Marshall High School seniors Luke Jones and Morgan Radel have been selected as Triple A Award winners to represent MHS at the Minnesota State High School League region banquet Sunday in recognition of their achievements in academics, sports and the arts during their high school careers.

MARSHALL

What does it take to become a Triple A Award winner? For Marshall High School seniors Luke Jones of Marshall and Morgan Radel of Arco, it means a high school career full of activities that they enjoy and know will benefit them in the future.

Each year, the Minnesota State High School League sponsors various recognition programs for students who participate in league sponsored activities. One of these awards is the Triple A Award for seniors which Jones and Radel will be receiving Sunday evening at a regional awards banquet.

Nomination criteria state that a nominee must be a high school senior at the time of the nomination. Nominations are limited to two qualifying students per school, one male and one female.

The purpose of the program is to recognize and honor high school seniors who have excelled in the classroom, on the athletic field and in the fine arts, MHS Activities Director Bruce Remme said.

Also it is to elevate academic standards and create greater awareness of league-sponsored activities and their values and to provide member schools of the league with the opportunity to participate in a statewide program that supports, promotes and recognizes academic and extracurricular achievements, Remme said.

“Luke and Morgan have been chosen to represent Marshall Public Schools,” Remme said. “These two individuals have demonstrated excellence in each of the outlined criteria.”

Jones and Radel each have met all the criteria, completed the application form and submitted it to the administrative region secretary by the specified date.

“I included my sports on the application: baseball career (MHS was third in state), basketball (also third in state) and cross country, and how I received awards in those sports,” Jones said. “I play alto saxophone in the marching band and jazz band, was a drum major for marching band, and I play standing bass in the orchestra.”

Jones said he had received an award for his participation in basketball and also taught himself how to play the piano.

“I like to be involved in all the different activities,” Radel said. “I’m in cross country, with a trip to state and an All-Conference title. I also play softball, compete in Knowledge Bowl and am a member of the Honor Society.”

Radel said that athletics, arts and academic challenges taught her to work her hardest in each area, especially academics.

Both students agree that it is nice to be recognized for their achievements. Additionally, the Triple A state winner receives a $4,000 scholarship and every Triple A Award recipient will have a higher chance at other scholarships with this one on their resume, Radel said.

“It also helps you get into a more prestigious college,” Jones said.

Jones is planning to attend Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, where his brother is currently a senior. He is undecided as to a major, but it will be something in music education or business and marketing, he said.

Radel plans to attend the University of Minnesota Duluth where she will be able to continue her cross country running and major in environmental sustainability.

As representatives from MHS, their applications have been submitted with others from Region 2AA, and they and their parents will be attending a banquet at Gustavus in St. Peter on Sunday where the region winners will be announced, Remme said.