Connecting with Kids Leadership Award Winners
2024 Award Winners
Livia Epstein, Dream Skates, United Synagogue
Zoya Hasan, Kits for Kids, Vision for All, Edina Give & Go Tennis Clinic
Shale Hornig & Ella Hornig, Tools for School - Simpson Housing Services
Lucia Lazarus, Valentine’s Day gift bags, Children’s Minnesota
Betsy Madson, MN Math Corps, Yearbook Advisor
Jon Newburg, Edina Basketball Association
Gigi Sanders, Christ Presbyterian Church Youth Leader
2023 Award Winners
Thom Propson, Edina High School Varsity Assistant Football Coach
Emma Flaherty, Charlie Greene, Abid Hasan, Nick Presthus, and Elsa Utoft, TedxYouthEdina organizers
Abid Hasan, Vision for All Minnesota nonprofit founder
Molly Seidel, Habitat for Humanity & DECA leader
2022 Award Winners
Lila Emerson & Claire Wegman-Krider, Edina Girls' Sports Summit Leaders
Dedeepya Guthikonda & Izzy Wagener, Edina Reads Writing Contest Organizers
Sreeyutha Ratala, Camp Venom Coding Camp Creator
Connor Killilea, Creative Fundraiser for Second Harvest Heartland
Francesca Lichtenberger & Sabeeh Mirza, Edina Human Rights and Relations Commission Members
Atman Jahagirdar, COVIDedu.org website developer
Saketh Budideti & Kedar Simhadri, Hornet Mentor Connections Organizers
2021 Award Winners
Frannie Kuhs & Jane Tygesson, Art in the Classroom Program Directors
Shane Stumm, Edina Soccer Association coach and program director
Fartun Ismail, Founder of SAWAC, Somali American Women Action Center
Julie James, Community Volunteer
Steve Tschida, Edina High School athletic trainer
Edina Give & Go, honoring the founders of the organization with Meg Rodriguez
Maggie Seidel, Student Leader
2020 Award Winners
Chris Moquist, Community Resource Program Volunteer (and Owner of Yoyo Donuts)
Dan Arom, Community Volunteer with Edina sports organizations and Loaves & Fishes
Jaime Gaard Chapman, EHS Girls Basketball and Girls Tennis Coach/Mentor
Michael Weinkauf, Cornelia Elementary Phy Ed Teacher, School Ambassador
Sara Wegmann, Founder of Her Next Play
Tom, Catherine & Andrew Gump, Rotary Exchange Student Host Family and Community Volunteers
Matthew Hovelsrud, Student Leadership Award Winner
2019 Award Winners
Caroline Correia, Community Volunteer
Ryan Elbing, Edina Hockey Association Coach
Craig Lebakken, Scoutmaster
Beth Swanson, Scoutmaster and Historic Cahill School Marm
Shrey Ramesh, Student Leadership Award Winner
2018 Award Winners
Nicholas Balghiti, OPTIONS tutor, Edina High School
Jim Bizal, Youth Mentor, St. Stephens Church
Craig DeBerg, Ron Hoistad, & Tom Magne, Edina Basketball Association Coaching Team
Ukasha Dakane, Executive Director, FRAYEO, Fortune Relief and Youth Empowerment Organization
Dan Hunt, Edina Sports Booster
Nia Diaby, Student Leadership Award Winner
2017 Award Winners
Jane Cashin, Minnesota Special Hockey President
Officer Mike Seeger, Edina Jr. Police Program Organizer
Erica Allenburg, Arete Academy Volunteer & Passionate Youth Advocate
Fairview Southdale Hospital Junior Volunteer Program (Represented by the FSH Program team)
Patty Dronen, Community Volunteer & Organizer
Ben Larson, Student Leadership Award Winner
2016 Award Winners
Becky Briggs, Access & Strive Volunteer
Ann Dickey, Sharks Swim Team Head Coach
Cathy Cella, Confirmation leader and retired Edina School Board member
Ed Luterbach, Boys Flag Football Commissioner
Dulce Torres, Family Center Pre-K Volunteer
Owen Stidman, Student Leadership Award Winner
2015 Award Winners
Chelsea Korsh, Edina Youth Cheer
John Bower, STEM mentor
Jerry Potter, "Do the Right Thing" program creator
Sid Ramesh & Dennis Bao, Genesis Test Prep founders
Andrea Kellar, Golf for Life/Golf for Hope
Adi Mittal, Student Leadership Award Winner
2014 Award Winners
Dr. Beverly Claflin, Director of Music, Mt. Olivet Church
Kathleen Foye MacLennan, STRIVE volunteer and ACCESS founder
Edina Fire Department
Nancy Schaber, Fairview Southdale Volunteer Specialist
John Flynn, Camp Enterprise Leader
Creek Valley PTA Wellness Committee
Chetana Guthikonda, Student Leadership Award Winner
2013 Award Winners
Gary Dietz, Minister of Youth - St. Stephens Episcopal Church
Linda King, Neighborhood Organizer
Ann Schulze, STRIVE Volunteer
Tony Harmon, Valley View Security Monitor
Katie Quinn, Kids Voting Edina Volunteer
Chris Tower, Concord Elementary Teacher
2012 Award Winners
Tom Balke, EHS Student, Sober Squad
Jeff Long, Edina Police Chief
Carol McPheeters, CRP Volunteer
Dr. David Henderson, EPS Music Department
Heidi Howard, EHS Dean of Students
Emily Johnson, Homework Help volunteer
Mark Lobben, Coach
2011 Award Winners
Bill Smith, Edina Hockey Coach
Leslie Kreofsky, STRIVE Liaison
Jim Chamberlain, Boy Scout Troop Leader
Rotary Rocks the Y
Arlou McPherson, EHS Office Assistant
Margaret Lobeck, Student Volunteer
2010 Award Winners
Edina Morningside and Edina Rotary Club
Michael Pretasky, EHS Dean of Students
Mary Smith, Cornelia ESL Teacher
Pamela Mills, Fairview Southdale Volunteer Services Manager
Jerry's Enterprises
Dr. Harold Hanson, Volunteer with Disabled Young Adults
Bob Gubrud, Volunteer
Sober Squad
2009 Award Winners
Edina City Council and Mayor
Emma Weisberg & Shari Mohtadi, "Rock for Darfur" Organizers
Kids Voting Edina
Beth Solberg & Amy Hill, Valley View Theater Programs
Mary Streier, Edina Family Center School Readiness Supervisor