Molitor, Kraus are Triple "A" winners

Posted on: Jan 13, 2020

It can be challenging enough to earn separate successes in the classroom, on the stage or in athletic competition, so it takes a special student to excel in all three arenas at once.

Two such Delano seniors were recently named the school’s Triple “A” Award winners. The award is a Minnesota State High School League honor that recognizes students who excel in arts, academics and athletics. 

Maria Molitor and Jon Kraus both said they were both surprised at the honor, though their interests and activities certainly cover the full spectrum of student life.

“It feels good to be recognized for everything that you do,” said Molitor.

Maria Molitor
Molitor, the daughter of Ken and Tami Molitor of Delano, has been a familiar face on stage during Delano High School drama productions in recent years, and also held down the No. 1 singles spot on the varsity tennis team over the past three seasons. She has served as a captain of both the tennis and track teams.

“I’ve learned you can be competitive, have grit and still play with grace,” Molitor wrote in an essay as part of her Triple “A” application. 

Her tennis coach, Kim Finn, agreed that Molitor had a rare ability to strike that balance. 

“Maria is one of the best leaders that I have had in my 21 years of coaching,” Finn said in a letter of recommendation. “She knows when to step up and take the lead. Her communication skills are impressive for a teenager. Whatever she puts her mind to, she gets it done. Maria is a hard worker and will continually want to improve on whatever she is doing.”

In the classroom, Molitor has earned a weighted grade point average of 3.94 while taking multiple Advanced Placement and College in the Schools courses. She has enjoyed challenging herself in math and science courses, but said some of her favorite classes have included human geography and choir, including the select ensemble Sound Revolution.

“I love choir class,” she said. “It’s not like a sports team, but you kind of have that same dynamic where you can trust everyone in your class and it’s like your family. You get to do something you’re really passionate about and you work together to create music.”

Molitor has been involved in theater since third grade, and most recently played prominent roles in “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare [Abridged]” and “Elf.” Outside of school she has even started her own entertainment business that involves compiling and creating her own songs, trivia, props and music. Another artistic accomplishment included placing second with an original story for children in a national competition.

How does she manage to excel in all areas?

“Don’t procrastinate,” she said with a laugh. “I like to plan and set goals for the next day to get done.”

While Molitor has not yet chosen a college for next fall, she plans to pursue a degree in communications and perhaps seek out work in event management.

“I’m excited about the future, and I plan on being a collegiate athlete,” Molitor wrote in an essay as part of her Triple “A” application. “Arts, academics and athletics have shown me nothing is impossible and to believe in my abilities. I am thankful for the opportunity to be challenged in all three areas of my life and flourish as a person here at DHS.”

Jon Kraus
Kraus is the son of Mark and Sherri Kraus of Independence. While taking Advanced Placement and numerous College in the Schools courses, he has managed to maintain a 4.0 GPA in addition to his participation in various activities. 

His work with the robotics program is particularly notable. Kraus helped form a team that earned a rookie all-star award and competed in the world competition, and he has also been a semi-finalist for the FIRST Robotics dean’s list the past two years.

“Robotics … has provided learning experiences including marketing, community outreach, budgeting, design, team building, problem solving, as well as applying technology to solve problems,” Kraus said in his Triple “A” application.

A specific example of technical know-how outside of robotics came when Kraus developed a camera and monitor system for a cyclist who was blind in one eye to improve safety and help the cyclist see both sides of their surroundings.

“This project piqued my interest in the field of human impact and not just the technicalities of how things work,” Kraus wrote in his Triple “A” application. “Identifying a problem, researching a solution and creating new ideas to help real people with real problems ignites my passion to make a difference.”

Kraus also competes as a member of the soccer team in the fall, serves as a manager for the hockey team, and performs as a member of both the band and the choir.

“I have pretty diverse interests, so the things I do are kind of spread across everything,” Kraus said.

Math teacher Amanda Weinandt wrote a letter of recommendation for Kraus, drawing on their work together in the classroom and through Student Council.

“Jon is always prepared for class and works hard to really comprehend the concepts,” Weinandt wrote. “He asks quality questions when unsure of the concepts, searching for a better understanding of the material. He strives for the very best and is not satisfied with anything less.”

Kraus said math and science are his favorite subjects in school.

“Calculus is pretty interesting for me because it gives you the ability to apply certain things in the real world,” he said. “Psychology is also interesting because it gives you a better understanding of how people behave and interact with each other.”

Like Molitor, Kraus said the key to succeeding in numerous areas at once is focus and time management.

“It’s just about working hard in everything that you’re passionate about ‒ being committed,” he said.

In the years ahead Kraus plans to study in the University of Minnesota’s College of Science and Engineering. Biomedical engineering or computer science are degree areas he may pursue.

Weinandt said Kraus has the make-up to succeed in his future endeavors, both because of the way he has challenged himself with the most difficult courses in high school, and in the ways he has stepped up in other leadership capacities.

“I have witnessed Jon volunteer to help the school and community. I have trusted him with tasks that impact the entire student body, and I have seen him go out of his way to help others,” she wrote. “Jon Kraus is an exceptional student and person.”

Kraus said his development is due to many of the opportunities he has had in Delano.

“The three As have shaped my life and made me who I am today,” he said.

Post Categories: High School