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| Minnesota MILE Announces the Second Annual Xtra MILE Awards Recipients for Excellence in Leadership and Youth-related Initiatives September 16th, 2006 |
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Overdrive Alumni Award to Nicole Kempenich, Little Falls, MN; this award honors an Alumnus who mirrors the core values instilled through the Minnesota MILE organization. Ms. Kempenich has been an invaluable contributor to the Minnesota MILE organization over the past four years since she attended the seminar. Not only has she performed many different jobs as a member of the MILE Alumni Board, but she has also spearheaded projects, events, and alumni initiatives throughout the state. Nicole is also active in both her local and college communities, continuing to represent the MILE organization in the best possible fashion. |
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Self-Starter Award to Michael Minks, Duluth, MN; this award honors a student for exemplary academic efforts, leadership contribution, and volunteerism in their community. Mr. Minks recently finished a three-year term as the Youth Co-Chair of the Minnesota Alliance With Youth and graduated Cum Laude and with All-College Honors from Saint John’s University with a degree in English and Secondary Education. He is currently serving a second year as an AmeriCorps Promise Fellow with the Minnesota Alliance With Youth and working on a masters degree through the Center for Advocacy and Political Leadership at the University of Minnesota in Duluth. Mike works closely with the Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota, Carol Molnau, and has been involved in that state’s Promise effort for many years, including as a former State Officer of Minnesota Family Career, and Community Leaders of America, a Twin Cities’ Promise Youth Advisory Council member, a Peace Jam task force member, an America’s Promise national Youth Partnership Team member, a 2004-2006 Phillips Scholar, and a 05-06 AmeriCorps Promise Fellow. |
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Catalytic Contributor Award to Dave Walters, St. Louis Park , MN; this award recognizes an enthusiastic adult who serves as a role model for student leadership. Recently retired from teaching, Mr. Walters served as a role model for every student who passed through his classroom door. He is a man who is so dynamic, so intense, and so enthralled with the lives of his students that his energy transmits to everyone around him. Mr. Walters helped students not only excel in the classroom, but also develop personally and as leaders in their communities. |
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Supercharged Influencer Award to Associate Justice Alan C. Page, Minnesota State Supreme Court; this award honors the personal involvement and interaction by a “celebrity” influencer who invests time to promote youth leadership. Justice Alan C. Page’s foundation, The Page Education Foundation, focuses on providing post-secondary opportunities to minority and other disadvantaged youth who would otherwise not have those opportunities. As part of their Page Grant commitment, Page Scholars work with elementary school students as tutors, mentors, and role models. |
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Differential Injector Award to Davanni’s Pizza; this award honors a business that serves and provides support to youth and youth-oriented programs. Davanni’s embodies best practices in the youth work place. Building a strong company culture, encouraging parental involvement, and supporting local community initiatives have all contributed to their company’s success. Davanni's Pizza has discovered that a commitment to youth development helps both the business and the kids. The business benefits by low turnover, profitability, and high customer and employee satisfaction. The kids benefit by learning how education relates to their work life now and in the future. |
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Community Ignition Award to Project SUCCESS (Adrienne Diercks, Executive Director) ; this award honors a non-profit organization that has made a unique contribution to the youth of Minnesota. Project SUCCESS provides a diverse offering of programs for our 8,000 area students. These programs are designed to serve each student for six years—from middle school through high school. The program is comprised of the following components: Goal-Setting Workshops in the Classroom, Theater Experiences, One-on-One Assistance, College Tours, and Special Programming. All components work within the Project SUCCESS philosophy, which is to provide a non-judgmental, supportive setting where students can speak out and be heard, and where they learn to assess themselves and their options regarding their future. All program components are designed to help your student gain confidence in creative thinking, decision making, goal setting, and resourcefulness while developing the skills to plan their future. |
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