St. Anthony Village High School (SAVHS) has nominated Kathleen Morrison and Lu Chaput for the Minnesota State High School League’s (MSHSL) annual ExCEL Award. The ExCEL Award - Excellence in Community, Education, and Leadership - is a unique recognition program designed exclusively for Minnesota high school juniors who are active in school activities, leaders in their schools, and who demonstrate a strong commitment to community service.
To be eligible to be nominated for this award, the student must be a junior in high school, be making satisfactory progress toward graduation, participate in an MSHSL fine arts and/or athletic activity, hold a leadership position in their school, volunteer in their community, and meet MSHSL general eligibility requirements.
Kathleen Morrison is active both at SAVHS and within the broader community. In the fall, Kathleen can be found managing the volleyball team, where she lettered in both 2021 and 2022. Since entering high school, Kathleen has been involved in Student Council and the Homecoming Committee, and this year she was eligible to become a National Honor Society member. In addition, Kathleen is a two-time member of the A Honor Roll and has once been named to the B Honor Roll.
Outside of school, Kathleen volunteers her time with Extreme Faith Camp, Kemps Little Farm Hands, and Special Olympics. At Extreme Faith Camp, Kathleen is part of the Core Team and is a Youth Leader for middle school and elementary students. Kathleen also holds a leadership role within Special Olympics, serving as a Unified Student Board Member, and in the summer she volunteers at the Minnesota State Fair with Kemps Little Farm Hands.
Lu Chaput also boasts a full résumé, being involved with athletics, activities, and fine arts at SAVHS, while also volunteering in the community. Lu has been on the cross country team since ninth grade, and currently serves as a captain of the team. He also was part of the track team during his freshman and sophomore seasons.
Within fine arts, Lu is a member of the concert band, jazz band, pep band, and marching band. He has been a part of various state honor bands throughout his high school career and will serve as a section leader this year for marching band. In addition, Lu participated in one year of theater, and is joining the speech team for this upcoming season. He is a three-year member of the Knowledge Bowl team and participates in Science Olympiad. During his freshman year he was involved with Model United Nations and this year he is tutoring students on the trombone. Lu is a three-time A Honor Roll member and is currently leading an effort to add a boys club volleyball team at SAVHS.
With the cross country team, Lu has volunteered at both the Twin Cities Marathon and a youth cross country clinic. He also refs youth soccer and is a Student Representative on the Booster Soccer Board.
The ExCEL Award recipients will be selected by an independent panel of judges from schools throughout Minnesota and winners will be announced on the MSHSL website in early February.
Congratulations, Kathleen and Lu!