Local schools announce ExCEL winners

Sleepy Eye High School honored Landon Wendinger and Paige Haala (Above photo)  as their 2023-2024 ExCEL winners while St. Mary’s named Rachel Portner and Noah Christensen (below photo). All are juniors and now compete at the state level.

ExCEL – Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership – is a unique recognition program designed exclusively for Minnesota high school juniors who are active in school activities, who show Leadership qualities, and who volunteer in their communities. Every member school of the League is invited to nominate one girl and one boy for the ExCEL Award. Nominees must:
a. be a junior in high school
b. make satisfactory progress toward graduation requirements
c. participate in a MSHSL fine arts and/or athletic activity
d. hold a leadership position(s) in their school
e. work voluntarily in their community.