Pair of Huskies nominated for ExCEL Award

Each high school in Minnesota can nominate one junior boy and girl for the Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership (ExCEL) Award for the 2020-2021 school year, and this year’s nominees from Owatonna High School are Connor Ginskey and Ava Hess.
The ExCEL Award recognizes high school juniors who are active in fine arts and/or athletic activities, who demonstrate leadership qualities and who are model citizens in their community. The award is sponsored by the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL).  
Ginskey said he was excited and a bit surprised when he found out he’d been nominated for this award.
“I have a lot of classmates and peers who are great leaders and very involved as well,” he said. “I was very honored to be selected. It meant a lot to me.”
He more than qualifies for this award because he’s very involved in athletics and fine arts, school activities and community service.  
For athletics and fine arts, he’s a member of the cross country, basketball and track and field teams as well as active in band, choir, solo/ensemble and pep band.
Even though being that involved in athletics and fine arts is a large time commitment, Ginskey mentioned that he really enjoys participating in those activities.
“Sports have always been a big part of my life, and I like to compete and make myself better,” he said. “I also really enjoy music. Both sports and music mean a lot to me, and I have awesome teachers, coaches, teammates and classmates who make them worthwhile.”
Meanwhile, he serves the community by being a bible camp leader, altar server, Lenten soup supper volunteer, youth basketball camp leader, youth retreat leader, church volunteer and going on a catholic workcamp mission trip.
He was inspired to be involved in the community by witnessing others do their part.
“Seeing so many others make a difference in your community really inspires you to step up and do what you can to help. I try to do what I can to contribute to our community,” he said.
Award winners will be announced on the MSHSL website.
If he were to win the ExCEL award, Ginskey anticipates he would be thrilled and very honored.
“It would be exciting, but I’m just thankful that I was nominated,” he said.
Hess said she was also shocked when she found out she’d been nominated for this award.
“I was completely surprised! There are so many amazing people in our class, so I thought I didn’t stand a chance,” she said. “I am very honored and so thankful for this wonderful nomination.”
“Being nominated for this award is very special to me because I have looked up to so many of the students who have been nominated in the past. It is very humbling to know that I may give a similar impression to others,” she said.
Like Ginskey, Hess is involved in numerous athletic and fine arts activities. She’s a member of the soccer team, band, pep band, marching band, solo/ensemble and the Minnesota Band Director Association honor band.
She’s involved in so many activities because she loves participating in them.
“Being around my classmates outside of school has helped me make new friends, for which I am very grateful. If I didn’t love the activities I’m in, I wouldn’t make the time to do them. Finding what you enjoy doing is very important, especially when trying to figure out who you are as a person,” she said.
Additionally, she’s also a member of National Honor Society, Student Council, Honor Roll, Student Health Occupations Club, Link Crew, elementary tutor and student representative with superintendent.
Hess checks off the community service requirement by participating in the Adopt A Highway program and volunteering for Steele County Relay for Life, Boo for Food, From the Heart Music Boosters, carnival fundraiser and her church.
Being involved in the community is very important to her.
“I want to give back because of all the things the community does for me and for all of the other families in Owatonna. The caring community of Owatonna is my biggest motivation when it comes to volunteering in the community,” she said.
She’s also noticed herself grow as a leader.
“During my freshman year in high school I held back and didn’t speak out as much as I do now, mostly because I was afraid of what others thought of me,” said Hess. “I have grown into being a stronger leader during high school by being myself and knowing that that is enough.”
She mentioned that winning the award would be amazing, but she’s happy just being nominated.
“If I were to win the award, I would be 100 times more surprised than I was when Mr. Achterkirch called me about the nomination,” she said. “Either way, I am proud to represent Owatonna through this award and am grateful for the opportunity.”