Annual Awards Reception
The LEAF Board recognizes that we would be unable to fulfill our Mission of supporting District 742 activities and academics without the contributions of many volunteers as well as generous charitable donations. In 2004, LEAF began to recognize the people who have made special contributions to LEAF and the District 742 activities program through their tireless service or philanthropic contributions.
LEAF Award Recipients
Phil Welter Volunteer Service Award
For significant and ongoing volunteer involvement with LEAF
2025 Grandpa John Bowden
2024 Ayan Omar, Jesus Sandoval & Abby Peine
2023 Laura Pfannenstein and Shelley Rolfes
2022 Tim Beck
2020 Victoria Hedtke, Nicholas Hollermann & Melissa Hanzek-Brill
2019 Randy Warzecha, Lucille Guinta-Bates & Bruce Watkins
2018 Pat Welter
2015 Jim Pehler
2013 Paul Muller
2012 Wayne Schluchter
2011 Patrick Henry
2010 Robert Feigh
2009 Dennis Smith
2008 Bob & Sue Hanks
2007 Gary Zwack
2006 Jean Sonsteby
2005 John & Kris Scharenbroich
2004 Ken Kelsey
George & Shirley Torrey Award for Charitable Giving
For significant financial or in-kind contributions to LEAF
2025 Individual/Couple: Kevin and Beth Donnelly
2025 Business/Organization: Costco Employee Readers
2024 Individual/Couple: David Krueger Family & District 742 Retired Educators
2024 Business/Organization: J. A. Wedum Foundation, Jay Portz-President
2023 Individual/Couple: Don Helgeson & Sue Shepard, the Schnettler Family
2023 Business/Organization: McDowall Company, St. Cloud Area Golden Gloves Boxing, Inc
2022 Individual: Peggy Carlson & Chuck Nielsen, Janna & Mike LaFountaine, and Janet & Mike Reagan
2022 Business: Al Dahlgren/Once Upon A Child
2020 Proviant Group
2019 Kiwanis Club of St. Cloud
2018 Mark & Ann Thelen, Mike Podawiltz and Diana Murphy-Podawiltz, Liberty Bank-Mark Bragelman
2004 Mike Faber and Viking Coca-Cola
2016 St. Cloud Rotary Club, Jim Rahkshani, Café Renaissance
2015 Vicki & Lee Morgan, Wayne & Julie Schluchter
2013 MARCO, Inc, Jeff Gau, CEO, St. Cloud Morning Optimist Club
2012 Jason Bernick-Bernick’s Vending and Bernick’s Family Foundation, Mark & Angie Benson- Benson Funeral Home
2011 McKay Family Auto/Patty Yarbrough, KDV-Loren Viere
2010 Dick Anderson, Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites
2009 St. Cloud Lions
2008 Barclay and Janet Carriar, Don Farleo Advertising and Design-Don & Diane Farleo
2007 Tom and Joyce Schlough, Lamar Outdoor Advertising
2006 Don and Jan Watkins, Regent Broadcasting
2005 Joanne & Paul Dorsher, St. Cloud Times-Bill Albrecht Publisher
Coaching/Advising Excellence Award
In recognition of demonstrated excellence in helping students excel through activities
2025 Ben Thell and Kristy Husen
2024 Linda Voigt
2023 Mike Trewick and Jeff Wucherer
2020 Nantha Viswanathan
2019 Jill Lipp and Pete Mantanich
2018 Mike Voit, Wayne Chmelik, Karlyn Doyle, and Kerry Kopp
2015 Steve Taylor and Justin Skaalerud
2013 Bernie Rolle and Gary Zwack
2012 Cynthia Kaercher and Karmin Schraw
2011 Megan Pederson and Paul Bates
2010 Kevin Kiffmeyer and Jason Parker
2009 Gregg Martig, Tim Bengtson and Thea Stockinger
2008 Mick Boatz and Sue Williams
2007 Mike Bakken and Bruce Woidyla
2006 Deb Bendix and Dave Hoeller
2005 Ron Kaczor and John Lieser
Instructional Excellence Award
In recognition of educational excellence and accomplishment
2025 Kristen Dollman-Stoll and Amanda Seutter
2024 District 742 VEX Robotics Program and Advisors
2023 Ryan Cox, Director of Innovation & Instructional Technology
2022 Laurie Putnman-Asst. Superintendent and District 742 Bus Drivers and Staff
2021 Kristin Herbert, North Jr. High and Alexandra Badger, Apollo High School
2020 District 742 AVID Program, Jane Greeney-Schill, Director
2019 Tammy Wilson, Principal at Discovery Community School
2018 District 742 Immersion Program, Sue Linn-Hasbrouk, Director
2016 Superintendent Willie Jett
2015 District 742 Early Childhood Education Program, Alicia Jepsen, Director
2013 Jen Day, WE ACT Program Advisor and Sara Martini, PAKRAT Program Coordinator
2013 Mark Weimer, St. Cloud Robotics Program, Jennifer doom, Tech HOSA and Bill Garceau, Tech Skills USA Program
2011 District 742 Advanced Placement Program and Teachers
2010 Meredith Boucher and Denis Huebsch
2009 St. Cloud Education Association, presented to President Mary Broderick
LEAF Lifetime Service Award
For significant and ongoing service to and support of the LEAF Mission
2025 Bruce Hentges
2024 Bruce Mohs
2023 Peggy Carlson
2022 Bob Feigh
2021 Elizabeth Reisinger
2020 Pat Krueger
2019 Pat Welter
2018 Joanne Dorsher
2016 Don Farleo
2015 Barclay Carriar
2013 George Torrey
2012 Don Watkins
2009 Phil Welter