Every year Eden Prairie High School nominates two juniors for the state ExCEL award, which stands for Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership.
According to the nomination information, students most be involved in Minnesota High School League fine arts and/or athletic activities, volunteer in the community and be involved as a leader in their school to be nominated. This year’s recipients are Greg Morgan and Shannon Evans. Shannon Evans  Shannon Evans Shannon Evans is always moving: whether it’s cruising through the snow in Nordic skiing, racing long distances in cross country, or even just hustling around Eden Prairie High School to gear up for a Student Council event, she’s always on the go.
Her days can be pretty hectic. She typically gets up early to finish homework, then heads to Student Council meetings throughout the week. After school, there’s practice, in the winter that includes skiing, and in the warmer seasons, cross country and track. Fitting it all in can be difficult. The challenging aspect to being in Eden Prairie is that it’s “so good at everything,†she noted. It’s hard to stand out when there’s so much talent, she added.