---

The North Branch School Board last week bestowed recognition certificates and special souvenir pens upon a number of student athletes, who achieved academic honors during the fall sports season.

~ North Branch girls tennis team had a team grade point average (GPA) of 3.844 to earn a gold academic award from conference coaches.

~ Girls soccer players earned a silver academic award with a Team GPA of 3.66.

~ The cross country teams-- boys and girls-- were also recognized for GPAs of 3.46 (boys) and 3.66 (girls.)

~ In football North Branch was second in the conference academically. Academic All State winner Kyle Grote was also applauded for his achievement.

~ The girls volleyball team GPA was 3.78 and the team celebrated academic all conference awardees in Ashley King and Laura Aho.

Coaches and players who were able to attend the school board meeting were honored at the outset of the session and received much applause from a packed house, full of staff members and other visitors.

---