Annika Kovar
Creating Generation Healthy
1 Comment
Thank you to The College of St. Scholastica for honoring me as a recipient of the John Baggs Memorial Scholarship. I feel truly blessed to be recognized for this distinct award.
Baggs was the winningest coach ever at St. Scholastica in any sport. Head baseball coach since 1992, he built the team into a national powerhouse on the NCAA Division III level. In 2008 the team was runner-up for the Midwest Regional, its best NCAA finish in program history. The team has also won 12 straight Upper Midwest Athletic Conference titles. Baggs was 531-197 during his career at St. Scholastica, a .720 winning percentage. He missed only one game in 17 seasons. St. Scholastica Athletic Director Don Olson said Baggs' success as a role model was evident in how many of his former players remained his friends long after graduating. "John touched the lives of so many students," Olson said. "John developed a culture of family within the CSS baseball program, based on caring and support. He truly represented the best of St. Scholastica's tradition in athletics. We all support John's family and friends as they mourn his death and celebrate his life." Baggs was born in Chicago, Ill. He graduated from Iowa State University in 1989 with a B.A. in journalism and English. Hired at St. Scholastica in 1991 when he was only 24 years old, he was the youngest head coach in the country at the time. Following a 33-10 season in 1996, Baggs was selected to coach Team USA II, an NCAA all-star team that won the International Series '96 in Apeldoorn, Holland. The next summer he was chosen to coach Team America, and led that team to a first place trophy in Solingen, Germany. He has a 27-3 record coaching USA teams internationally. Earning high honors after leading the Saints to a 41-11 record and the NAIA Regional Championship in 2000, Baggs was named ABCA Regional Coach of the Year and was a finalist for the NAIA National Coach of the Year award. He was voted the ABCA Regional Coach of the Year again in 2003. He won Louisville Slugger Coach of the Year of awards in 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. He coached 21 All-Americans and 12 of his players went on to sign professional contracts. Article by Duluth News Tribune I was so excited to be named as a recipient of the Minnesota Resort and Campground Association Scholarship. Thank you for choosing me for this honor.
So grateful to have been honored with local scholarships at this weeks awards ceremony! Thank you to all of the area businesses, organizations and individuals who continually give back to PHS students, it is so appreciated. #PruSpirit2019 Perham Woman of Focus Award Hat's Off to PHS! Frank Family Foundation Award Dent American Legion Mike Rhode Spirit Perham Area Foundation Perham Rotary Prudential Spirit of Community Minnesota State Honoree Perham Area Scholarship Fund
I have had the opportunity to serve on prom committee the past 2 years. Planning, decorating, gathering donations, recruiting parent volunteers, scheduling entertainment and working with advisors and school administration. I love being able to be involved, and it's even better when your besties are there by your side also helping and then enjoying the night we helped create for our school.
Lending a hand to help those in need today.. my government class had the opportunity to help pack food at our local food shelf, The Bridge! #PruSpirit2019
During my trip to Washington I enjoyed visiting the capitol, and met with Minnesota Senator Tina Smith to talk about Little Sprouts Garden Gang and Creating Generation Healthy.
I had am amazing time in Washington DC representing Minnesota as the top high school volunteer of the year. Thank you to Prudential and the National Association of Secondary School Principles for selecting to honor me as a state honoree and for putting together such an incredible week of activities, volunteer opportunities, and recognition banquets One of my many highlights was being personally congratulated by Viola Davis (award-winning actress: The Help, How to Get Away with Murder) at an award ceremony and gala at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History.
I recently applied for and was awarded a grant to help support my charity, Little Sprouts Garden Gang. Thank you so much to KLN Family Brands for your continued support with helping sponsor Little Sprouts Garden Gang in the purchase and distribution of vegetable seeds for childcare facilities to plant gardens with their daycare kids.
My final High School Choir Concert. Swing Choir, Women's Choir, & Concert Choir. Hoping to be able to continue singing in choir at CSS next Fall.
