Redwood Valley High School Announces Local ExCEL and Triple “A” Award Winners
Redwood Valley High School is pleased to announce our 2024-25 ExCEL Award winner Addie Thomes and Zach Wilson. The ExCEL award — Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership — is a unique recognition program designed exclusively for Minnesota high school juniors who are active in school activities, who show leadership qualities, and who work voluntarily in their community.
Addie Thomes is involved in Cross Country, Girls Basketball, Track, Band, NHS, HOSA, Student Council, Yearbook and has been on the A Honor roll each of her high school years. Addie has represented Redwood Valley at the State Track Meet and the State Cross Country Meet 3 times and help lead the team to a runner-up finish this year. Addie is active in volunteering through her church and Helping with Elementary School screening.
Zach Wilson is involved in Football, Basketball, Golf, Band, NHS, Yearbook Staff, and has been on the A Honor roll each of his high school years. Zach has been selected to the all-conference team in Golf and football. Zach is active volunteering at his church doing the livestream and assisting with other church activities and he helps to coach various youth sports.
Kilen Cilek and Kendall Huhnerkoch from Redwood Valley High School have been named this year’s Triple “A” Award nominees. Triple “A” Award winners are students who are recognized for excellence in academics, athletics and the arts. Established in 1988, the Academics, Arts, and Athletics Award (Triple “A” Award) is sponsored by the Minnesota State High School League. The award is given to high school seniors who have a “B” or better grade point average and who participate in league-sponsored athletic and fine arts activities.
Kendall Huhnerkoch has a 3.992 GPA and is involved in Band, Jazz Band, Women’s Ensemble, Volleyball, Basketball, Track and Field and NHS. Kendall has been named all-conference 5 times in Volleyball, 2 times in Basketball and 4 times in Track, while Earning all-state honors in Volleyball her Junior and Senior year along with leading her team to a 6th place finish in 2023. She scored over 1000 points in Basketball and 1000 kills in Volleyball. She has earned 4 medals at the state Track meet earning 2nd, 3rd and 4th in the Triple jump and 5th in the long jump. She holds the school record in the Triple jump and the 4 x100 relay. Kendall will be attending St. Cloud State to purse a degree in Nursing and plans to play volleyball
Kilen Cilek has a 4.0 GPA and is involved in Cross Country, Hockey, Track and Field, Band, Jazz Band, Robotics, NHS. Kilen has represented Redwood Valley at the State Cross Country Meet 3 times taking 3rd place as an individual and leading his team to a State Championship this past year. Kilen has represented Redwood Valley 3 years at the State Track and Field meet earning a 6th place medal in the 3200 last year. Kilen plans to attend Bethel or Augustana pursuing a degree in Biology and participating in CC and Track and Field. Kilen was most recently selected as the Sub region 9 Award winner for Region 3.
