Two Athletes, Scholars from BHS Nominated for the ExCEL Award

Two Savage students have been put forward by District 191 for the annual ExCEL Awards, a statewide accolade conferred by the Minnesota High School League. Juniors Hannah Keirstead and Jack O'Brien will both be in the running for the honor.

Keirstead and O'Brien have long been living in parallel. Both attended Marion W. Savage Elementary before beginning their secondary education at Eagle Ridge Junior High and Burnsville High School. At BHS, the two have distinguished themselves in academics, sports (soccer and wrestling, respectively), and extracurriculars like the Student Council and National Honor Society. 

"Both students are tremendous leaders, who are not only extremely positive and motivating, but also do an amazing job of leading by example as shown in their hard work, diligence, and commitment to excellence," said Jeff Marshall, activities and athletics director at BHS. 

Every school in the League can nominate one girl and one boy for the award. An independent panel of judges from schools throughout Minnesota will select statewide ExCEL Award recipients over January. On Feb. 1, winners will be recognized on KSTC-TV (Channel 45) during upcoming winter sports tournaments. 

Last year's nominees were Britta Riggs and Jesse Beane.