Extra credit

Andrew Nystrom, the son of Brian and Mary Ann Nystrom of Minneapolis and the grandson of Arthur and Lois Nystrom of Brainerd, was named to the spring dean's list at Anoka-Ramsey Community College.

Daniel Albertson, the son of Allan and Nancy Albertson of Crosslake, was awarded a member scholarship from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Albertson, a 2003 Pequot Lakes High School graduate, is attending Concordia College in Moorhead.

Jacqueline Wiechmann, the daughter of Dan and Sue Wiechmann of Baxter, was named a resident assistant for the 2003-04 academic year at the University of North Dakota. Wiechmann is majoring in nursing.

Meghan Rahn, the daughter of Michael and Bari Rahn of Brainerd, was named to the spring dean's list at Grinnell College, in Grinnell, Iowa. Rahn is majoring in art.

Tiffany Varilek, Pequot Lakes, was selected to receive an academic scholarship from the National Propane Gas Foundation for the 2003-04 school year. Varilek attends the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Varilek's father Roger Varilek is employed by Lakes Gas.

Jeff McCulloch, the son of Charles and Cindy McCulloch of Crosslake, is attending the University of Minnesota-Duluth this fall and he is majoring in athletic training. McCulloch attended Pequot Lakes High School where he was a member of the basketball, football, golf, track and cross-country teams.

Nine Brainerd High School graduates and two Pequot Lakes High School graduates received scholarships from the Nisswa Lions Club. The Brainerd recipients are Jennifer Hanson, nursing student at the University of North Dakota; Drew Herman, engineering and mathematics student at the University of Wisconsin, Madison; Alex Hondl, physical therapy student at the University of North Dakota or Concordia College; Janelle Huss, health science student at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire; Joanna Koski, art and business student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison; Marie Lange, chemical engineering student at Notre Dame; Erin MacDonald, business and French student at the College of St. Benedict; Mark Norman, secondary education student at the University of Minnesota; and Gina Rudolph, law enforcement student at Central Lakes College. The Pequot Lakes recipients are Tiffany Varilek, UMD business and leadership student, and Justin Hall, UMD biology and German student.

Four Brainerd High School seniors spent a week attending the Rotary Youth Leadership Award at the University of Minnesota-Crookston. Attending were Desirae Christensen and Sarah Forrest, both of Brainerd, and Erica Ruen and Quinn Nystrom, both of Baxter.

Robert Durham, Kelli Knudsen and Joseph Lendobeja, all of Brainerd, each accepted a $600 transfer scholarship from Bemidji State University.

Blake Smith, Little Falls, Mark Wilkowski, Aitkin, and Clayton Burns, Backus, each accepted a $600 Troppman Scholarship from Bemidji State University. Smith, who is a freshman majoring in dentistry, attended Little Falls Community High School. Wilkowski, who is a sophomore majoring in business administration, attended Aitkin High School. Burns attended Pine-River-Backus High School.

Ninth- and 10th-graders participated in a leadership and community strengthening project sponsored by the Brainerd Schools Youth Development/Youth Service program known as the Youth Volunteer Staff. The students spent time with students in kindergarten through eighth-grade at Fun 'N' Friends, Youth Trax, Heartland Animal Rescue Team and community events. Students who volunteered were Chris Bartosh, Lance Borgstrom, Travis Carlson, Becca Dornan, Casey Duval, Brittany Erickson, Rachel Fristedt, Heather Halverson, Matt Harris, Zach Knakmuhs, Keith Koppes, Amy Lively, Logan Mohs, Amanda Oehrlein, Tyler Peterson, Megan Rudbeck, Vanessa Thoennes, Rob Trask, James Voelker, Chelsey Weiss, Mitch Ohman, Megan Winterowd and Joey Vosen.

Vicky LaPlant of Brainerd, earned a master's degree as a primary mental health nurse practitioner at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth. LaPlant was a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society and she is employed at the Brainerd Regional Human Services Center.

David M. Borash, Baxter, earned a master of science degree from South Dakota State University.