Thank you Red River Valley Development Association for honoring me today as one of the four recipients of the Northwest Minnesota Youth Leadership Award. Congratulations to the other recipients including Finn Blomquist Eggerling, Mya Johanneck, and Emily Spiled.
I participated in the Walk for Hunger along with my high school Interact Club. Together we raised a $791 in donations for The Bridge, Perham's local food pantry. Our group, along with a few others, hiked from the school to the Bridge Pantry to deliver our donation, and were greeted with water, hot chocolate and a tour of the mobile pantry.
Posing with one of their donation boxes, these children at Great Beginnings in Perham are learning how to give back to their community. This year marked my 3rd annual Heart for Hunger Food Drive to support the Bridge, Perham's local food pantry.
Thank you to the Perham Rotary Club for inviting me to read the essay I submitted for the Rotary 4-Way Test contest. I am so appreciative to have been chosen as the local essay winner, earning the 4-Way $500 scholarship and the opportunity represent our community of Perham by advancing into the Regional 4-Way Essay competition. The Rotary 4-Way Test is 4 questions used to determine if something is a good idea. they include: Is it the Truth? Is it Fair to all concerned? Will it build Goodwill & Better Friendships? Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?I used the 4-Way Test in my essay titled "Should Community Service be a Graduation Requirement?" to prove that community service and volunteerism are very much a valuable part of high school graduation requirements. Should Community Service be a Graduation Requirement?
By Annika Kovar Perham High School Rotary Four-Way Test Essay There’s nothing that makes me happier than being the catalyst for someone else’s smile. I’m incredibly grateful that participating in community service as a high school graduation requirement has helped me develop as a compassionate, independent thinker, motivated me to volunteer thousands of hours, promote a social impact initiative that has encouraged individuals on a national scale to live a healthier lifestyle, and the confidence to speak to the hearts of others from a place of authenticity. My ambition as a student volunteer is to be kind to all, to represent the people of my community well, and to leave every individual feeling like they are the only person in the room. High school is where we learn and prepare for the future and what it means to be a good citizen, and what better way to educate students about being good citizens than involving them in community service through volunteerism. Spending time volunteering in their community is one of the most valuable experiences for a high school student, and it teaches so many life lessons that you can't learn in a traditional classroom. There are a vast number of school districts nationwide that require mandatory community service as a high school graduation requirement. While not all school districts choose to include this as a requirement, I am especially appreciative that mine does. Perhaps if all school districts followed the practical guide of the FOUR-WAY TEST they would overwhelmingly confirm the benefits of requiring students to participate in community service, and include it as a graduation requirement. The first question we must ask ourselves is, Is it the TRUTH? The answer is compellingly yes! Requiring students to participate in community service is an exceptional idea! Students who participate have the opportunity to learn a variety of skills, try something new, and feel a great sense of accomplishment. It teaches them that giving back is not only the right thing to do, but helping others and the environment is investing in their future and a valuable use of time. By volunteering in classrooms and after school programs, I found that I have a passion for working with children. Volunteering enabled me to connect with mentors who encouraged me to peruse my love of teaching and become an elementary teacher. Second, we must ask, Is it FAIR to all concerned? Yes, it's a win-win for everyone involved! The student can take away a great sense of pride, knowing that they have been a part of something special. Likewise, the individual or group that has been helped by the act of volunteering is forever changed and blessed by the experience. When students get involved in community service, not only do they help others, they are able to develop leadership skills, learn to better empathize and see first-hand how their actions can create a positive impact. Volunteers can discover hidden talents, improve their self worth, gain knowledge about local government and area resources available to solve community needs. By organizing an annual food drive in my community, I have personally learned that I can make a difference, and every person counts! The next question is will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? Yes! Volunteering establishes community relationships, builds camaraderie and promotes teamwork by initiating compassion and understanding, strengthening community, and encouraging civic responsibility. You get a chance to give back! Over the past three summers I have been building goodwill hands-on by planting gardens with daycare children through a non-profit I started called Little Sprouts Garden Gang. By creating volunteer fund-raising events, I am able to provided free vegetable seeds and program information to childcare facilities so they can plant gardens. This summer