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The Minnesota State High School League and AAA Minneapolis announced the winners of the 2009 ExCEL Award. ExCEL-Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership-is a unique recognition program that is given annually to high school juniors who are leaders in their schools and who work voluntarily in their community helping others. AAA Minneapolis is the award sponsor.

"The ExCEL program seeks to recognize students who consistently shine with a strong sense of school pride and community loyalty," said Lisa Lissimore, League associate director who oversees the award program. "Their success is not measured by finishing first or having the highest grade point average. Rather their success is measured by the contributions they make to their school and community."

The 2009 ExCEL award winners have participated in a variety of community service projects, including food and blood drives, Adopt-a-Highway programs, and 4-H and FFA outreach activities. Many have shared their musical and theatrical talents at community events, while others coach Little League teams, teach Sunday school, and tutor other students.

The ExCEL award program began in 1996. Award recipients are selected through a multi-level process that involves League member schools and an independent panel of judges from schools throughout Minnesota. Nearly 3,000 students have been recognized with this award. Two-hundred and forty-two students were nominated by their schools this year. Additional information about the 2009 ExCEL Award recipients may be obtained by visiting the League's Web site at www.MSHSL.org.

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