Rolbiecki, Sorensen named top athletes

Natalee Rolbiecki and Cale Sorensen were selected as the Andersen-Christianson Athletes of the Year during the Minneota Senior Awards and Dollars for Scholars program on Sunday.
Laney Myhre was named the Andersen-Christianson Musician of the Year.
Those two awards are named for Bob Andersen (1966 Minneota graduate) and Tom Christianson (1968) who were killed in an automobile accident in 1970. Both of them were heavily involved in sports and music during their high school careers.
To qualify for Athlete of the Year, recipients must have participated in two or more sports, be a positive leader and role model both on and off the field, and follow all rules and regulations.
Rolbiecki was part of nine state tournament teams that won four state championships in basketball and volleyball. She was a six-year varsity volleyball performer and spent five years on the varsity basketball team.
Rolbiecki logged 1,583 kills and 1,183 digs in her volleyball career, while finishing with 1,646 career points in basketball, which ranks fifth all-time in school history.
Rolbiecki, who signed a National Letter of Intent to play volleyball next fall for Southwest Minnesota State University, felt honored to be selected for the award from among a senior class of talented athletes.
"I am very honored to have received this award," she said. "I would not have been able to do so without the support of my parents, family, coaches and teammates. It's an honor to be selected out of all the female athletes in my class."Sorensen played three years on the varsity in football as a wide receiver and defensive back, and three in basketball as a forward. He was a two-way starter on the football team this past fall that placed second in Class A.
Sorensen averaged nearly 20 points and four steals per games as the lone senior on the basketball team this winter, while finishing with around 800 career points.
"This award means a ton to me," he said. "I'm very thankful to win and be recognized for such an award. I couldn't have won this award without all my coaches in both sports who have done so much for me and my athletic career.
"All of my teammates in both sports are the reason I won this award. So, to my teammates and coaches, this award is yours s much as it is mine. This is something I will cherish forever. Thank you to all who voted and selected me for this award."
The Andersen-Christianson Music Award goes to a Minneota senior who participates, shows leadership, and is dedicated to the music program and community.
Myhre has been involved with the Minneota pep band ever since fifth grade, and the jazz band since her freshman year. She also performed in the orchestra put for Minneota's production of "White Christmas" and "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat". She was also involved in honor band in ninth grade.
Myhre plays tenor saxophone and recently received three "superior" ratings in the sub-district competition in Cottonwood, including Saxophone Duet, Tenor Saxophone Solo and Jazz Band.
"I love working with other talented musicians," she said. "Music is emotion-driven and when dedicated people put their hearts into their work, it gives me chills."
Myhre appreciates being recognized for an award that showcases her musical talents.
"As someone who isn't involved in sports, I've always found it somewhat difficult to stand out for my talents in a school like Minneota," she said. "This award has made me proud of my progress and thankful for the people who have supported me."
Although Myhre is unsure of her plans for next year, she indicated that she would like to pursue a career in art and music.
There were also 34 scholarships given out to the Minneota seniors in attendance, along with family, friends, coaches and school faculty members. Every senior that applies for a Dollars for Scholars scholarship received money to further their education, provided they meet all the criteria. Some of the criteria might be in the field of study the student might be pursuing or based on something the student has already accomplished, such as community service projects or participation in school events like athletics, music or drama.
Senior Co-Class Presidents Summer Hennen and Abby Frie opened the event by welcoming those in attendance. Minneota Dollars for Scholars President Sue Buysse then read off the names of the winners of the awards and scholarships:

Andersen-Christianson Athlete Awards: Natalee Rolbiecki, Cale Sorensen

Andersen-Christianson Music Award: Laney Myhre

Musser Environmental Consulting Inc. Scholarship: Alex Josephson, Aleksa Sanow

Thurmond T. Thurmond Scholarships: Lauren Bowyer, Summer Hennen, Emma Lipinski, Jeren Rost, McKenna Yost

Educator of Tomorrow Scholarship: Cale Sorensen

Dale Yost Memorial Baseball Scholarship: Jonah Gruenes

State Bank of Taunton Scholarship: Jackson Esping

Marjorie A. Pesch Teacher's Scholarship: Hailey Kimpe

Southwest Sportsmen's Club Scholarship: Kade Lozinski, Troy Van Keulen

Minneota Rotary Educational Scholarship: Abby Frie, Emma Lipinski, Cole Myhre

Universal Forest Products Achievement Scholarship: Thomas Belaen, Tucker Thooft

Franz Nelson Scholarship (Swede Home Lutheran Church): Brooke Moorse

Nels and Junina Nelson Scholarship (Swede Home Lutheran Church): Alyssa Engels

Friends of Swede Home Lutheran Church Scholarship: Natalee Rolbiecki

Minneota Assisted Living and Home Care Scholarship: Teagan Welsh

Rev. Richard and Mavis Erickson and Family Scholars in Memory of Mark and Mary Ann Full: Ellen Meagher

Joseph Fischer Memorial Scholarship: Mya Lozinski

Curt Breyfogle Memorial Scholarship: Truman Wambeke

Pete VanVooren Memorial Scholarship: Tyler Gronke

Schwan's Educational Scholarship: McKenzie Tolk

AgPlus Cooperative Education Scholarship: Isabel Bruner

Lyon County Farm Bureau Scholarship: Morgan Moorse

The Jeff and Patricia Peterson Youth in Firearm Sports Award: Landon DeSmet

Ufkin Family Memorial Scholarship: Chloe Davis, Jeren Rost

Emily Ufkin Memorial Scholarship: Abby Frie

Ruth M. Przymus Memorial Scholarship: Ava Larson, Jacquelin Monzon

4.0 Bus Service Scholarship: Tyler Schmidt

Donny Belaen Memorial Scholarship: Thomas Belaen, Ellen Meagher, Carson VanOverbeke

Minneota Wrestling Booster Club Scholarship: Jonah Gruenes

Eagles Scholarship: Alex Josephson, McKenna Yost

Craig Ahmann Memorial Scholarship: McKenzie Tolk

Jackie Skillings Memorial Scholarship: Jeren Rost

PEO Chapter AS Scholarship: Alyssa Engels

Knights of Columbus Scholarship: Tucker Thooft

Career and Technical Education Scholarship: Cole Myhre

Minneota Dollars for Scholars: Chloe Davis, Landon DeSmet, Tyler Gronke, Summer Hennen, Hailey Kimpe, Ava Larson, Kade Lozinski, Mya Lozinski, Jacquelin Monzon, Natalee Rolbiecki, Aleksa Sanow, Tyler Schmidt, Cale Sorensen, Tucker Thooft, Troy VanKeulen, Truman Wambeke, Teagan Welsh

Senior Photo: Seniors receiving scholarships were: front row, left to right: Cole Myhre, Truman Wambeke, Jackson Esping, Troy Van Keulen, Kade Lozinski, Jeren Rost and Chloe Davis. Second Row: Alex Josephson, Aleksa Sanow, Summer Hennen, McKenna Yost, Ava Larson and Lauren Bowyer. Third Row: Tucker Thooft, Landon DeSmet, Ellen Meagher, McKenzie Tolk, Natalee Rolbiecki, Brooke Moorse and Hailey Kimpe. Back Row: Laney Myhre, Emma Lipinski, Alyssa Engels, Thomas Belaen, Tyler Schmidt, Tyler Gronke, Jonah Gruenes and Cale Sorensen. Contributed photo.