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Connecting with Kids Leadership Award Winners

2024 Award Winners

Livia Epstein, Dream Skates, United Synagogue

Zoya Hasan, Kits for Kids, Vision for All, Youth Tennis Clinic

Shale Hornig & Ella Hornig, Tools for School - Simpson Housing Services

Lucia Lazarus, Valentine’s Day gift bags, Children’s Minnesota

Betsy Madson, MN Math Corps, Yearbook Advisor

Jon Newburg, Edina Basketball Association

Gigi Sanders, Christ Presbyterian Church Youth Leader

2023 Award Winners

Thom Propson, Edina High School Varsity Assistant Football Coach

Emma Flaherty, Charlie Greene, Abid Hasan, Nick Presthus, and Elsa Utoft, TedxYouthEdina organizers

Abid Hasan, Vision for All Minnesota nonprofit founder

Molly Seidel, ​Habitat for Humanity & DECA leader

2022 Award Winners

Lila Emerson & Claire Wegman-Krider, Edina Girls' Sports Summit Leaders

Dedeepya Guthikonda & Izzy Wagener, Edina Reads Writing Contest Organizers

Sreeyutha Ratala, Camp Venom Coding Camp Creator

Connor Killilea, ​Creative Fundraiser for Second Harvest Heartland

Francesca Lichtenberger & Sabeeh Mirza, Edina Human Rights and Relations Commission Members  

Atman Jahagirdar, COVIDedu.org website developer

Saketh Budideti & Kedar Simhadri, Hornet Mentor Connections Organizers

2021 Award Winners

Frannie Kuhs & Jane Tygesson, Art in the Classroom Program Directors 

Shane Stumm, Edina Soccer Association coach and program director 

Fartun Ismail, Founder of SAWAC, Somali American Women Action Center 

Julie James, Community Volunteer 

Steve Tschida, Edina High School athletic trainer 

Edina Give & Go, honoring the founders of the organization with Meg Rodriguez

Maggie Seidel, Student Leader 

2020 Award Winners

Chris Moquist, Community Resource Program Volunteer (and Owner of Yoyo Donuts)

Dan Arom, Community Volunteer with Edina sports organizations and Loaves & Fishes

Jaime Gaard Chapman, EHS Girls Basketball and Girls Tennis Coach/Mentor

Michael Weinkauf, Cornelia Elementary Phy Ed Teacher, School Ambassador

Sara Wegmann, Founder of Her Next Play

Tom, Catherine & Andrew Gump, Rotary Exchange Student Host Family and Community Volunteers

Matthew Hovelsrud, Student Leadership Award Winner

2019 Award Winners

Caroline Correia, Community Volunteer

Ryan Elbing, Edina Hockey Association Coach

Craig Lebakken, Scoutmaster

Beth Swanson, Scoutmaster and Historic Cahill School Marm

Shrey Ramesh, Student Leadership Award Winner

2018 Award Winners

Nicholas Balghiti, OPTIONS tutor, Edina High School

Jim Bizal, Youth Mentor, St. Stephens Church

Craig DeBerg, Ron Hoistad, & Tom Magne, Edina Basketball Association Coaching Team

Ukasha Dakane, Executive Director, FRAYEO, Fortune Relief and Youth Empowerment Organization

Dan Hunt, Edina Sports Booster

Nia Diaby, Student Leadership Award Winner

2017 Award Winners

Jane Cashin, Minnesota Special Hockey President

Officer Mike Seeger, Edina Jr. Police Program Organizer

Erica Allenburg, Arete Academy Volunteer & Passionate Youth Advocate

Fairview Southdale Hospital Junior Volunteer Program (Represented by the FSH Program team)

Patty Dronen, Community Volunteer & Organizer

Ben Larson, Student Leadership Award Winner

2016 Award Winners

Becky Briggs, Access & Strive Volunteer

Ann Dickey, Sharks Swim Team Head Coach

Cathy Cella, Confirmation leader and retired Edina School Board member

Ed Luterbach, Boys Flag Football Commissioner

Dulce Torres, Family Center Pre-K Volunteer

Owen Stidman, Student Leadership Award Winner

2015 Award Winners

Chelsea Korsh, Edina Youth Cheer

John Bower, STEM mentor

Jerry Potter, "Do the Right Thing" program creator

Sid Ramesh & Dennis Bao, Genesis Test Prep founders

Andrea Kellar, Golf for Life/Golf for Hope

Adi Mittal, Student Leadership Award Winner

2014 Award Winners

Dr. Beverly Claflin, Director of Music, Mt. Olivet Church

Kathleen Foye MacLennan, STRIVE volunteer and ACCESS founder

Edina Fire Department

Nancy Schaber, Fairview Southdale Volunteer Specialist

John Flynn, Camp Enterprise Leader

Creek Valley PTA Wellness Committee

Chetana Guthikonda, Student Leadership Award Winner

2013 Award Winners

Gary Dietz, Minister of Youth - St. Stephens Episcopal Church

Linda King, Neighborhood Organizer

Ann Schulze, STRIVE Volunteer

Tony Harmon, Valley View Security Monitor

Katie Quinn, Kids Voting Edina Volunteer

Chris Tower, Concord Elementary Teacher

2012 Award Winners

Tom Balke, EHS Student, Sober Squad

Jeff Long, Edina Police Chief

Carol McPheeters, CRP Volunteer

Dr. David Henderson, EPS Music Department

Heidi Howard, EHS Dean of Students

Emily Johnson, Homework Help volunteer

Mark Lobben, Coach

2011 Award Winners

Bill Smith, Edina Hockey Coach

Leslie Kreofsky, STRIVE Liaison

Jim Chamberlain, Boy Scout Troop Leader

Rotary Rocks the Y

Arlou McPherson, EHS Office Assistant

Margaret Lobeck, Student Volunteer

2010 Award Winners

Edina Morningside and Edina  Rotary Club

Michael Pretasky, EHS Dean of Students

Mary Smith, Cornelia ESL Teacher

Pamela Mills, Fairview Southdale Volunteer Services Manager

Jerry's Enterprises

Dr. Harold Hanson, Volunteer with Disabled  Young Adults

Bob Gubrud, Volunteer

Sober Squad

2009 Award Winners

Edina City Council and Mayor

Emma Weisberg & Shari Mohtadi, "Rock for Darfur" Organizers

Kids Voting Edina

Beth Solberg & Amy Hill, Valley View Theater Programs

Mary Streier, Edina Family Center School Readiness Supervisor