I partnered with 105 daycares in 21 states. Engaging in community service provides students like me with the opportunities and tools to become active and vital members of our communities, leaving a positive lasting impact on society as a whole. The final question is, will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned? This can be answered with a resounding yes. It connects individuals to the community, empowers them to become contributing members of society and focuses on our common humanity. Volunteerism brings people together, uniting individuals from diverse backgrounds to work toward a common goal. Community service and volunteerism are an investment in our community and the people who live in it. From Special Olympics, and Girl Scouts to raising money for Juvenile Arthritis and Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, I am proud of the impact I’ve made by volunteering with over 30 service organizations throughout my high school years. The FOUR-WAY TEST confirms that community service should be a graduation requirement for high school students. This would ensure that that everyone would have the opportunity to spend time volunteering in their community. As an added bonus, those who volunteer during school years will carry the experiences with them throughout their lifetime, making them far more likely to continue serving well into adulthood. If you ask me, that's great news for volunteer driven organizations like Rotary. I am unbelievably humbled to have been selected as a recipient of the Sister Timothy Kirby Scholarship. Thank you so much to the scholarship selection committee at the College of St. Scholastica for this exceptional honor.
In doing research about Sr. Timothy Kirby, I found that we shared a love of music, speech and service. She led a life of service in everything she did. I am just amazed by her story, and so thankful for this incredible opportunity. Very successful day at Solo/Ensemble Contest today at MSUM - PHS Swing Choir received the top rating of Superior and will be moving onto State Contest in May
Our PHS Women's Choir was invited to be a featured choir at the 9th Annual NDSU Women's Choral Festival. We enjoyed an afternoon of rehearsals and a concert with over 250 other female singers from MN & ND.
It was an honor to be able to speak at this years induction and senior recognition of the NHS Perham Chapter of the Minnesota Honor Society. I was voted by my peers as one of four seniors to be a cabinet member and lead the ceremony.
It was great to see a couple of Perham Princesses supporting foster families by making High 5 for Foster Families Cards. Way to support your community Paige and Shelby!
What an honor! I have been selected as Minnesota's top High School Youth Volunteer in the 2019 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program. As a state honoree, I will travel to Washington DC along with honorees from all 50 states in early May to be recognized at an awards ceremony, and receive a scholarship. I will also receive a personal letter from the President along with the President's Volunteer Service Award for my work with my charity, Little Sprouts Garden Gang. You can read the full article below! State Honoree Annika Kovar Frazee, Minnesota
Annika Kovar, 18, of Frazee, Minn., a senior at Perham High School, created a charity that has encouraged and helped 105 childcare facilities in 21 states to grow vegetable gardens for their kids, and is engaged in numerous other projects to promote healthy eating and physical activity among young people. In 2012, Annika suffered a concussion in a gymnastics accident and had to refrain from any physical activity for six months. “Over the course of my recovery, I experienced first-hand the effects that lack of exercise and poor eating habits can have,” she said. Afterward, “I was determined to become the healthiest version of myself, and inspire others to do the same.” So while she was volunteering as an activities leader at a local daycare facility, Annika planted a garden to teach the children “where real food comes from” and to feed them healthy produce. Other daycares in Minnesota heard about her garden, and before long, Annika was providing free vegetable seeds, advice and, in some cases, hands-on planting assistance to 35 childcare facilities. Last year, her “Little Sprouts Garden Gang” program expanded to 21 states, and she published a children’s book to extol the virtues of gardening and to help fund her program. Annika also has produced exercise videos and taught a short fitness routine to encourage kids to get at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. In addition, she promotes both nutrition and exercise through speeches, food drives, benefit concerts, radio public service announcements, social media and a personal website. “Working together, we can educate and encourage today’s youth to move more, eat healthier, and help lower childhood obesity,” said Annika. follow this link to watch my farewell video on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/annika.kovar.9/videos/1248802698603061/ My journey to become Miss Coon Rapids Outstanding Teen began 6 years ago when I first stood on this very stage competing for the teen title. Without a doubt in my mind I knew I would be back to represent this amazing community, which has become my home away from home. One year ago my journey continued as I was crowned and welcomed into the CR family with open arms and big hearts; ready to help me pursue my goals, and reach my highest potential.
