Hard Work Pays Off: Woodbury Honors Outstanding Students

The Prom Center in Oakdale was packed with inspiration—as well as an impressive crowd—Monday night.

The event showcased ’s most talented and hard-working seniors, whose leadership skills, athletic achievements, volunteer service hours, advanced-placement exam grades, and unique personal accomplishments were recognized.

But even these feats could not outshine the excitement on the soon-to-be-graduates’ faces—some beaming with pride, some shy and humble—all reflecting appreciation for their honors in the presence of family, teachers, and fellow students. More than $1 million in scholarships were awarded. (For more photos and a list of honors, click here.)

This year, the annual Senior Awards Program was even more unique: For the first time, the seniors’ future plans were also highlighted publically.

A grand total of $1.39 million in scholarship money was mentioned and awarded Monday night, announced Linda Plante, Woodbury High School principal—and this amount only included those awards reported to the school.

“In this economy… (it) really speaks well for the school and makes me really proud,” said Plante, who called the students “an exceptionally talented class.”

She also pointed out the special connection between the teachers and their students: “It’s truly an honor to be in the presence of such outstanding students.”

The students themselves said they felt honored to finally reach the finish line of their high school careers.

“It’s just unreal,” Chloe Philion said with a big smile, adding that she plans to attend the University of Minnesota and major in communications disorders. “I’m so proud and excited to start the next chapter. I just can’t describe how excited I am.”

Philion was a recipient of the Kopp Family Foundation Scholarship and the American Sign Language Award.

“I want to do interpreting—probably in the medical field, since I’m interested in anatomy as well,” she said. “We’ll see what happens. … It’s such an interesting community (the deaf community), and I want to learn more about it and get more involved.”

Woodbury senior Tristan Carlson is also headed to the University of Minnesota and plans to major in mechanical engineering. Because he has taken enough Advanced Placement classes, he said he aims to finish a master’s degree in the next four years. With such a busy schedule filled with huge responsibilities, what has been his secret to success?

“A lot of planning, and a lot of luck,” he said.

Carlson later added another bit of advice: “The willingness to follow through with a plan.”

Carlson, the National Merit Scholarship Finalist and recipient of the Tozer Scholarship and Science Award, said he is looking forward to graduation and more accomplishments.

“It feels like it’s time for a change,” Carlson said. “It’s about time to get out there and do what I’m going to do.”