Minneapolis/St. Paul south metro school briefs: Educator receives $15,000 award

Debbi Krohn, a kindergarten teacher at Garlough Environmental Magnet School, was awarded a 2013 WEM Outstanding Educator Award for Ethics in Education, which carries with it a $15,000 award.

She's one of six educators being honored by the WEM Foundation and Synergy and Leadership Exchange for outstanding contributions to student learning. She is one of two statewide recipients of the award focusing on ethics.

Educators are initially nominated for the honor by students, parents, colleagues or community members. Once educators accept the nomination, they provide more information and are reviewed and ranked by a selection panel.

Krohn has been teaching for 13 years.

Three seniors at St. Thomas Academy in Mendota Heights are being honored with a Salute to Youth service award.

Michael Evanoff of Rose­ville, Patrick Hegdahl of St. Paul and Logan Dufek of Eagan received the award, which recognizes their contributions in the areas of volunteerism, academia, sports, spiritual development and family.

Salute to Youth is administered by the Degree of Honor Foundation and recognizes students' commitment to community service. Students are sponsored by local businesses, organizations or individuals and are recognized at an annual banquet. Students from both public and private schools are eligible.

Funded by a $3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, the initiative is a partnership between the district and the University of Minnesota School of Nursing.

The grant will fund a five-year study beginning in September 2014 to evaluate the effectiveness of a school-based weight management program. The voluntary program will be directed by school nurses and include support groups, coaching sessions and small group meetings after school.

Roumany Phan of Burnsville High School has been named a Gates Millennium Scholar.

The recognition rewards outstanding low-income students of color with a four-year scholarship to the college or university of their choice.

Established in 1999, the UNCF Gates Millennium Scholars Program is funded by a $1.6 billion grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Phan was among 19 Minnesota students and 1,000 scholars nationally to receive the award.

The tournament helps fund eight $2,000 scholarships for high school seniors at Lakeville North, Lakeville South, Apple Valley, Eagan, Eastview, Rosemount and Burnsville High Schools who plan on pursuing a career in education. Recipients must also demonstrate a commitment to athletics, academics and their community.

The fund also awards three grants to exceptional coaches and teachers who wish to pursue continuing education.

Sponsors and donated items for raffles are also needed. Contact Kelsey at info@hanson scholarshipfund.org for more details. To register, go to www.hansonscholarshipfund.org.

The Eagan High School Boys Golf Booster Club is sponsoring its annual Wildcat Junior Golf Classic on May 25 at Rich Valley Golf Club in Rosemount.

Boys and girls in the 10-12 and 13-14 age groups may participate in the nine-hole tournament, and each group will play with a member of the high school golf team.