ABOVE: Cooper Steuber and Solveig Senf have been selected as Fairmont Area High School’s Triple 'A' students for the 2022-2023 school year. The award recognizes students who’ve excelled in academics, art and athletics.

FAIRMONT– Fairmont High School has named Cooper Steuber and Solveig Senf as recipients of the Minnesota State High School League’s Triple ‘A’ Award. The award highlights students who’ve excelled in academics, art and athletics.

In order to be eligible for the award students must be a high school senior with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher who participates in both an athletic and arts activity. Fairmont’s Triple ‘A’ students will have the chance to progress through a multi-level selection process that will narrow recipients down to 32 finalists from across the state before choosing statewide award winners who will receive a four year $1,000 school scholarship.

Steuber, son of Mike and Heidi Steuber and Senf, daughter of Kent and Beth Senf, were surprised to hear they had been selected as Fairmont’s Triple ‘A’ students.

“I think I was genuinely excited when I heard and grateful to be recognized, but I also think it’s a good time to acknowledge the support of my teachers, my family and my coaches because without their help and encouragement I definitely wouldn’t be in this position,” said Senf.

“I was kind of surprised at first because I didn’t think that I would get it, but it’s pretty cool I’d say,” said Steuber.

Steuber wanted to thank his friends, teachers, family, and anyone else who’s supported him.

Both students are longtime participants in Fairmont’s band program where they play in concert and pep band. Senf also plays in jazz ensemble and Steuber will be in choir next semester.

The recipients also participated in the high school’s fall musical performance of “Newsies.” Senf was working with the stage crew for her fifth consecutive year while it was Steuber’s first experience with the theater department. Steuber played the character of strike planner David Jacobs.

“That was a pretty fun experience … everyone was pretty accepting so it was easy to fit in,” said Steuber.

Steuber and Senf are also both in National Honor Society.

Steuber said it was difficult for him to choose a favorite class but noted his favorite subject is math and he is currently taking calculus. Senf said she was enjoying Anatomy and Physiology and her peer tutoring course where she works on math with students who are English language learners.

“That’s been definitely one of my favorite classes this semester because I’ve been able to build some really cool relationships with students I wouldn’t have usually but I’ve also grown a lot as a Spanish speaker,” said Senf.

Steuber is a captain for Fairmont’s football and wrestling teams. During this past season the football team made it through most of the state championships while wrestling remains undefeated. Steuber is also a member of Fairmont’s baseball team and helped score two runs in the Cardinal’s championship game last summer.

Senf was a tennis captain this previous season during which the team was the runner-up in their section. During the summer she also helped coach elementary tennis camps.

“It’s definitely been one of my favorite things to participate in, being on the team and experiencing successes with your teammates,” said Senf.

Senf is also currently preparing for the beginning of this year’s speech season. During the season she will talk about the planet’s environmental well being in the discussion category. Outside of these activities Senf has participated in mock trial and is the current student representative on the Fairmont School Board.

Neither student has decided which college they will attend but Steuber is planning to follow some kind of pre-med program while Senf hopes to major in biology and economics while on track to a law degree.