Gaetz named Region 5A Triple A Award winner

by Cori Hilsgen

news@thenewsleaders.com

St. John’s Prep senior Marisa Gaetz was recently named the Region 5A Female Triple A Award winner and will advance to compete at the state level.

The Minnesota State High School League Triple A Award recognizes high-school seniors who have excelled in the classroom, on the athletic field and in fine arts.

Gaetz and her parents, Rose and Rick Gaetz from St. Joseph, represented District 20 at the Region 5A Triple A banquet Feb. 3 at the Holiday Inn in St. Cloud. There are 46 schools in Region 5A.

Gaetz is one of eight females selected to compete at the state level.

She was evaluated against the other district level Triple A representatives, and because of her impressive credentials and outstanding speech, she was named the female Region 5A winner.

A few comments Gaetz included in her speech were:

“When considering arts, academics and athletics, it’s often easy to overlook there interdependence. Many of the valuable experiences I’ve had have come not from one particular activity, but from the conjunction of multiple activities. My involvement in a variety of activities has allowed me to realize how one experience can open doors for another.

“My openness to new experiences has connected me with my community and has led me to countless Triple A activities I may not have otherwise participated in. As I move on to college and a career, I hope to maintain a wide range of interests, and I hope it continues to open doors for me.”

Gaetz will be honored at halftime at the March 12 Class 2A boys’ basketball state championship game, where the state representative will be announced.

The state winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship.