On Wednesday, Perham High School students and staff gathered in the auditorium for the annual Spring Awards Program. Each year, students are recognized for their achievements in academics, arts, and athletics with various awards. Seniors are the main recipients of the awards in celebration of their 4 years at PHS.
Congratulations to all of our students on their success!

Highest Honors – Seniors with a GPA of 3.90 or Higher
Row 1: Daniel Zitzow, Kolbey Bormann, Makayla Melvin, Aixa Kolofale, Kally Conlin, Zack Zajac
Row 2: Emily Martinson, Jace Kovash, Megan Tellinghuisen, Faith Blonski, Seth Johnson, Nick Lindberg, Kate Neitzke, Alisha Rosen, Junior Nordick, and Max Priebe
Not Pictured: Audrey Swanson
Presidential Education Awards
The President’s Education Awards Program (PEAP) was founded in 1983. PEAP honors graduating high school students for their achievement and hard work. The program has provided individual recognition from the present and the US Secretary of Education to htose students whose outstanding efforts have enabled them to meet challengign standards of excellence.
Students must maintain a 3.5 cumulative GPA and also have an 85% or higher on the ACT Math and the ACT English tests.

Foreign Exchange Student Recognition
We recognized the foreign exchange students that have been attending Perham High School this year. These students leave their homes to come to the United States where they don’t know anyone. They often have limited English skills making it hard to communicate when they first arrive. They are placed in a home with a strange family, and begin a completely new lifestyle for the next 9 months.
This year we welcomed the following students:
- Paula Muniz Foira – Grade 10 from Spain
- Ludovia Scuito – Grade 12 from Italy
- Woohyeok Pi – Grade 11 from Korea
Each student received a certificate of attendance for the time they shared with us. As another
USA experience” all have been invited to go through the formal graduation ceremony with the Class of 2018.
Paula and Ludovia started with us last fall and will be returning to their home countries shortly after school is done. Woohyeok started with us in January and will be returning as a Senior this fall. He will return to Korea in December 2018.

Citizenship Award

All-Around Student Award

Perfect Attendance
These students did not miss a single day of school throughout the 2017-18 school year.
From L to R: Katie Zepper, Nick Lindberg, Logan Zajac, and Stephen Lindberg.
Triple “A” Award (Academic, Arts, & Athletics)
Presented to Ian Christenson & Aixa Kolofale
To be eligible for the Academics, Arts, and Athletics Award, a student must be a high school senior, have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, participate in MSHSL-sponsored athletics and fine arts activities, and comply with the MSHSL’s Student Code of Conduct.
Male & Female Athletes of the Year
Presented to Zackery Zajac, Gabby DeBoer, and Jace Kovash
This award recognizes the male and female athlete who participates in at least two athletic programs and has demonstrated excellence and leadership qualities.
Male & Female Sportsmanship Award
Presented to Aaron Wegscheid, Sydney Bahls, Kolbey Bormann, and Tanner Knutson
These individuals exemplify the qualities of the true “student/athlete” – they strive for excellence, accept responsibility for the challenges they may experience, accepts victory and defeat with dignity, and who eagerly accepts the challenge of quality competition. They are a true diplomat for Perham High School, in our own community and others.
Male & Female Performing Artists of the Year
Presented to Ian Christenson, Shelby Burns, and Audrey Swanson (not pictured)
Awarded to the male and female student who were involved in at least two of the MSHSL sponsored programs at PHS. This award recognizes the artistic talents of our student body, their dedication to their arts, and to sharing those talents in multiple and excellent ways.
Fine Arts Black & Gold Award
Presented to Tanner Knutson & Grace Tangen
This award is chosen from our Fine Arts department leaders. It recognizes an appreciation for leadership, dedication, and a high level of performance and success in their fine arts fields as well as the classroom with their academic endeavors.
Dick Benepe Award
Presented to Logan Richter
Awarded in honor of former PHS Football Coach, Dick Benepe. Dick had a wonderful rapport with young people and a special place in his heart for linemen. When he passed away unexpectedly in the year 2000, his love for football and wrestling has carried on each year in our Spring Awards thanks to his family, as they set aside money to help a PHS football lineman and/or wrestler with college expenses.
Endeavor Award
This award goes to students that compete in three or more MSHSL activities throughout the school year.
Presented to Aaron Wegscheid, Aixa Kolofale, Alisha Rosen, Andrew Newville, Ben Winkels, Caitlin Sondag, Chantelle Lysne, Elle Birkeland, Faith Blonski, Grace Tangen, Hannah Ekse, Jace Kovash, Kolbey Bormann, Lindsey Soule, Logan Richter, Martin LaFond, Ryan Kalina, Seth Johnson, and Tanner Knutson
Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA)
Presented to Lacey Richter, Maggie Ingebrand, Sierra Edvall (not pictured)
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) provides outstanding students leaders and potential leaders an opportunity to expand and hone their leadership skills. Student has a good academic record, is involved in school activities as well as non-school related activities and work experience. The Perham Rotary Club is sponsoring three students this year from Perham High School. This year’s camp dates will be held in July at the University of Crookston campus.
Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Award (HOBY)
Presented to Andrew Jacobson
Each year one sophomore is selected to attend a state leadership seminar designed to empower high school sophomores to recognize their leadership talents and apply them to become effective, ethical leaders in their home, school, and community. This year’s seminar will be at St. Cloud State University in June.
Diana Porath Math Award
Presented to Megan Tellinghuisen
In honor of Diana Porath, a long time math teacher at Perham High School, this award is given to a graduating senior that has taken both AP math courses, as well as excelling in the math field.
Semper Fidelis Award
Presented to Grace Tangen
The Semper Fidelis Award is presented to a senior that displays traits that the Marine Corps considers essential to being a good leader: endurance, knowledge, unselfishness, dependability, enthusiasm, and loyalty. We award it to a senior who has demonstrated incredible acts of service to the band, to their peers, and to their community.
John Philip Sousa Award
Presented to Faith Blonski
The John Philip Sousa Award is one of the highest honors available to high school band students, and it recognizes outstanding dedication and superior musicianship. We award it to a senior who has proven themselves to be an exemplary leader and role model, and who has demonstrated outstanding dedication and service.
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