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Honors & Awards

2023 RSF Scholarship Winners
The Richfield Spartan Foundation is proud to support a variety of honors and awards recognizing outstanding achievement in our community. Over the years we have continued to expand the number and value of the awards distributed due to the generosity of individuals and sources such as the Desmond Foundation and the Patch Foundation. 26 $1500 awards for 2023.

Top Scholar Award

The Top Scholar Award is presented to a Richfield High School graduating senior who demonstrates strong academic achievement, leadership and community involvement. Applicants must rank in the top ten percent of the senior class.
2023 Award Winner:
Helen Essene Grote, University of Minnesota
Ribka Solomon, University of Southern California in Los Angeles
Previous winners.

AAL (Athletic) Award

Athletic / Academic / Leadership ward - This award honors students who are not only top athletes, but leaders within their high school as well.
2023 Award Winners:
Emily Dzierzak, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Alexander Estrada Cortez, St. Scholastica in Duluth
Julia Ann Lindow, University of Wisconsin in Superior
Previous winners:

Against All Odds (AAO) Award

The Against All Odds Award is presented to a Richfield High School graduating senior, regardless of GPA, who has demonstrated the values of perseverance, fortitude and determination to overcome significant challenges.
2023 Award Winners:
Justin Dylan Chavez Estrada, St Cloud State University
Alexander Esquivel Martinez, University of Minnesota
Tristin Nolden, Iowa Central Community College
Katy Rodriguez Sanchez, University of Northwestern StP
Alan Joaquin Sanchez Vidal, University of St Thomas
Previous winners.

AAO - First Generation College Award

This award is presented to an RHS student who will be a part of the first generation to attend college.
2023 Award Winner:
Jade Hernandez Gil, Augsburg University
Ashley Cherilyn Lucero Gomez, University of St. Thomas
Previous Winners.

AAO - Community / Technical College Award

This award is presented to an RHS student who will be attending a community / technical college in the metro area.
2023 Award Winner:
Aidin Cossette, Hennepin Technical College
Caleb Michael Swenson, Dunwoody College in Minneapolis
Previous winners.

Tom Spooner Award

This award is presented annually to the outstanding male senior athlete who demonstrates outstanding achievement in athletics, citizenship and academic excellence. The award is named for Tom Spooner, a Richfield High School athlete, who died from leukemia in 1959 and personified these criteria.
2023 Award Winner:
Casey Gay, University of St Thomas
Previous winners.

Athena Award

The Athena Award is presented annually to the outstanding female senior athlete based on excellence in individual sports or for participation and accomplishments in team sports.
2023 Award winner:
Grace Anderson, Southwest Minnesota University
Previous winners.

Bill Davis Scholarship

Bill Davis, RHS class of 1960 was not only the most outstanding athlete in RHS history who captained U of M teams and played professional baseball, but he also went on to serve the Richfield community as a coach and president of the Spartan Foundation. Bill wants this scholarship to be open to a college-bound senior who has demonstrated extraordinary dedication to community service within or outside of RHS.
2023 Award Winner:
Elsy Marbeli Cruz Parra, Augsburg University
Rodrigo Ariel Tablas Aguilar, University of Minnesota
Previous Winners:

Desmond Family Foundation Scholarship

The Desmond Foundation came to fruition through the hard work and perseverence of John & Janet Desmond who founded Tom Thumb Donuts, an institution at the Minnesota State Fair dating back to 1950. Its purpose is to engage in causes which help people who have overcome adverse situations. In  partnership with Normandale Community College, The Desmond Foundation participates in the Spartan Foundation's "Against All Odds" scholarship. This award is presented to an RHS student who have excelled academically and athleticly and will be attending Normandale Community College.
2023 Award Winner:
Leonel Ramales Galicia, Normandale Community College
Previous Winners:

Russ Schuveiller Memorial Scholarship

Russ Schuveiller was a member of the RHS Class of 1960. Even after his insurance business thrived, he never forgot where he come from. After Russ' passing in 2014, the family created 2 scholarships in his memory, to be awarded to the male and female student who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in three areas: athletics, academics, and leadership.
2023 Award Winner:
Nathan Alton Gay, University of St Thomas
Josephine Lee Popp, Century College in White Bear Lake
Previous Winners:

