Homeroom teachers at St. Michael-Albertville High School are always on the lookout for exceptional eleventh-grade students to recommend for STMA’s Rotary Student of the Month program. Local Rotarians select students each month of the school year who embody their motto of “service above self,” with the focus on students in their junior year so the honor can be included in college applications.
For February, the local Rotary club has given this distinction to Ethan Rice and Kalina Stifter.
Ethan is the son of Carla and Steve Rice of St. Michael. He has participated in football, weightlifting, track and field, Football Leadership Council, Freshman Connections, and the National Honor Society. Ethan has earned a football athletic letter three times, academic letter twice, All-Conference Honorable Mention, Football Academic All-Conference three times, Courtesy and Respect Award, and Academic Department Awards in science, social studies, and world language. After graduation, Ethan would like to play football at a Division III school.
Kalina is the son of John Stifter and Lori Stifter of St. Michael. Kalina is a leader in the Gender and Sexuality Alliance. She plays baritone in the STMA Wind Ensemble and works for DiMagio’s Pizza. After high school, Kalina plans to attend NDSU to pursue a degree in either Accounting or Business Management.
For the month of March, the Rotary selected Arinda Barthel and Ella Windell.
Arinda is the daughter of Tim and Debbie Barthel of St. Michael. She has participated in co-curricular choir (Chambers), track, weightlifting, cross country, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, ALIV, Twin Cities River Rats (water ski show team), core team at the Catholic church, and cantering at the church. Her awards and recognition include: honor roll, superior rating at solo contest, and chemical free poster awarded in sophomore year. After graduation, Arinda plans to major in music therapy.
Ella is the daughter of Trevor and Shelly Windell of St. Michael. Ella has participated in cross country, track, weightlifting, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society, and Spanish Club. Her awards and recognition include: 2016 Cross Country Academic All-Conference Student of the Month, PE/Health Academic Recognition, 2016 Cross Country Hardest Worker, Choir Academic Letter, 2018 Mississippi 8 Female Weightlifting Champion (450 total lbs club), and two-time academic letter. While her major is undecided at this point, Ella plans to attend a four-year college in the Midwest.
Congratulations to the February and March winners!