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Annette
Olson, Miss North Dakota
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The
American Youth Character Awards are the only
national awards given to young people solely for
strength of character. Under the direction of the
Josephson Institute of Ethics and the national
CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition, these awards identify
and honor young people who are the real and proper
role models for their generation.
These
awards are not given for isolated acts of heroism
or generosity, nor are they given simply for high
grades, leadership posts, excellence in athletics
or the arts. Rather, the American Youth Character
Awards are designed to honor young people
(regardless of their family background, race,
culture, financial status, I.Q., or physical
condition) whose lives and achievements demonstrate
an enduring commitment to qualities associated with
good character. The recipients of these awards are
undeniable role models for our community.
The
fifth annual Minot CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition American Youth
Character Awards Banquet was held on Wednesday, January 31,
2007 at Minot State University. Annette Olson, Miss North Dakota,
was the keynote speaker.
The
Minot CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition is proud to announce the award
winners for the 2006-2007 school year listed below:
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Lindsay
Aarseth
Lindsay
is a Senior attending Bishop Ryan
High School. She is the daughter of
Jerry and Jill
Aarseth
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- Cassandra
Kraft
Cassandra
is a Senior attending Minot High
School. Cassandra is the daughter of
Lenora Kraft.
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- Amber
Kroke
Amber
is a Senior attending Bishop Ryan High
School. Amber is the daughter of Jay and
Kathy Kroke.
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Lindsay
Aarseth
is a Senior attending Bishop Ryan High School. She is the daughter
of Jerry and Jill Aarseth. Lindsay was nominated by teacher,
Wanda Kalamaha. Lindsay shows grace, dignity, self-respect,
and self-discipline in everything that she does. Lindsay is
an exceptional student who has always been committed to her
education. She is a well-rounded individual. Lindsay is setting
a pattern of self-sacrifice and generosity that will make her
an absolute ‘pillar’ in any community she resides
in. Lindsay strives to do her best and to bring out the best
in her peers. She believes in helping others. Lindsay is involved
in numerous extracurricular activities and sports. She also
has volunteered at the Boy’s Ranch, at Trinity Nursing
Homes for two summers, at the Minot Chapter of Special Olympics
and at Camp Recreation in Richardton for 4 years. Lindsay was
able to make a very special connection with a mentally challenged
individual thus improving her quality of life. Lindsay lives
her life according to strong faith values and her lifestyle
choices epitomize the Six Pillars of Character. She chooses
what is right over what is popular to do. Lindsay Aarseth’s
hard work, friendliness, respect for others and herself, being
accountable for her actions and decisions all add up to one
thing--Lindsay is a very worthy recipient of a 2006-2007 American
Youth Character Award. |
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Cassandra
Kraft
is a Senior attending Minot High School. Cassandra is the daughter
of Lenora Kraft. Cassandra was nominated by her school counselor,
Kathy Steig. Mrs. Steig shares that Cassie is a shining example
of genuine ‘goodness’ possessing a real ‘inner
strength of character’. Cassandra has overcome many obstacles
in her life. Her father died at a young age leaving Cassandra
and her Mom without an abundance of financial resources. Cassie
helps with expenses by having a part time job, but she still
maintains a high grade point average and manages to be involved
in school activities. She always strives to make good decisions
in her life. She surrounds herself with positive people and
she always keeps a positive outlook on everything. Cassie is
a Student Guide at Magic City Campus. She, also, is involved
in Key Club and serves as a Character Counts mentor. Cassie
was co-chairperson of a large toy collection effort at Magic
City Campus and she was instrumental in delivering the toys
to Trinity Hospital’s Children’s Ward. She always
treats others with great respect and places others before herself.
Cassandra Kraft is definitely a person of great character and
very deserving to receive a 2006-2007 American Youth
Character Award.
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Amber
Kroke
is a Senior attending Bishop Ryan High School. Amber is the
daughter of Jay and Kathy Kroke. She was nominated by JoAnn
Schapp, teacher at Ryan. Amber Kroke is a remarkable, caring
young lady. JoAnn Schapp shares that Amber is heavily involved
in STAND (Students Turning Around North Dakota) and SADD (Students
Against Destructive Decisions). Amber is determined to help
others stop making destructive decisions in their lives! Amber,
also, helped organize and run the first ‘Kick Butts Day’
in Minot where area 5th and 6th graders were invited to attend
the all-day educational conference where important information
concerning smoking and the importance of staying away from this
risky habit was taught in interesting ways. Amber is
also involved in drama, Student Council, Key Club, Speech
Team, Liturgy Choir, and Honor Society. She is the class president
in Student Council and the secretary in Key Club. Amber’s
infectious good attitude and sense of direction show through
in her employment, her academic studies, and in numerous extracurricular
activities. She is a wonderful example of how character really
does count in this community! Amber’s beliefs, attitudes,
and actions do exemplify the six pillars of character. Amber
continues to give back to the community through helping with
the local Kiwanis Organization and helping with the food drive
during the holiday season. She really cares. Amber Kroke is
definitely a person of great character and very deserving to
receive a 2006-2007 American Youth Character Award. |
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Mason
Eisenzimmer
is
an 8th grade student attending Erik Ramstad Middle School. Mason
is the son of Gary and Peggy Eisenzimmer. Mason was nominated
by his school counselor, Bryn Iverson. Mason is a young
man of tremendous character. He really strives to be his own
man with the courage to do and say what he believes is right
while respecting those around him. Mason is a kind and compassionate
person who leads by example. Mason sacrifices his time and personal
agenda to always be dependable. He is the kind of person that
brightens your day when he walks into the room. His smile is
contagious thus giving him the nickname of ‘Smiley’.