Oz Mullerleile Memorial Scholarship

Given by family of OZ, a community member who was an outstanding supporter of RHS activities with a special love for athletics – male and female.
2020 Award Winner:
Molly Stark
Previous Winners:

Steve Grindeland Memorial Scholarship

Given by RHS class of 1972 for a FIRST GENERATION college student in honor of Steve, their classmate who never had the opportunity to attend college.
2023: Award Winner:
Maylen Dominguez, University of Minnesota
Previous Winners:

Bob Tripanier Memorial Scholarship

Given in honor of Bob, a former RHS graduate, class of 1965, and a devoted Spartan ever since. This award goes to a senior who also is devoted to RHS. 
2023 Award Winner:
Trey Anthony Peterson, St Olaf College in Northfield
Previous Winners:

Karnas Family Memorial Scholarship

Honors a softball or baseball player who is exceptionally team-oriented.
2023 Award Winner:
Noah William Durand, Dakota County Technical College
Previous Winners:

Kron Family Memorial Scholarship

Awarded to a senior who, despite diminished family resources will continue his/her athletic career in college.
2023 Award Winner:
Angel Gabriel Mendez Lopez, Carleton College in Northfield
Previous Winners:

Luth Family  Scholarship

Awarded to a senior who will attend a two-year technical school, machinery focus preferred.
2022 Award Winner:
Mauricio Vergara Quiroz
Previous Winners:

Jenny Sandahl Scholarship

Awarded to a senior who is involved, caring, and creative - who makes a difference in the lives of others.
2023 Award Winner:
Jaci Hintz, University of Minnesota in Duluth
Previous Winners:

RHS Alumni Scholarship

Open to any senior who contributed to the success of the school and community. It honors the memory of former RHS students and faculty. Sources of these memorials are Bob Collison and Jim Hare, former Richfield coaches and faculty members. And Paul A. Schmidt, class of 1983.
2021 Award Winner: Helen Nguyen 
Previous Winners:

Distinguished Service Award

This award is presented to recognize individuals who have have unselfishly given their time and resources for the benefit of Richfield youth.
2014 Award Winner: Tom Ulmer & Robert Small
2010: Russ Schuveiller
2011: Ernie and Jean Lindstrom

They Made a Difference Award

This award is presented to recognize individuals who have a made a significant difference in the Richfield community and the Spartan Foundation.
2012: John and Peggy Hamilton
2011: Warren Anondson, Fran Kiedrowski, and Adler Strandquist

Team of Distinction Award

This award is presented to Richfield sports team that has not only shown the values of teamwork off the field but on the field as well. Previous winners.

"Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishment toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results." - Successories
2015: 1963 Football Team, the 1971 & 1972 Baseball Teams, and the 1975 Gymnastics Team.
2014: 1965 RHS Baseball State Champs - Undefeated (25-0)
2011: Women's Fast Pitch - State Champs 1992

Richfield Athletic Hall of Fame

The Athletic Hall of Fame was established in 1991 to honor players, coaches and community leaders making a significant contribution to Richfield High School athletics. Since its inception, 138 individuals have been inducted consisting of 112 athletes, 21 coaches and 5 community leaders. Nomination forms for prospective inductees can be obtained from the Athletic Director at Richfield Senior High School. For up to date information contact the Richfield High School Athletic and Activities Director, Jared Ellerson at RHS.

The following is a list Hall of Fame inductees sorted by year of induction and includes each individual's year of graduation or years of service:
2015: Coach Marc Hamren, Coach Pat Burns, Molly Ramm 2000, Ryan Schrick 1994, Bruce Kottom 1975, Casey Johnson 1993, Troy Jutting 1982, & Community Leader Steve Lindgren
2014: Coach Larry Hendrickson, Andy French 2003, Matt Scanlon 1996, Bill Stark 1972, Tracy Vitols 1989
Previous Winners.