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Both Ringstad and Thompson were surprised and happy to get the award.

Ringstad's favorite service work was helping at a soup kitchen, while Thompson's was going on a mission trip to a Native American reservation in South Dakota.

Volunteering, said Ringstad, "gives me a chance to make a difference in other people's lives. It is rewarding to help other people and a great way to show them the love of God."

Ringstad, the daughter of Reed and Jane Ringstad, is a peer helper at school, sings in the mixed choir and the pops choir, plays in the band and the jazz band, and is a member of the Letterwinner's Club. She has worked on Habitat for Humanity projects, volunteers at the Paynesville Area Center, helps with highway cleanup, and worked in that soup kitchen.

At Paynesville Lutheran Church, she sings in the choir, leads a Bible study, works in the church nursery, teaches Sunday school, performs special music, and videotapes the services.

Next year, she plans to attend Northwestern College in Roseville. Thompson, the son of Rick and Gail Thompson, is also a peer helper at school, also plays in the band, plays basketball and competes in track, and is a member of the National Honor Society and the Letterwinner's Club.

He is the president of the Koronis Eager Beavers 4-H Chapter.

At Nordland Lutheran Church, he is a youth league leader, a worship lector, a videographer for Sunday morning worship, and an assistant Sunday school teacher. He also sings in the choir and took that service trip to South Dakota through his church.

Next year, he plans to attend North Dakota State University.

Eight seniors received the Lions Service Award this year. In addition to Ringstad and Thompson, winners were Hannah Felling, Adam Leyendecker, Morgan Martinson, Rachel Sogge, Ann Stalboerger, and Susie Swyter.