Thirty-two high school juniors from communities throughout the state have been selected as the 2007 ExCEL Award winners.

Sponsored by the Minnesota State High School League, ExCEL &8212; Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership &8212; is a unique recognition program designed exclusively for high school juniors. Students who are active in fine arts and athletic activities, who show leadership qualities, and who are model citizens are eligible for the award. Close to 300 students were nominated by their schools this year.

New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva&8217;s Andrew Harrington was one of the talented juniors selected this year.

&8220;The 2007 Excel award winners are extraordinary individuals who shine throughout the year with a strong sense of school pride and community loyalty,&8221; said Lisa Lissimore, the League associate director who oversees the program.

KSTC TV, Channel 45, the League&8217;s broadcast partner, will recognize the 2007 ExCEL award

recipients during its broadcast of the 2007 State Girls&8217; Hockey Tournament February 23-24.

Each student will also participate in an on-court award ceremony during halftime of the Class AA girls&8217; basketball championship game on March 17.

Following is the list of the 2007 ExCEL Award winners:

Student

School

Santiago Escobar

Madelia

Donald Fahey-Ahrndt

Norwood-Young America

Chelsea Backer

Lakeville South

Erianne Bright

Cherry, Iron

Heather Brunn

Rogers

Rachel Crowley

Yellow Medicine East, Granite Falls

Hannah Demmer

New Richland-H-E-G

John Dunlap

Little Falls

Courtney Frank

Benson

Laura Freudenberg

Foley

Megan Gaard

Edina

Christopher Gooch

Nevis

Ellen Gustafson

Houston

Andrew Harrington

New Richland-H-E-G

Laishema Hampton

St. Louis Park

Megan Howard

St. Paul Central

Ally Huang

Eastview, Apple Valley

Ali Khalili

Byron

Matthew Kamrath

Hutchinson

Amanda Kuseske

Kimball

Carlos Luna

St. Paul Humboldt

Charles Lehnen

St. Agnes, St. Paul

Naana Mensah

Tartan, Oakdale

Jason Mooty

Eden Prairie

Brian Mueller

Swanville

Amy Jo Opsal

St. Clair

David Pallesen

Buffalo

Rebecca Polansky

Grygla

Austin Quade

Westbrook-Walnut Grove

Adam Stainiger

Chisholm

David Tomporowski

Perham

Anna Zelenz

St. Peter