Rost, Johnson win ExCEL awards

Minneota juniors Max Rost and Ella Johnson received one of the most prestigious honors a high school student can receive when they were selected as ExCEL Award winners in Section 3A last week.
The ExCEL Award (Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership) is selected by an independent panel of judges from schools throughout Minnesota.
"I was really surprised when I was told that I had won," said Rost. "It's really an honor to represent my school, community and family."
"It means a lot to me," said Johnson. "When I was going to apply, I looked it up to see what the award was all about and saw all the things that went along with it, I didn't think I was going to get it. But I was very happy when I found out."
The EXCEL Award is a unique 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.
Students were required to apply for the award by Dec. 9, 2022 and must meet 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. Rost, who sports a 3.996 grade-point-average, is the son of Marty and Andrea Rost of Ivanhoe. He participates in football, basketball, golf, band and choir, as well as being a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, Prom Committee at Minneota High School. He is also active in 4H, and volunteers at football camp and his church.
"I like to be involved and stay busy," said Rost, who is looking at a career in the medical field. "Being involved allow me to meet a lot of people which I enjoy."
Johnson, the daughter of Brett and Tiffany Johnson of Minneota, has a 3.6 GPA and also stays busy with a myriad of activities. She is involved in volleyball, basketball and track, as well as National Honor Society, Student Council, band, Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) and Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). She also volunteers at her church and for volleyball camps.
"I like to stay busy and active, too," she remarked. "I like to hang out with my friends and do things together."
Johnson, an All-State volleyball player this season, would like to play college volleyball after she graduates from high school and is also leaning towards a Business degree.
Rost and Johnson were informed by either Minneota Activities Director Patty Myrvik and/or the Minnesota State High School League last week that they will represent Section 3A in the ExCEL program.
"This is an amazing honor as there are so many talented kids to choose from," said 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 on March 18.
"I am super impressed with the leadership of Max and Ella," said Minneota Superintendent Scott Monson. "I was on a region (ExCEL) committee and the competition is tough. I think it's so impressive that both of our section representatives came from our school. To be chosen as two of the 16 boys and 16 girls from the entire state of Minnesota is unbelievable."