Christmas Concerts, Dean's Lists and Popping A Balloon: Standout Students

Editor's Note: This is a compilation of news releases about Eden Prairie students who are attending college or expect to in the near future. Eden Prairie Patch has received these news releases over the past month.

Eden Prairie natives perform in Bethel concert

The following Eden Prairie students performed in the 56th Bethel University Festival of Christmas in late November and early December:

• Melissa Bargmann, daughter of Mark and Jodi Bargmann
• Taylor Bothun, son of Stieg and Marilyn Strand
• Elizabeth Solfelt, daughter of Mark and Sarah Solfelt

Schwarz signs with University of Minnesota, Crookston

Erin Schwarz has signed a National Letter of Intent to begin playing for the Golden Eagle volleyball team beginning in the fall of 2013. She is the daughter of Myrna and Joe Schwarz of Eden Prairie.

"She was an All-Lake Conference pick in 2012 for the Eagles," according to a news release from the school. "Schwarz helped guide her squad to a 2011 Class AAA State Championship.

"In 2012, she helped the Eagles again advance to the state championship game where they fell to Lakeville North High School. Eden Prairie finished the 2012 campaign with a 28-5 overall mark."

Crookston head volleyball coach Lee Anderson said, “Erin is a phenomenal athlete with a lot of potential to be an impact player throughout her career,” Anderson said. “We are thrilled she has decided to pursue her academic and athletic goals at UMC.”

Curtiss and Armstrong on Carleton College Dean's List

Molly Curtiss and Amber Armstrong are on the Dean's List at Carleton College. Molly is the daughter of Wynn Curtiss and Jean Curtiss. Amber is the daughter of James Armstrong and Sheila Armstrong.

"The Dean's List is compiled each summer and is drawn from the top ten percent of the previous year's first-year, sophomore, and junior classes," according to a news release from the school.

Prigge on Biola University Dean's List

Michael Prigge of Eden Prairie is one of 1,306 students who were named to Biola University's Spring 2012 Dean's List, according to a news release from the school.

"Inclusion on the Biola Dean's List is an indication that this student is performing exceptionally well in a rigorous academic program," said Patricia Pike, vice provost for undergraduate education. "Our Dean's List students are bright, motivated, engaged, competent, and personable. They are already demonstrating the characteristics of success that results from applied intelligence and that will support future endeavors in society, community, career, and family life."

Peterson and Paulsen perform in St. Olaf Christmas Festival

Brit Peterson and Cassandra Paulsen performed in the St. Olaf Christmas Festival in Northfield, according to a news release from the school.

Peterson, the daughter of Kenneth and Lynne Peterson, is a Manitou Singers. Paulsen, the daughter of Erik and Carolyn Paulsen, is a member of the Chapel Choir.

Biehl, Divish and Heide graduate from University of North Dakota

Three of the more than 800 University of North Dakota graduates at the winter commencement were from Eden Prairie. They graduated on Dec. 14, according to a news release from the school.

The graduates were:

• Melissa Biehl (BSEd)
• Nicholas Divish (BBA)
• Erik Heide (BA)

Paradis in St. Olaf news article

Michael Paradis, son of Bruce and Lisa Paradis of Eden Prairie, was featured in St. Olaf College news story called "Exercise in inefficiency leads to experience in engineering."

The article says Paradis "helped create a contraption that used 191 steps simply to pop one balloon."

"It's kind of funny that my experiences building a machine designed to perform a very simple task in the most inefficient way possible with a bunch of crazy friends would prove indispensable as a mechanical engineering intern at Honeywell," Paradis said in the article.