Voting for our ten Outstanding Seniors closes at 12:00 p.m. today. Please use this form to vote. Voting is limited to faculty/staff and senior students only.
The following criteria are used to determine the Outstanding Seniors; (1) Academic commitment and accomplishment (2) Leadership and involvement (3) Commitment to the Lasallian Catholic mission and (4) Nomination by peers/faculty/staff. Please vote for one male and one female nominee which are listed below in alphabetical order by last name. The Outstanding Seniors will be announced on Founders’ Day on March 19, 2024.
Ryann Aschenbrener:
Ryann “Rosie” Aschenbrener, daughter of Crystal Aschenbrener of Whitewater, Wis., is majoring in Criminal Justice and Spanish and minoring in Lasallian Honors and Political Science. At Saint Mary’s, she has held leadership positions for the Criminal Justice Club, Pre-Law Honor Society, and Benefit Dance Committee. She has volunteered in the local community through the Polar Plunge, blood drives, Habitat for Humanity, and charity walks. She has been a Resident Assistant for three years and has worked for campus departments/offices since her freshman year. She completed two internships, one at a youth detention center in Wisconsin and the other at The Anthony ’59 and Sandra Adducci Family Makerspace on campus. She plans to attend law school and work in family law after graduation.
Riley Marie Hall:
Riley Marie Hall, daughter of Sonny and Robin Hall of Dallas Center, Iowa, is a Health Sciences major in the 3+2 Physician Assistant program with Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences. At Saint Mary’s, she has participated in Student Senate, College Republicans, Cardinals Connecting Cardinals, Future Health Professionals Club, and Yoga Club, was a student voting ambassador, and was an active member of a Bible study. Riley also played on the softball team, competed in various intramurals, and worked in the Admissions Office. After graduation, she plans to finish her master’s degree at Mayo Clinic to be a physician assistant and eventually be a P.A. in pediatric critical care.
Kirsten Neistadt:
Kirsten Neistadt, daughter of Seth and Emily Neistadt of Brainerd, Minn., is a Biology Pre-Physical Therapy major. At Saint Mary’s, Kirsten has participated in the Student Activities Committee, Colleges Against Cancer Club, Biology Club, and Ballroom Dance Club. She is a member of the Tri-Beta and Delta Epsilon Sigma honor societies. She also has worked as an executive orientation leader and peer tutor on campus. After graduation, Kirsten plans to apply to medical imaging programs in Minnesota to pursue a career in sonography.
Jacinta Nguyễn:
Jacinta Nguyễn, daughter of François and Trang Nguyễn of Rochester, Minn., is a General Biology major. At Saint Mary’s, Jacinta has participated in Campus Ministry and the Lasallian Honors Program. She also was a peer minister, an officer for the Culture of Life Club, and was involved in writing music for and co-organized the creation of three albums under the “Behold Your Mother Project.” In addition, she participated in the music variety shows and concert choir. After graduation, she plans to apply to be a clinical lab technologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
Madeline Patterson:
Madeline Patterson, daughter of Dale and Melissa Patterson of Albertville, Minn., is pursuing a major in Biochemistry with a minor in Criminal Justice. At Saint Mary’s, Maddie has actively contributed to the Student Activities Committee as the special events coordinator, taking a lead role in organizing and executing events such as Cardinal Fest and Plazapalooza. She was also an orientation leader for incoming students at Saint Mary’s. Her involvement extends to various campus clubs, including the Sustainability Club, Criminal Justice Club, and Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA). Maddie has demonstrated her passion for chemistry by actively participating in the organic chemistry lab as a student leader. She strongly supports the Sigma Alpha Iota (SAI) and Phi Mu Alpha sisters and brothers by regularly attending their performances and showing support at their sporting events. Maddie is currently completing the Mayo Clinic Medical Examiners internship, studying death investigation. Post-graduation, her aspirations include gaining forensic lab experience and ultimately working in a crime lab.
Patrick Derleth:
Patrick Derleth, son of Peter and Susan Derleth of Berlin, Wis., is a History major with minors in Spanish and Political Science. In his time on campus, Patrick has been an avid participant in Campus Ministry, working for the past three years as a peer minister, participating in and leading the Liturgical Choir, and serving as an officer for Knights of Columbus Council #5202, this year as Grand Knight. Additionally, he has been heavily involved with music at Saint Mary’s, playing his trombone as a member of both the Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble, participating in the campus musical variety shows, serving as the vice president and alumni resource officer for the Eta Nu Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity, and as the band manager and music director for the Saint Mary’s Pep Band, which he helped bring back to campus his sophomore year. Academically, Patrick was a proud participant in the Lasallian Honors program and has built upon his classroom learning through internships with GeoSpatial Services and the Winona County Historical Society, where he still maintains a volunteer position. After graduation, Patrick plans to pursue a career in secondary education and obtain his M.A. in Teaching from Saint Mary’s.
Nicholas Kiemel:
Nicholas Kiemel, son of Tom and Annie Kiemel of Colorado Springs, Colo., is a Business Management major and Psychology minor. He has played on the Saint Mary’s men’s ice hockey team for four years. On campus, he has participated in the Student Senate, serving as vice president for campus affairs, and is a Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia musical fraternity member. Academically, Nick has made the Dean’s List every semester at Saint Mary’s and has served as a peer tutor in business, psychology, and theology classes. After graduation, he plans to pursue an MBA and eventually open a hockey pro shop in Colorado.
Noah Kiemel:
Noah John Kiemel, son of Tom and Annie Kiemel of Colorado Springs, Colo., is a Finance and Business Intelligence and Data Analytics double major. At Saint Mary’s, Noah has been on the men’s hockey team for four years and was a member of the Student Senate for three years. He also participated in the Mayo Clinic Innovation Scholars Program and is the current vice president of social media and communications. Noah also attends the Men’s Hockey Chapel weekly. After graduation, he plans on attending graduate school to earn a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration and eventually apply for Mayo Clinic’s Administrative Fellowship Program.
Mitchell Klatt:
Mitchell Klatt, son of Jane and Michael Klatt of Barron, Wis., is an Elementary Education major. At Saint Mary’s, Mitchell has been involved in the Lasallian Honors program and Delta Epsilon Sigma. He has participated in the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Campus Ministry, Lasallian Collegians, and Club Soccer. He has also worked for the ITA (Initial Teaching Alphabet) Literacy Clinic. After graduation, Mitchell plans to teach at an elementary school in Minnesota.
Owen Ziegler:
Owen Ziegler, son of Kevin and Helena Ziegler of Mount Horeb, Wis., is a double major in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics and Business Finance with a minor in Creativity and Inquiry. He is on the men’s basketball team and is a Resident Assistant on campus. He participates in the Intentional Acts of Kindness club, Student Senate, and Student Athletic Advisory Committee on campus. Owen will be interning at Kohler Co. this summer, taking his fifth year of eligibility with college basketball and continuing his education in the Master of Science in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics program.