Mason is also very creative and often wears the title, ‘Little
E.’, across the back of his sweatshirt showing that even
shorter students aren’t hampered to do very big things
in this world! Mason is active in cross country and swimming,
he also assists with Ramstad’s school television station
(KRAM), he enjoys playing drums and plays in the school’s
band and jazz band. Mason has participated in Western Plains
Children’s Choir and summer theater and with the Mouse
River Theater. He is active in church and volunteers in the
community with every opportunity that arises. Because Mason
Eisenzimmer believes that having good character is a very important
quality that people need to work for in life, Mason is a student
worthy to receive a 2006-2007 American Youth Character Award.
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Micah
Holmen
is
an 8th grade student attending Erik Ramstad Middle School. He
is the son of Barry and Lynae Holmen. Micah was nominated by
his school counselor, Bryn Iverson. Micah is an exemplary
role model who epitomizes what it means to have great character.
His care and concern for others is always noted wherever he
happens to be. Micah is an outstanding student and he’s
a good person of great character. Micah is, also, talented musically
and athletically where he leads by good example. Micah
is every teacher and parent’s dream. Micah is always motivated
to try his best and he is so coachable. Micah’s
willingness to give back to our community is seen when volunteering
to clean and rake in the area parks and to pickup around the
school grounds. When a project needs to be completed--Micah
is one of the first to volunteer. Micah’s outstanding
integrity, excellent sense of social consciousness, and great
compassion, makes him an ideal choice to receive a 2006-2007
American Youth Character Award. |
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Jacob
Thrailkill
is an 8th grade student attending Jim Hill Middle School. He
is the son of Harry and Julie Thrailkill. Jacob was nominated
by Ragene Sovak, teacher at Jim Hill. Mrs. Sovak shares that
Jacob has a wonderful attitude and is kind to everyone. He demonstrates
the pillars of good character each and everyday. He has been
exceptional with a new student from India who arrived in America
just in time to begin school this year at Jim Hill. Jacob has
gone above and beyond in being a real friend to our new student.
He has made sure that the new student has someone to visit with
during lunch, he introduced this student to the soccer coach
and has made sure that this student knows when and where practices
are held. Jacob intends to invite the new student and his family
for supper at their home so that his parents can, also, become
friends of this new friend’s parents. Jacob demonstrates
real leadership qualities. He was instrumental in organizing
the phone book drive, the Stuff-A-Truck Food Drive, working
with the Restore Store, the Domestic Violence Center, and helping
serve Thanksgiving dinner at the Parker Center. Jacob volunteers
to help those in the neighborhood who are unable to do their
own yard work. Jacob has volunteered at the Milton Young Towers,
cleaned in his church, helped remodel the youth room at his
church, and he really enjoys assisting in services with Metigoshe
Ministries. Jacob is a perfect example of what good character
can look like among today’s youth. Jacob Thrailkill truly
is a very deserving recipient of the 2006-2007 American Youth
Character Award.
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Honorable
Mention Awards from the left:
Blake Eggl, Lauren Hankla , Cassie Young, Jordan Morgan,
Annette Olson (Miss North Dakota), Carrie Smith, Trevor Magnuson,
Travis Waswick, & Ian Thompson. Not Pictured: Matthew
Schimke.
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Minot Character Counts! Coalition realizes that building character
doesn't take place in a vacuum and that it takes many
folks pulling together in order to make lasting character changes
in our community. The Minot Character Counts! Coalition
recognized the numerous accomplishments of one such ‘Character
Builder’ and was very pleased to present the first Minot
Character Counts! Coalition Character Builder Award to Dr. Lowell
Latimer during the 2006-2007 annual Youth Character Awards
Banquet.
Dr. Latimer is in his 51st year with the Minot Public
School system promoting education and building great character
in all the varying jobs and numerous projects that he’s
been involved with over these many years.
Whether serving as a classroom teacher, an Elementary Principal,
Supervising Elementary Principals, acting in the capacity of
Central Office Administrator, Assistant Superintendent of Schools,
Superintendent of Schools, State PTA President, involvement
with local, state, and national PTA, working with Dollars For
Scholars, working with Hostfest in the Schools, Phi Delta Kappa,
Golden Oakes, Minot Chamber of Commerce, Lion’s Club President,
and presently in his 13th year as Executive Director for the
Minot Public School Foundation--Dr. Lowell Latimer truly is
dedicated to the promotion of great character in all individuals,
but especially in the youth of our wonderful community. He is
a member of First Lutheran Church and has served as a council
member, sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, and presently
is an usher at the church. Dr. Latimer still continues to volunteer
his time in our schools. As the energizer bunny keeps going
and going, Dr. Latimer continues making differences in our community
and in the lives of students. He truly is a ‘Home-Town
Hero’! Congratulations to Dr. Lowell Latimer for receiving
this prestigious award. |
| Dr.
Lowell Latimer is shown above receiving the Minot Character
Counts! Coalition Character Builder Award from Annette
Olson, Miss North Dakota. |
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| Mr.
James Vossler from Minot State University is shown above greeting
everyone to the Banquet.Terry Voiles, Principal of Bishop Ryan
High School and Master of Ceremonies for the banquet, is shown
on the right. |
The
National Anthem & Flags were presented by the Minot High School
JROTC.
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Our
Redeemers Christian School Hand Bells Choir under the direction of
Mrs. Lynette Tonneson provided the entertainment.
This
page was created on February 8, 2007
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