All-Star Student

With half a dozen classmates often admiring her creations in class, Cathedral junior Ramona Kuhn says she’s had an endless eagerness to create art her entire life. She's created so much art over the years that her father built shelves at home to hold her pieces.

16-year-old Alexandra Lee has had dreams of working in the medial field for years and she already has plenty of experience. The Saint John’s Prep junior has over two years of volunteering experience at St. Cloud Hospital and loves the chance to interact with patients by delivering snacks and mail to their rooms.

Since the 4th grade, Pierz Healy High School senior Cassie Virnig has had a never-ending passion for acting and theater. With an outgoing personality and a sense of energy that never seems to run out, Cassie isn't afraid to constantly try new characters, personalities and even accents.

For as long as she can remember, South Junior High 7th grader Ashley Tarrolly has loved playing tennis. She’s been playing since she was two years old, even though the racket was almost bigger than her.

For 15-year-old Beth-el Algarin, powerlifting and setting world records has become a way of life. The Pierz teenager trains with her father Luis, who's been her coach since starting her with the weights when she was just eight years old.

Described by teachers and fellow volunteers as consistent, caring and dependable, Foley High School senior Ben Kraemer has become a role model for numerous children in Central Minnesota. Over the past several years, Kraemer has spent much of his time involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters.

At just 10-years-old, Talahi Community school 5th grader Mackenzie Oksa can already tell people that she’s been an elected official. She was recently elected mayor of BizTown: which is part of a junior achievement program that gives kids a chance to run a miniature town for a day by themselves.

For six-year-old Kaitlyn Reichel and her Mom Cindy, cooking has become a chance to bond and spend time together. It's also given them a unique chance to give back to the community. The 1st grade Pine Meadow Elementary student recently entered a national contest in hopes of winning $30,000 for her school.

With an enthusiastic sense of humor and a huge smile, there’s hardly anyone who doesn’t know 1st grader Austin Opsahl at Mississippi Heights Elementary. Austin has down syndrome and is a student in the essential living skills programs. One of his favorite parts of school is getting to see friends and play football.

Grace Houston kicked my butt in arm wrestling. This shouldn't come as a surprise, considering I've always been a horrible arm wrestler. But more importantly, it's because the 12-year-old Kennedy Community School student has been dominating the competition for years.