Outstanding people honored at CLC, Brainerd

The Brainerd campus of Central Lakes College held its annual Awards Day on May 1 and recognized the following individuals, as well as others:

-- Outstanding Staff Member: Melody Weber, Motley, information center and maintenance administrative assistant.

-- Outstanding Student: Kaylo Brooks, Brainerd.

-- Outstanding Faculty Member: Joe Plut, Crosby, English and humanities instructor.

-- Citizenship Award: Male Freshman -- Matt Yde, Brainerd; Female Freshman -- Anna Struss, Brainerd; Male Sophomore -- Derek Denny, Hewitt; Female Sophomore (co-winners) -- Brooke Parker, Brainerd, and Brooks.

-- Student Employee of the Year: Parker.

-- Club/Organization Adviser: Gary Payne, Baxter, People Uniting for Peace.

-- Club/Organization of the Year: People Uniting for Peace.

The CLC Foundation, represented by Diane Scearcy, announced that Anna Loutkota of Nisswa is the 2001 Paul Findorff Outstanding Business Student and will receive a scholarship in memory of the late instructor.

Sherry Drahota of McGregor was awarded the Fielding Family Scholarship presented by the CLC Foundation.

The Pelican Lake Conservation Club, represented by Mary Spilman and Kathy Zender, presented $1,000 scholarships to CLC natural resources students Ben Bangert, a sophomore from Albert Lea, and Alicia Lester, a freshman from Brainerd.

The natural resources program, represented by Gary Carson and Steve Haasch, presented Academic Achievement Awards to Bangert and freshman Josh Bork of Paynesville. Natural resources students named Bangert and Mark Frisk, a freshman from Motley, as that program's Students of the Year.

Donnel Kist of Motley, a freshman in natural resources, was presented with a special citation for exceptional work done at Camp Ripley.

Brian Kohn, instructor in engineering and physics, recognized the achievement of top engineering students Grant Schluender of Pillager, Brian Tollerud of Merrifield, Tony Rolfes of Brainerd, Luke Tholen of Baxter and Cyal Lecy of Staples.

Russ Ebert, instructor in welding and fabrication, announced his students had selected Kevin Deick of Cushing and Gavin Peterson of Hackensack as Outstanding Students in that program.

Amanda Barnett of Motley received the Outstanding Choir Member award, presented by Michelle Sakry-Winkelman, director, and the CLC Music Scholarship winner was Jennifer Evans of Brainerd.

Outstanding Instrumental Music Student was freshman Jeremy Sanoski of Pierz, who was recognized by director Steve Anderson.

Outstanding Theatre Students announced by Dennis Lamberson, director, were Dawn Marks of Brainerd, Shane Keran and Heather Vaughan of Baxter, Anna Midthun of Aitkin, Katie Hawley of Emily, Ben Ellis of Minneapolis, Tracy Funt of Pierz, and Taylor Hays of Rochester.

Jenna Brown of Baxter was named Outstanding Student Senator.

Staples campus honors will be announced at Graduation ceremonies Tuesday.