Minnesota Association of  
Alternative Programs  

The MAAP Awards Committee presented its annual awards for the outstanding student, staff and special program at the Annual Conference in Duluth on the morning of February 24th, 2006.  The recipients were chosen as exemplars of MAAP’s mission and of their service to students and their communities.

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Student of the Year

Champlin Plaza Alternative School Student Named Minnesota Student of The Year

Jessica Stoddard, student of Champlin Plaza Alternative School, was named Minnesota Student of the Year at the Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs 21st Annual Conference. The conference was held February 18-19, 2004, at the Mayo Civic Center, Rochester, Minnesota. Jessica was honored at the evening banquet attended by 560 educators from around the state of Minnesota. Jessica's nomination was submitted by the Champlin Plaza Alternative School staff for this honor. The criteria for selection to this honor:

1.) Exceeds expectations at school/work/community
2.) Demonstrates integrity and sensitivity
3.) Is innovated, developing new programs and ideas and
4.) Consistently helps students and staff members.

Jessica has competed in the Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs STARS (Success, Teamwork, Achievement Recognition, Self Esteem) Program. She's the student editor of the school newsletter. She volunteers at elementary schools. After Jessica graduates this spring, she will attend Minot State University to earn a degree in computer web site development and design.

Project of the Year
Birthday Box Project from Redwood Valley ALP

Program of the Year
Learning Alternatives of Spring Lake Park

Staff of the Year
Maureen McCall from White Bear Lake ALC

Retirees Honored
Lola Vedders - Ridgedale
Wally Campbell - Prairie Center
Cheryl Kachenmeister - Highview
Mike Luger - SPPS
Linda Davis - Brainerd

Student of the Year

Serena Lucky from Osseo ALC

Serena is described as a leader in her school. She participates on the Student Leadership Team. Serena is involved with organizing community service activities. She has been a student representative on a staff committee to assess curriculum. Serena also participates in MAAP STARS events. Serena has been described as "having a heart of gold, working extremely hard and facing each obstacle in her life with hope and optimism."

Project of the Year
Girlz Only from Osseo ALC

The Girlz Only project developed by Steve Smarjesse, was a 12 day writing workshop. What made the project unique was that it was for "Girlz Only". A foundation grant helped fund the cost of facilitator Deb Kruse-Field. The girls wrote about abuse, alcoholic parents, the pain of going to a new school, being accepted or not accepted, and experiences of having babies.

Staff of the Year
Gordon Anderson from the Roseville ALP

Gordon taught high school science in the Roseville district for 40 years. This is currently Gordon's 33rd year with the Alternative Learning Program. Gordon instills a love of science and a love of learning to all students. He is able to challenge and mentor the academically talented, but also can inspire those that are afraid of science and see it as a difficult subject. Gordon is also responsible for translating students' academic histories. He participated in the Systems Integration Project: Graduation Standards and State Approved Goals 2000 grant. Gordon also has been designing an on-line distance learning class.

Program of the Year
Runestone Regional Learning Center in Alexandria

The Runestone Regional Learning Center serves Alexandria and many surrounding communities. It has been in existence for 14 years. It serves approximately 400 students each year. It is a program that has continued to grow and improve over the years. In 1989, RRLC had 9 graduates. Today, they graduate about 100 students per year.