I was beyond honored to be the preliminary evening gown & on-stage question winner along with being named 2nd runner up at the Miss Minnesota’s Outstanding Teen competition. And how humbling to be recognized for the second year in a row for the Anne and Hal Alyger Community Involvement Award for all of the service work that I completed during my reign. This year I was able to grow my Non-Profit Organization; Little Sprouts Garden Gang to a “national” level by providing 105 childcare facilities in 21 states with free vegetable seeds for children to plant gardens that provide fresh produce. Some other goals I accomplished this year included publishing my first children’s book; Come and Plant a Garden with Me and personally spreading my message about my campaign “ME; move more, eat real” to more than 1900 students. I could not have done it without the help, love and support of so many people. Erin, you have presence about you that makes everyone fall in love with you, you are such a sweet and down to earth person and even though we lived on opposite ends of the state you were always someone I could count on. I will cherish every memory we have made together this year because it was an amazing year with you by my side representing Coon Rapids. I know we always will have each other’s backs. Thank you for being the best sister queen a girl could ask for, I will miss you very much! Megan, thank you so much for everything this past year. Whether it was helping me with what to wear, mock interviews, practicing walks or giving me advice, I will always be so grateful that you were there for me cheering me on from the sidelines. I will miss having you as a director! Theresa, although you are the Miss director you were also my director and thank you so much for helping me with everything. Being a chaperone at any of my many appearances, driving me all over the place and of course our many sleepovers has made this year even better. I will miss you very much, thank you for everything! A special shout out to Sue, John, Mark, Zayanne, Meghan, Marcie, Becky, Stephen, Teda, Diane and the entire Coon Rapids Committee, I have truly been blessed by how much advice I have gotten from you all. Thank you for all of the love and support you have given me this past year. I will miss each and every single one of you because you help this program flourish and want girls like me to come back after competing for the first time at the age of 12 to represent you. So, thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. To the many competition sponsors and the community of Coon Rapids, you have been so kind to welcome me as if I were one of your own to represent Coon Rapids. Truly making it feel like my home away from home. Thank you all for supporting me this past year. Mallory Hagan, thank you for everything you did in order to help prepare me for the state competition. You helped me feel more confident in myself and what I have to offer. I have learned so many skills from you that I will carry with into any interview or room that I walk into. Thank you again! A special thank you to Paula Preston for taking my beautiful head-shots and to Gianna Capuzzi for helping me with makeup and hair throughout my reign! Also, to John Nelson for capturing all of the memories made during state week! Another big thank you goes to Sarah from the Pageant shop and Le Chic for helping me with all of my wardrobe for the state competition. Also, to MAI Movement for the fitness wear! Thank you is never enough to say to my family members. Mom and Dad you have helped guide me throughout my years as a pageant girl and I’m so thankful that you have been so supportive of me pursuing my dreams. To my siblings, Kassidy, Brekden and Kenzi, thank you all for your love and support and being my biggest fans. I love you all so much. To the future Miss Coon Rapids Outstanding Teen and Miss Coon Rapids, take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. You never know what it will lead to, I know it will be something great. Time flies but memories last forever, signing off for the last time, I am Miss Coon Rapids Outstanding Teen 2018, Annika Kovar Keep your Holidays bright and merry with some fun and creative healthy snack options!
Grinch fruit kabobs, peanut butter reindeer, and Very Veggy Christmas Tree. Healthy Holidays from Annika! I love the confidence I have gained through competing in Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen! Fun fact: Before my first pageant I was so shy that I couldn't order my own sandwich at Subway. Not only does the Miss Minnesota Outstanding Teen Organization build confidence, it also promotes scholarship, service and success!
|
Annika Kovar
Categories |