played football and wrestles. He is also a percussionist in the school’s pep band, as well as for his church band, Ministerio Rayo de Luz (Ministry Ray of Light).