Seniors Joy Hemmesch and Eric Korman were named Paynesville Area High School's Academics, Arts, and Athletic (AAA) winners.On Wednesday, Jan. 31, a banquet was held at Northern Lights Dining and Lounge in Paynesville to honor district candidates and select the Region 6A winners.
"They represented us well," Matt Dickhausen said. Paynesville had a lot of candidates nominated who are the cream of the crop, he added.
The students are nominated through their school counselor, fine arts department teachers, and coaches. They are judged on their grade point average, academic activities, athletic and fine arts activities and community involvement.
Eric is the son of Bill and Sue Korman. He ranks third in his class. Eric was a member of the state champion cross country team this past fall. He has earned all-conference honors in cross country and track and field.
"By being part of the excellence represented by our success, I learned the true meaning of hard work, dedication, and what it meant to be the best. It meant playing 14 hours a day to perfect our marching band drill, or running over 300 miles during summer vacation and run through all kinds of weather," he wrote in his essay for the nomination.
Eric is a member of the National Honor Society, German club, and Target Leadership. He helps out as a peer tutor, and D.A.R.E. role model. He plays trombone in the pep, jazz, and concert bands where he has received superior ratings at contests with his solos.
"As a member of the concert, marching, jazz and pep bands, I have had the chance to not only enjoy music, but to be part of its creation," Eric wrote in his essay.
Joy is the daughter of Math and Karen Hemmesch. She ranks 13th in her class.
"Being involved in school activities has greatly prepared me for the road ahead. I couldn't imagine high school without being involved in clubs, three sports, and band," Joy wrote in her essay.
Joy has served on the student council three years and is president this year. She is a D.A.R.E. role model, a peer helper, peer tutor, and math aid. She is also a member of PALS, National Honor Society, Target Leadership, and German club.
Joy has competed in varsity gymnastics since seventh grade, volleyball for three years, and track and field, five years. She was the gymnastics and volleyball team captain. She has received all-conference honors in gymnastics her junior and senior year.
Joy plays clarinet in the band and is a member of the flag line for the marching band. She has received excellent ratings for her clarinet solos since ninth grade.