Four Robbinsdale Area Schools high school students nominated for MSHSL's Triple 'A' awards

Four Robbinsdale Area Schools students from Armstrong and Cooper high schools were nominated for Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) Region 6AA Academics, Arts, and Athletics (Triple “A”) Awards.

Two seniors from each school were recognized. Matthew Holten and Kelsey Sather are representing Armstrong, and Aliza Beverage and Corey Loken are representing Cooper.

Matthew Holten - Armstrong High School (second from left)

Matthew Holten maintains a 4.0 GPA, and has taken more than nine AP courses, including physics and calculus. He has participated in the Armstrong Chamber Singers, choir and the MSHSL Solo/Ensemble Contest, NHS, Student Council and the Chess Club. He played varsity boys soccer, and has been on the varsity tennis team since seventh grade, serving as captain for two years. Matthew has also volunteered 150 hours at North Memorial Hospital.

He plans on attending the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, and intends to major in biological studies while participating in the university choir and tennis clubs.

Kelsey Sather - Armstrong High School (right)

Kelsey Sather also maintains a 4.0 GPA, and will have taken 11 AP courses by the time she graduates this spring. She has participated in choir, the MSHSL Solo/Ensemble Contest for both choir and orchestra, and has played the violin since age 4. In athletics, Kelsey has been captain of both the varsity volleyball team and varsity Nordic skiing team, and also competed on the varsity Track and Field team.

She plans on attending Concordia College-Moorhead or the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, and majoring in chemistry and engineering while participating in volleyball, cross country, track and field, or orchestra.

Corey Loken - Cooper High School (second from right)

Corey Loken is in the top 1 percent of his senior class at Cooper. He is also an IB Diploma candidate, meaning he has taken Cooper’s highest level of math, science, English, social studies and foreign language. In addition to the rigorous classes, diploma candidates also have to complete additional extended essays and service hours.

He has also played the violin in Cooper’s Symphonic Orchestra, having played the instrument since kindergarten. In addition to fine arts, Corey is a captain of the varsity boys tennis team. For college, he plans to attend St. Olaf or Luther, and major in business or finance.

Aliza Beverage - Cooper High School (left)

Aliza Beverage has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout high school. She has accomplished this while being an IB Diploma candidate student, which is Cooper’s most rigorous pathway. She is first in her senior class. Aliza participates in sports during all three seasons of the school year. She was a captain of the varsity girls swim team, and part of a Cooper record-breaking relay team. During the winter, she is a member of the varsity Nordic ski team, and also participates on the track team in the spring, where her signature sport is the pole vault.

In addition to her outstanding academic record, Aliza is also an active leader at Cooper. She is a member of Link Crew and president of the National Honor Society. She is still undecided on where she is going to college, but plans to major in physics.

Established in 1988, the Academics, Arts, and Athletics Award (Triple “A” Award) is sponsored by the MSHSL. The award goes to high school seniors who have a “B” or better grade point average and who participate in League-sponsored athletic and fine arts activities.

Triple “A” Award recipients are selected by a multi-level process involving the league’s member schools and administrative regions. League officials will announce the four award recipients (a girl and a boy from both a Class “A” and Class “AA” school) at a ceremony this spring. Each award recipient will receive a four-year $1,000 scholarship.

Additional information about the Triple “A” Award may be obtained by contacting the MSHSL at 763-560-2262 or by visiting mshsl.org.