Congratulations to Leilani Abraham and Luca Stewart-Mariuci on being named St. Anthony Village High School’s ExCEL Award winners!

Every year SAVHS has the chance to recognize two junior students through the Minnesota State High School League’s ExCEL Award program. The ExCEL Award - Excellence in Community, Education, and Leadership - is designed to recognize students who participate in school activities, are leaders in the school, and demonstrate a strong commitment to community service.

Leilani is a strong student, being among the top of her class with a GPA above 4.0.  She also plays the alto saxophone in the symphonic band. Outside the classroom, she is a captain of the basketball team and has competed in soccer and track and field. Last season, Leilani earned All-Conference Honorable Mention honors in the triple jump. In addition to athletics, Leilani is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, and Key Club. She has volunteered in the community in a variety of different ways which include volunteering at the Kiwanis Christmas party serving kids with special needs, raising money for both Feed My Starving Children and to buy kids at St. Jude’s Christmas presents, and being a speaker at an SDLG student-led event.

Luca joins Leilani at the top of the class, also posting a GPA above 4.0 while being involved in many different school-based activities. Luca is in the SAVHS choir and excels in theater and speech. He has had a major role in many of the school’s productions and last year, he helped the speech team win the Tri-Metro Championship, qualified for the state meet, and was one of the first students in school history to qualify and compete at speech nationals. Luca is a member of Youth in Government and the National Honor Society. He has volunteered his time for Saint Anthony Community Theater (SACT) as a performer and youth representative on the board. Last year, he helped middle school theater with a student-directed show and he has packed meals at Feed My Starving Children.