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By David Krenz

Austin Public Schools Superintendent

Included in the long list of cancelations this school year was our annual Honor Roll Luncheon, which recognizes Austin High School and Pacelli Catholic School students earning a 4.0 GPA the first semester of the school year.

This event, now in its 19th year, is hosted by Hormel CEO James Snee and members of his Executive Team, along with Austin High School Principal Andrea Malo, Pacelli Principal Jean McDermott and me at the Hormel Sales Cabin. Students are treated to lunch and are each recognized for their outstanding academic accomplishment.

This year’s honorees include:

• 9th Grade AHS Students: Maggie Benson, Maxwell Bissen, Carson Cannon, Sydney Caruso, Vida Curtis, Katherine Diaz, Mary Eich, Joseph Ewing, Joseph Garry, Thomas Herrick, Andrew Keenan, Rayna Krebsbach, Ruby Kvam, Zoe Opsahl, Claire Raymond, Kaitlyn Riskedahl, Cassidy Shute, Isaac Stromlund, Nora Tweeten, David Vu, Rebecca Wicks and Cheney Yao

• 9th Grade Pacelli Students: Kendahl Lewis, Neha Thawani Nanda and Winston Walkup

• 10th Grade AHS Students: Kennedy Bell, Kamryn Berglund, Aunica Groh, Isikiyah Hemann, Kate Holtz, Lucy Masara, Meredith Murphy, Kate Oelfke and Reana Schmitt

•10th Grade Pacelli Students: Caitlin Drees, Ellen Horvat, Sam King and Miriam Rosas

• 11th Grade AHS Students: Siri Ansorge, Emily Curtis, Kory Engelstad, Molly Garry, Jackson Goetz, Riley Haugen, Teyghan Hovland, Olivia Johnson, Emma Keenan, Keagan Larson, Eric Mangelen, Maria Morey, Ella Muzik, Chloe Schmitt, Katie Shin, Briella Wempner and Eric Yang

• 11th Grade Pacelli Students: Zach Bollingberg and Jayden Lewis

• 12th Grade AHS Students: Dominic Apolo, Emily Bollum, Chloey Camerer, Elizabeth Carlson, Rachel Christenson, Ellen Eyre, Johanna Geannakouri, Jacob Grove, Warren Hall, Madison Herrick, Blythe Johnson, Ethan Johnson, Sophia Kvam, Emma Lenway, Kathryn Lillemon, Isabel Mattick, Grace Mayer, Abigail Muller, Kyle Murley, Trey Myers, Natalie Nunez, Fayth Nystel, Teren Olvera, Hannah Pike, Morgan Raymond, Ku Reh, Lillian Reynen, Ariana Shapinsky, Olivia Shapinsky, Jacob Venenga, Thomas Walker, Tori Watkins, Robin Weaver and Noah Zimmerman

• 12th Grade Pacelli Students: Rory Bickler, Vanessa Cotter, Shenali DeSilva, Rachel Nelsen, Johnny Nguyen, Goamaar Paul and Whitney Walkup

In addition, special recognition is presented to our 12th grade students who have qualified for this luncheon all four years of high school. This year’s honorees from the Class of 2020 include Emily Bollum, Rachel Christenson, Madison Herrick, Ethan Johnson, Kathryn Lillemon, Abigail Muller, Fayth Nystel, Morgan Raymond, Lillian Reynen, Jacob Venenga, Tori Watkins and Robin Weaver.

Congratulations to all these students for demonstrating the strong work ethic and determination to obtain this outstanding academic achievement. We are extremely proud of you and wish you continued success.