Sponsored by the Minnesota State High School League, the ExCEL Award recognizes high school juniors who are active in fine arts and/or athletic activities and who demonstrate leadership qualities and who are model citizens in their community. ExCEL award recipients will be selected by an independent panel of judges from schools around the state. Award recipients will be announced via the League website on Monday, Feb. 6. 

Each recipient will be shown on 45TV during the broadcast of the 2023 winter tournaments. They also will appear at an on-court award ceremony during the Class AA championship game of the Girls Basketball State Tournament in March.

Out of the many students in Owatonna High School who demonstrated these leadership qualities, two finalists were picked. Ethan Armstrong, junior at OHS, is one of two 2023 ExCEL award nominees. Armstrong is involved in NHS, Big Brothers Big Sisters, football, baseball, and Shrek the upcoming school musical.  Armstrong’s leadership and dedication towards school is met with a positive attitude. Armstrong said, “I work as hard as I can when doing extracurriculars and to make them as enjoyable as possible.” 

Armstrong makes sure to have his school work done before anything else and that his parents are always helpful to make sure he stays on track. Armstrong doesn’t take this honor lightly especially since colleges will be able to see that he has earned it.

Aubri Werk,  junior at OHS, is the other finalist   to achieve this award. Werk is involved in soccer, Mock Trial, Key Club, SHOC, DECA, Knowledge Bowl, NHS and Link Crew. Being nominated for this award takes leadership and for some it comes natural. Werk said, “Part of my leadership just comes from my personality.”

She also stated that staying organized and having a variety of passions is able to help her stay interested. Along with many students, Werk has grown throughout her high school career. She was involved in three sports her freshman year and not much else. This year, she is in her main sport and a lot more clubs. Werk is very appreciative of the people who knowingly and unknowingly got her to where she is now, and thanks her parents, who’ve helped and pushed her. She also thanks her mock trial coach and history teacher Ms. Laura Epland who encouraged her to do more with Mock Trial. Not only did Epland help Werk get more involved throughout the school, but she is a big role model to Werk. 

Armstrong and Werk are clear candidates for this award. Owatonna Athletic Director Marc Achterkirch said, “Both Aubri and Ethan are great representatives and well deserving, they’re great kids, great students and they do a lot in our community with great leadership within our building and we’re honored to have them go represent our Owatonna High School.” Armstrong and Werk put a great deal of work towards their success and high school education and are now getting recognition from the staff and students in OHS.