Each year the North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale Community Education Advisory Council honors individuals, groups and staff members who have demonstrated a commitment to lifelong learning with Excellence in Community Education Leadership (EXCEL) Awards. The council invites you to make a nomination recognizing the outstanding work and achievements of someone in any of the categories listed below. Nominations must be submitted no later than March 2, 2026.
Community Partnership Award
Presented to a business, organization, individual or district staff member for providing significant support to District 622 Community Education programs.
Lifelong Learner Award
Presented to an individual or group for exemplifying learning as a lifelong process and demonstrating a continuing desire to learn and grow through active participation in District 622 Community Education programs.
Heart of the Community Award
Presented to an individual, group or Community Education staff member who demonstrates the District 622 Community Education philosophy of serving the community.
Community Education Youth Award
Presented to a youth or group of youth who have contributed to their community through their participation in District 622 Community Education youth programs.
Senior Friend Award
Presented to an individual or group who has contributed to the senior community by their participation, leadership, or service in District 622 Community Education programs.
Bette Jayne Haak Community Service Award
Presented to an individual who demonstrates the same passion for our district around education, volunteerism and community service that our Betty Jayne (B.J.) Haak had.
This award is named in memory of the incomparable B.J. Haak. B.J. was a member of the Community Education Advisory Board for over 40 years, because she loved education and community service. She was the first woman ever elected to our District 622 Board of Education in 1975. She was very involved in her community with selfless volunteering in an extraordinary number of roles: advocate for the Midwest Kidney Foundation, home visitor for Catholic Charities, Chairman of the U of MN foreign student exchange, girls sports coach, and much, much more. She loved giving back to her community that she felt gave so much to her.
Anyone is eligible to nominate an individual or group for an EXCEL award. Nomination information should be completed and submitted by March 2, 2026. It should address the following: involvement, achievement, leadership, cooperation and teamwork. If you have questions, please call 651-748-7631.
Community Education staff are eligible for nomination for the Heart of the Community Award. All district staff are eligible for the Community Partnership Award and the Bette Jayne Haak Community Service Award.
The EXCEL Awards committee will review nominations to assure award criteria are met.
