Westonka Students Earn Prestigious State Honor

By Lorrie Ham

Juniors Tyler Hebig and Katey Nelson were recently selected to represent Mound Westonka High School in the state's Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership (ExCEL) program. The ExCEL program of the Minnesota State High School League is designed exclusively for the state’s high school juniors who are active in school activities, show leadership qualities and who are model citizens.

Tyler Hebig is a three-year member of the football team, earning two letters and All-Conference Honorable Mention. He received the Gold Spotlight on Scholarship honor all three years. Tyler is also a three-year member of the wrestling team. He is a team captain, has been named MVP three years and earned three trips to the state tournament. Hebig was a Minneapolis Star Tribune Prep Athlete of the Week and a member of the baseball team.

Hebig participated in the State Fair Art Show, earning first and second place honors. He is also a three-year member of the “A” Honor Roll and a member of Link Crew and National Honor Society.

His community volunteer service includes a variety of activities at Our Lady of the Lake Church, Feed My Starving Children, Urban Immersion Retreats and serving as youth football, baseball and wrestling camp assistants.

“The Urban Immersion retreats gave me the opportunity to see poverty first-hand,” said Tyler. “The experience changed my outlook of the world by showing me that happiness comes from the fact of just being able to live, and seeing that people in poverty are the same as everyone else.”

Physical education teacher and high school athletic coach Kyle Inforzato says Hebig exemplifies sportsmanship both on and off the field while setting an example for his peers.

“Tyler is the personification of positive influence and leadership,” Inforzato said. “He has been a positive influence on others by being a positive role model in the classroom, in the athletic arena and in the community.”

Tyler is the son of Dawn and Donald Hebig of Wayzata.

Katey Nelson is a three-year member of the soccer team, earning two letters and two coaches awards so far. She was honored with the Spotlight on Scholarship Award (A honor roll) all three years and is a member of the varsity cheerleading squad.

Nelson has competed in the State Fair Art Exhibition two years, earning a first-place and an honorable mention.

Nelson is a two-year member of Student Senate, and as chair of the Community Service Committee organized a winter clothing drive. She is also co-chair of the Parade Committee and Dodgeball Committee, and organized a “Fans for Food” food drive. Katey is a two-year member of Math League and Spanish Club. She is a member of Link Crew, National Honor Society and a Distinguished Student Award recipient. She was a tutor and attended WSI Costa Rica.

Nelson’s volunteer community service includes the Westonka Library, Feed My Starving Children, Sharing and Caring Hands, Gillespie Center, the Westonka Food Shelf, Allina Hospital and Teens Matter. She coaches youth girls’ soccer and served as summer soccer referee. She has also made two Guatemalan mission trips.

“After my first trip to Guatemala I realized that my purpose in this world is to use my strengths and abilities to help others survive and succeed,” she said. “This trip changed how I view the world, and I am committed to influencing the views of others so they can be leaders as well. . . Serving and teaching the underprivileged Guatemalan students reinforced my sincere appreciation of my opportunities and motivated me to make a significant difference in our world.”

Student Senate Advisor Lynne Peterson said she has seen first-hand Nelson's demonstration of determination, hard work and enthusiasm

“Most importantly, she has an inherent interest in service work," Peterson said. "She has consistently shown an ability to contribute in meaningful ways to the community around her.”

Katey Nelson is the daughter of Jen Myster and Scott Nelson of Mound.