Badger High School is pleased to announce the nomination of juniors, Emily Burkel and Tryg Olson, for the Minnesota State High School League’s ExCEL Award. The ExCEL (Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership) is a program designed to recognize high school juniors who are active as volunteers in their communities, hold leadership positions within their school, participate in MSHSL sponsored activities, and perform well academically.
In January, an independent panel of judges will review applications from throughout Minnesota to select this year’s ExCEL Award recipients. Statewide winners of the 28th annual ExCEL Award will be announced on the MSHSL website on February 4, 2025, and recognized on 45TV during the winter tournaments. Statewide winners will also be recognized in an on-court ceremony during the Class AA Girls Basketball State Tournament championship game in March. Tryg Olson’s high school activities include football, basketball, golf, clay target, baseball, band, and choir. He has earned superior ratings as a vocal soloist at MSHSL competitions, is a section leader in band, has earned multiple athletic letters, and an is all-conference award winner in golf. He is a member of the National Honor Society, participates in Knowledge Bowl, Math League, the school musical, and has served on the Student Council. Tryg has spent much time volunteering around the school and community, specifically with the Badger Pacers 4H club, serving as a musician and Bible School teacher in his church, helping at the Jaycees Halloween party, and coaching youth basketball. He has earned honor roll statues throughout his high school career. Tryg’s parents are Brent and Sara Olson.
Emily Burkel has served as a class officer and a member of the Student Council throughout high school. She is very involved with FCCLA where she currently serves as area Vice President. She is a chapter officer, has earned a first place award at the State FCCLA STAR Events competition, and placed in the top 10 in the national FCCLA competition. Emily is a member of the Badger Pacers 4H club and spends lots of time volunteering in her church. Her school activities include golf, cheerleading, basketball manager, National Honor Society, Math League, Knowledge Bowl, school theater, band, and choir. She was a member of the Gator golf team that advanced to the 2024 State Golf Tournament and has earned numerous letter awards. Emily has consistently earned A honor roll status throughout high school. Emily is the daughter of John and Joni Burkel.
According to Superintendent Dan Carpenter, “Badger School is proud to announce the selection of Tryg Olson and Emily Burkel as ExCEL Award nominees for the 2024-2025 School Year. Both Tryg and Emily are involved in activities that give back to our Greater Badger community. They are also involved in many Badger School and Gator Extracurricular Activities. Tryg and Emily exemplify the spirit of the ExCEL award through their successes in the classroom, through their community volunteerism, and their efforts on the playing field and on the performance stage. I wish Tryg and Emily the best of luck at the state level for this nomination.”
Badger Dean of Students Stacey Warne commented, “When I think of students who are engaged in the community and are great leaders, Tryg and Emily are at the top of the list. They are excellent role models for our students in lots of areas, but their academic performance and school and community activity involvement really sets them apart. We are pleased to nominate these two deserving young people for the ExCEL Award and wish Tryg and Emily well in the state level competition.”
