Four Minnesota high school students have been selected as the 2026 Triple ‘A’ Award state scholarship recipients.
The 2026 Triple ‘A’ Award state scholarship recipients are Lauren Gazdzik, St. Cloud Tech; Drew Gullickson, Fertile-Beltrami; Katrina Hitchen, Fertile-Beltrami and Tanner Johnson, Bemidji. Each student will receive a $4,000 scholarship.
“We are proud to recognize, honor and celebrate these well-rounded students,” said Charlie Campbell, the League Associate Director who administers the Triple ‘A’ program. “They have demonstrated excellence and achievement in academics, the arts/activities and athletics and are leaders in their schools and communities.”
Drew Gullickson
Fertile-Beltrami High School
Grade-point average: 4.0
Activities: Band, Choir, One Act Play, Robotics, Football, Basketball, Baseball, Track and Field
Drew has been president of the school’s National Honor Society chapter since his sophomore year and, this year, he’s senior class president. When Drew and his classmates found out the school lost its choir director, they created their own pop choir. The group sang in two concerts and even earned Superior ratings. He plays tight end on a football team that has qualified for the state tournament every year since ninth grade and won the Class 9-Player state championship last year. During his junior year, Drew was captain of the Boys Basketball team that placed second at the in the Class A state tournament. Drew will continue playing basketball for Concordia-Moorhead next year. Drew also volunteers to help his coaches work with elementary-school students in his sports.
Quote: “As a leader, I learned how to be confident, treat others with respect and show compassion to my teammates … I bettered the team by focusing on the success of the whole group rather than my individual success.”
College plans: To study nursing at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., and play basketball.
KIM HITCHEN
Fertile-Beltrami High School
Grade-point average: 4.0
Activities: Band, Choir, One Act Play, Volleyball, Cross Country Running, Basketball, Track and Field
Katrina is a member of the National Honor Society and has been busy with 10 college-level courses as she prepares for a nursing degree. She also plays the saxophone and has received Superior ratings in both choir and band. When Katrina’s not studying or performing music, she’s running. She placed in the top 10 at the Track and Field State Meet four times since seventh grade. In 2024 she was the Class A 400-Meter Dash runner-up, which she says was an incredible feelingl. Katrina is the reason why her school has a Girls Cross Country Running team. She went to a School Board meeting requesting that it be added as a sport so she could train. Katrina is also captain of the Girls Basketball team.
Quote: “Track, cross country and basketball have taught me lessons far beyond competition. Learning perseverance, leadership, resilience and what it means to show up for others even when you’re hurting or not in the spotlight.”
College plans: To major in nursing at University of North Dakota in Grand Forks and to participate in Track and Field at the NCAA Division I level.
HISTORY
Established in 1988, the Academics, Arts and Athletics Award, popularly known as the Triple ‘A’ Award, recognizes high school seniors from across Minnesota for their achievements in academics, the arts/activities and athletics. To qualify, students must have a 3.0 grade-point average or better and participate in League-sponsored athletics and arts/activities programs. League member schools are invited to nominate one boy and one girl for the award. Award recipients are selected through a multi-level process involving the League’s administrative regions and a committee of educational, athletic and arts/activities leaders.
Since its inception 1988, more than 17,000 students have represented their school in the Triple ‘A’ Program.
