Schmidt recognized with ExCEL Award

Chisago Lakes junior Christian Schmidt was one of 32 Minnesota juniors who received the ExCEL Award this year. Every year, Chisago Lakes has a nominee rcognized, but this was the first year they’ve had a student win the award. Schmidt is active in a myriad of activities at the high school, including Knowledge Bowl, Math League, National Honor Society, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Business Professionals of America, Band, Football and Track and Field. Schmidt also volunteers his little free time to Boy Scouts, Community Theater, Church and the elmentary after school program. 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 are model citizens. Every member school of the Minnesota State High School 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. This is the 17th year that the Minnesota State High School League has sponsored the ExCEL Award.