District 196 juniors Sarah Labarere of Rosemount High School and Ankit Mukhopadhyay of Eagan High School have earned ExCEL honors from the Minnesota State High School League for leadership and service.
Ankit Mukhopadhyay
Ankit is a dedicated leader in Youth in Government, Model U.N., Student Council, and Math Team. He excels in speech, debate, and tennis and performs in the top concert and jazz bands. He serves on the District 196 Legislative Advisory Council and Rotary Interact Club and is a student board member for the Eagan Community Foundation and The Drawer.
"I have seen Ankit develop into one of the best male leaders and role models that I have taught over the past 29 years,” shared an Eagan High School teacher. "Ankit is an astounding leader because of his emphasis on positive moral decision-making, his exemplary character, his kindness, and his intrinsic drive for success. Many great students have entered the doors of Eagan High School, but only a handful are able to make the impact that Ankit has made as a junior."
Sarah Labarere
Sarah is a standout soccer and track and field athlete who has been all-conference and a two-time state qualifier. She has actively participated in both choir and band and earned superior and excellent ratings competing in the solo and ensemble contests. A DECA state qualifier and National Merit Scholar (10th grade), she is a member of the National Honor Society and the French National Honor Society Tri-M National Honor Society and Student Council. Sarah is also active in clubs where she is the Co-President of the Future Medical Professionals Club and an active participant in DECA, HOSA, and Champions Club. Committed to service, she volunteers at her church, is an RAAA youth coach, and volunteers at a local hospital.
In her ExCEL application, Sarah wrote that she values creating joy in other people’s lives. She also wrote, “learning from adversity and challenges in our lives, we can all learn to become better people. And in doing so, we can become better leaders who have learned from past experiences and ultimately use newfound wisdom to lead effectively, positively, and most importantly, with empathy.”
About the MSHSL ExCEL Award
The ExCEL Award – which stands for Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership – is a unique recognition program designed exclusively for Minnesota high school juniors who are (1) active in school activities, (2) leaders in their schools, and (3) who demonstrate a strong commitment to community service.
Each EXCEL student completed a rigorous application process, which included a student essay, records review of all student activities and leadership positions, and a nomination from school administration to the Minnesota State High School League.
The final ExCEL Award recipients were then selected by an independent panel of judges from Minnesota schools. The select group is honored at the State Basketball Tournament in March.
The ExCEL Award for Excellence in Community, Education, and Leadership annually recognizes high school juniors for outstanding leadership and involvement. District 196 ExCEL nominees for 2025 were: India Rutten and Ryan Christiansen (Apple Valley High School); Saanvi Seth (Eagan High School); Herawie Kebede and Aldon Roe (Eastview High School); and Ari Paitich (Rosemount High School).