Cooper juniors named MSHSL ExCEL Award recipients
Cooper juniors named MSHSL ExCEL Award recipients
![Wyatt Dean and Kyllander Nelson]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1770042472/rdaleorg/gskdmdiqwytp5h9hdlf7/WyattandKyllandercropped.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1770042472/rdaleorg/gskdmdiqwytp5h9hdlf7/WyattandKyllandercropped.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1770042472/rdaleorg/gskdmdiqwytp5h9hdlf7/WyattandKyllandercropped.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1770042472/rdaleorg/gskdmdiqwytp5h9hdlf7/WyattandKyllandercropped.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1770042472/rdaleorg/gskdmdiqwytp5h9hdlf7/WyattandKyllandercropped.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1770042472/rdaleorg/gskdmdiqwytp5h9hdlf7/WyattandKyllandercropped.jpg","width":1660}])
Out of 348 high school juniors nominated from across Minnesota, Wyatt Dean and Kyllander Nelson of Cooper High School (CHS) were selected as two of the 34 Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) ExCEL Award recipients.
The ExCEL Award — Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership — is a unique recognition program designed exclusively for Minnesota high school juniors who are active in school activities, leaders in their schools, and who demonstrate a strong commitment to community service.
“This recognition just brings to light what we witness daily of these two amazing leaders in our building,” said Willie Howard, CHS Activities Director. “I always say FAMILY - forget about me, I love you - and they are walking examples of what that means in leadership. They are finding ways to make CHS and our community a better place now and forever.”
Dean and Nelson will be honored, along with the other 2026 ExCEL Award recipients, during an on-court ceremony at halftime of the Class AAA Girls State Championship Basketball game on Saturday, March 14.
This award is given annually by the Minnesota State High School League and is sponsored by the League’s corporate partner, TruStone Financial Credit Union.