Six high-achieving juniors receive awards from prestigious colleges on May 15

A group of high-achieving students received Junior Book Awards from prestigious colleges at a ceremony on May 9 in the Career Center at Burnsville High School.

Each year, colleges present these awards to 11th-grade students across the country in recognition of their outstanding academic accomplishments, as well as their dedication to learning, leadership, school involvement and community service. Each award recipient receives a book that is connected to the college in some way, often written by a professor or graduate.

Burnsville High School students who received Junior Book Awards this year are:

• Solyana Bein — Columbia University
• Parvina Yusupova — Dartmouth College
• Feven Tesfaye — Harvard University
• Shalom Chakiso — Smith College
• John White — U of M Norman Borlaug Science Achievement Award
• Winston Ekstrand — Yale University

Student Biographies

Solyana Bein 

Solyana embodies the Columbia spirit of community activism through her curiosity about impactful historical policies, her visits out of the country, and a desire to make an impact. She's logged countless hours of volunteer work to BrainPower in a Backpack, local food shelves and Feed My Starving Children, all while concurrently enrolled in the Associate of Arts Degree Pathway program. She consistently makes the "A" Honor Roll. She brings her creative side to engineering problems and costume design, winning the MN Spotlight Award for her work on the Mean Girls production. She is an established student leader at Burnsville, president of DECA, and the costumes manager with the theatre guild. She plans to combine design and math/science skills in civil engineering or aerospace.

Parvina Yusupova 

Parvina is an initiator to create change. She founded the Burnsville Polyglot Club as a place to call home for students who speak multiple languages. Last year, she earned a Certificate of Achievement from the American Psychological Association for her research on music and the human psyche. Parvina consistently makes the "A" Honor Roll. She plans to study biochemistry in college, with her worldview that everything is alive and connected; also this summer at Harvard University's Secondary Summer School. Other activities include Emergency Medical Services, National Honor Society, Quiz Bowl, stocking medical supplies at Fairview Ridges Hospital and Brainpower in a Backpack. 

Feven Tesfaye

Feven's teachers describe her as "one of the best students I've had in a long time .. integrity beyond reproach." She is ranked #1 in her classl. She prods her book club and extra English classes to read the classics and is fascinated by the Hero's Quest in Greek mythology. She has volunteered over 277 hours as Burnsville High School's Blood Drive coordinator, Memorial Center's MN Youth Council and Burnsville League of Women Voters. As a student representative for Congressional District 2, she has worked with legislators drafting policies for climate literacy. She also works with the Youth Environmental Activist Network, to inspire Democratic and Republican support for K-12 environmental education, and has won multiple speech and debate awards.

Shalom Chakiso

Shalom is a student leader in many domains. She leads by example, epitomizing the Smith life of service, having volunteered 630 hours through lnnerview and the National Honor Society. Her leadership positions have included the Youth Service Advisory Council, secretary of Black Girl Magic, treasurer of Black Student Union and Student Council. Her volunteer work includes Link Crew, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, TRIO Upward Bound, and board member of the Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee. She is currently earning her Associate of Arts degree from Inver Hills Community college while in high school. Her university sociology professor notes that she is a fantastic student and consistently makes the "A" Honor Roll. 

John White 

John is a highly-disciplined young man who has an extraordinary visual memory and ability to persevere. John tried out Fabrication Manufacturing as a freshman and became hooked on engineering, CAD drafting, the remote control car project and STEM subjects. After the intense concentration in the lab, he literally runs off steam – for several miles! He has lettered three years in cross country and is the captain of the team. Distance running has taught him to finish projects regardless of the obstacles. He has volunteered 158 hours of service to middle school track/cross country events and teaching children to ice skate. He has also participated in hockey, track, DECA and National Honor Society, consistently making the "A" Honor Roll. 

Winston Ekstrand 

Winston is a loquacious, intellectual spirit. One can find Winston in the Associate of Arts office, debating philosophy and logic problems with his classmates. While studying philosophers, such as Camus, he also writes his own poetry and recites it as part of the speech team. He is preparing for a possible future law career through the YMCA Youth In Government program, presenting a bill in the House of Representatives and being honored by sitting in both of his representatives' seats. He consistently makes the "A" Honor Roll. As one of the leaders in Brainpower in a Backpack, he helped lead the packing of over 800 food bags per week this year. He plans a double major in politics and philosophy.