Saint Peter High School seniors Laura Klatt and Corbin Herron were recently announced as the school’s 2023-24 Triple A (Academics, Arts, and Athletics) Award winners.
“The Triple A Award is a great award through the MSHSL as it allows students that are involved in multiple aspects of the school community to be featured and awarded,” SPHS Activities Director Shea Roehrkasse said. “Both Laura and Corbin are not only state-level athletes, but also are involved in different fine arts activities, and excel in the classroom. Both are incredibly deserving and great representatives of SPHS.”
Established in 1988, the Minnesota State High School League’s Triple A Award is sponsored by AAA-Minnesota and Fairview Sports and Orthopedic Care. The award goes to high school seniors who have a “B” or better grade point average (GPA) and participate in League-sponsored athletic and fine arts activities. Triple "A" Award recipients are selected by a multi-level process involving the League's member schools and administrative regions.
The following are brief profiles of this year’s SPHS Triple A Award winners:
Laura Klatt
Laura Klatt, the daughter of Kathleen and Joseph Klatt, maintains a well-balanced schedule during her time at SPHS, all the while earning a 4.136 weighted grade point average (GPA). During her time, she has engaged herself in several AP (Advanced Placement) and College in School courses.
“I’m honored to be the Triple A winner this year (for SPHS),” Klatt said. “It wouldn’t have been possible without all of the support I’ve had from my family, friends, teachers and coaches. I’ve had amazing teachers these past four years, wonderful coaches that have helped me be the athlete I am today and I’m grateful to be surrounded by my extremely supportive relatives and friends. This award means a lot to me and it’s a reflection of all the work I have put in to become the best possible athlete, musician and person that I can be.
“I knew there were a lot of other really strong candidates for this award so I was very surprised to be selected as this year’s winner. I was very happy and excited to revive this honor,” Klatt added.
She has had a stellar academic career during her time here at SPHS and was a member of the SPHS chapter of the National Honor Society. Klatt has been a part of the A Honor Roll throughout her high school years as well.
Klatt is very active in fine arts having been a member of the SPHS Concert Choir and Concert Band (trombone) since the ninth grade. She also earned a section superior rating for her involvement in the band program her sophomore year. She also has studied the piano since age 6.
A three-sport standout for the Saints, Klatt has won multiple letters in swimming and diving as well as gymnastics. She also went out for track and field her junior year as a pole vaulter. Klatt is a two-time state qualifier in diving including placing fourth at the State Class A Meet this past fall for the Saints. She also earned All-Big South Conference and honorable mention all-state honors in gymnastics. To top it all off, she is a two-time school record holder for the Saints strength training program.
Her future plans include attending either the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse or St. Olaf College and majoring in biology. She also hopes to compete collegiately in diving.
Corbin Herron
Corbin Herron, the son of Abby Martin and Pat Herron, maintains a well-balanced schedule during her time at SPHS, all the while earning a 3.971 weighted grade point average (GPA). During her time, he has taken several AP (Advanced Placement) and College in the School courses.
“I am very grateful to have received the AAA award,” Herron said. “High school arts, athletics, and academics have made a huge difference in my life and have changed the course of my life forever. I hope to continue to pursue the triple A's in my future as a student-athlete and in my future career.”
Herron has been a great student role model here at SPHS, and has had a unique journey from a fine arts perspective. He has worked with the Saints’ theater department for the past four years working as a lights programmer and operator. He also has made several short films as part of the SPHS media production class. “These films have been shown to a school audience, and I have accumulated thousands of views online,” he added.
During his time wearing a Saints athletic uniform, Herron is perhaps best known for his prowess on the track. A three-time letter-winner on the track, Herron won a state title in the 110-meter high hurdles as a sophomore and just missed a second-straight title by one-hundredth of a second his junior year. He also placed 10th in the 300-meter hurdles last year as well. He also is a four-year cross country varsity participant and was part of the Saints’ boys basketball team from 9th through 11th grade.
Herron plans to attend either the University of Minnesota-Duluth or Western Washington University to run track, with hopes to major or minor in film and potentially participate in theater.
(ABOVE) SPHS seniors Corbin Herron (left) and Laura Klatt (right) are this year’s winners of the school’s Triple A Award.