Piper Freeburg and Connor Lanoue are this years Triple “A” nominees from Tracy Area High School.
The Minnesota State High School League Academics, Arts, and Athletics Award, commonly known as the Triple ‘A’ Award, honors high school seniors throughout the state who have a 3.0 or higher-grade point average and who participate in League-sponsored athletic and fine arts activities.
To be eligible for the Academics, Arts, and Athletics Award a student must be a high school senior at the time of nomination; have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at the time of nomination; participate in at least one League-sponsored athletic program and one arts/activity program; comply with the MSHSL’s Student Code of Responsibilities; and complete the application form. Each school can submit two finalists to their administrative region secretary by the deadline date specified by the region committee.
Piper Freeburg - daughter of Ashley and David Freeburg Freeburg, a Miss Tracy participant this past year, is a four-year member of the TAHS choir and twice earned a superior rating in solo/ensemble. She also has played volleyball for four years, serving as captain this past fall. In the spring, she has played softball for the Panthers since the eighth grade.
In her essay, Freeburg wrote that she grew up on softball, having started playing when she was 8 years old; she started volleyball in the fourth grade.
Paying her dues as a bench player on the volleyball team, she said, taught her the importance of being a good teammate and helped her develop a positive attitude.
“They depended on my positive attitude to help them do their best on the court,” she said. “My coach saw the way I worked hard at practice and how I was happy to do my role on and off the court. I am proud of my time on the bench.”
Freeburg’s confidence also stems from her time behind the mic singing and on the stage. That confidence inspired her to start a youth worship team at her church and organize an outreach group called Christmas in the Country and a youth team for pre-kindergartners-sixthgraders.
Freeburg’s letter of recommendation was submitted by TAHS teacher Heather Kamrud-Rice, who has worked with Freeburg in the classroom and on the court.
“She never tries to take shortcuts; she is very intent on doing things right,” Kamrud-Rice said. “In rigorous classes, it’s easy to see who puts in extra work at home and who does not. Piper clearly puts in extra work at home. And what’s even more impressive is how she does all that work with such a positive attitude.”
Freeburg will attend the University of Sioux Falls to major in Radiology and Sonography.
Connor Lanoue - son of Katie and John Lanoue Lanoue has been singing with the TAHS choir for four years and carries a 3.766 GPA. His singing background includes a solo at the most recent Pops Concert, an experience he continues to be grateful for and one that required him to put in extra effort both at school and home.
“I wanted to make this solo special by adding in my own creative expression,” he said. “I was very nervous to perform the solo in front of the rest of the choir, but after I sang it, I felt a sense of pride and confidence.”
Lanoue is also a three-sport athlete in football, baseball and basketball. He has participated in all three sports since his freshman year.
In his essay, Lanoue shared his most memorable athletic experience — a save he earned in a one-run win over Murray County Central in his freshman season.
“We had used our other pitchers and needed to get the final out to secure a tight lead. With runners on first and second base, I was able to do my job, and I struck out the final batter for the victory. I had done what I knew I was capable of. This experience helped me to build resilience and mental toughness.” Lanoue’s letter of recommendation was submitted by TAHS Spanish teacher Pamela Anderson. “Connor is a conscientious student,” she said. “He is a role model in the classroom. Connor encourages his classmates to participate and helps them if they are having difficulties.”
Lanoue, who plans on majoring in Communication/Media Arts - Broadcasting at Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, was also a member of the FFA Poultry Team, which earned a Silver at nationals in 2025.
