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BHS juniors honored for leadership, academic excellence and service

BHS juniors honored for leadership, academic excellence and service

Burnsville High School (BHS) has nominated juniors Feven Tesefaye and Adam Schaeffer as this year’s ExCEL Award (Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership) recipients. 

Feven is an accomplished student who excels in debate and speech while consistently earning ‘A's in her courses. She serves as a junior officer on the BHS Student Council and has taken significant leadership roles in various school initiatives, including leading research for the Women in STEM club and organizing schoolwide blood drives. 

"Feven is a natural leader in debate and has moved from a competitor position to a junior coaching position," noted Alicia Vonderharr, BHS teacher and debate assistant advisor. "She is quick-witted and clever with unparalleled critical-thinking skills." 

Earning two President's Volunteer Service Awards, Feven has made significant contributions through the Minnesota and National Youth Leadership Councils. Her collaborative spirit extends throughout the school community. 

"Her willingness to collaborate with groups of students of varying races, backgrounds, faiths, and interests shows her ability to bridge any differences while still knowing her own mind and values," Vonderharr added.

Adam is an honor roll student and three-sport athlete, participating in track and field, cross country running and Nordic ski racing. As team captain in cross country, he demonstrates strong leadership skills both on and off the course. Perhaps Adam's greatest contribution has been with younger athletes, as he consistently takes time to interact with and mentor them in the sport's drills and routines. 

“Adam is a strong and dedicated leader,” said Nate Strand, BHS social studies teacher and cross country coach. "He was one of the captains of the team last year and was voted to continue in that role next season as well. He is someone who the coaching staff can rely on to do what is needed for the team, most of the time without any prompting."

Both students expressed gratitude for the recognition. "Receiving the ExCel Award fills me with gratitude for being part of the Burnsville community, which has offered me countless opportunities to take on leadership roles and create a positive impact both within the school and the broader community," said Feven. "I am deeply honored by this recognition and look forward to continuing my growth as a leader!" 

"This award is important to me because it validates the work I put in to build the community and the sports I'm in,” Adam said. 

Sponsored by the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL), this unique recognition program is designed exclusively for Minnesota high school juniors who are active in school activities, show leadership qualities and work voluntarily in their community.

Every member school of the MSHSL is invited to nominate one girl and one boy for the ExCEL Award. Nominees must meet the following criteria:

  • be a junior in high school,
  • make satisfactory progress toward graduation,
  • participate in a MSHSL fine arts and/or athletic activity,
  • hold a leadership position(s) in their school, and 
  • work voluntarily in their community.

Feven and Adam will now be considered for the state ExCEL Award. The ExCEL Award recipients will be selected by an independent panel of judges from schools throughout Minnesota. Award recipients will be announced via the League website sometime on Feb. 4.

Each recipient will be recognized on 45TV during the broadcast of the 2025 winter state tournaments. They also will participate in an on-court award ceremony during the Class AA championship game of the Girls Basketball State Tournament in March.

For more information about the ExCEL Award, visit the MSHSL website at www.mshsl.org.