St. Francis Xavier School student Gabbie Steinkopf, daughter of Jen Steinkopf of Sartell, holds a fish T-shirt she designed Sept. 25 during the school’s celebration of “Only One You,” based on the Linda Kranz children’s book. The students put into practice the values of the book: being unique, making new friends, learning when to speak up and when to listen and much more. Each student made a unique T-shirt to represent “Only One You.”
Nolan Frank (men’s golf) was named the Jamestown Optimist Club Athlete of the Week. Frank, a sophomore from Sartell (2014), fired a 4-over 148 to lead the University of Jamestown (N.D.) Jimmies to a 1-shot victory at the Bismarck State College invitational at Prairie West Golf Course in Mandan, N.D. Frank’s 148 (72-76) was good for third place individually, while helping his team to first place in the tournament. Optimist International is an association of more than 2,900 Optimist Clubs around the world dedicated to “Bringing Out the Best in Kids.” Adult volunteers join Optimist Clubs to conduct positive service projects in their communities aimed at providing a helping hand to youth. With their upbeat attitude, Optimist Club members help empower young people to be the best they can be.
Alice Colatrella, Sartell, has participated in the Concordia Language Villages program by attending a one-week session at El Lago del Bosque, the Spanish Language Village, located near Bemidji, Minn. Colatrella is the daughter of Stacy and Nick Colatrella and will be a seventh-grader at Sartell Middle School this fall.
Troy Hoekstra, St. Cloud, was awarded the Developer of the Year for 2015 by the International Hotels Group. Hoekstra accepted the award Sept. 30 at the annual IHG conference in San Francisco.
St. Cloud Federal Credit Union and St. Cloud City and County Employees Credit Union are proud to announce the intention of merging their two organizations. The merger process was pre-approved by regulators and affirmed by a vote of St. Cloud City and County Employees Credit Union members at a special meeting on Sept. 16. Final regulatory approval is anticipated in the coming months. Both organizations have a rich history in Central Minnesota dating back to the 1930s and will continue operating “as is” until the merger is finalized later this year.
The Central Minnesota Arts Board awarded $81,271 in support of 18 regional arts projects. Recipients of the CMAB grant are the following: Chamber Music Society of St. Cloud, $7,000; College of St. Benedict, $6,115; Great River Chorale, $2,791; Great River Educational Arts Theatre, $7,000; Helping Hands Outreach, $3,203; St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra, $7,000; The St. John’s Boys’ Choir, $3,518; Visual Arts Minnesota, $5,110; and Youth Chorale of Central Minnesota, $3,646.
