Volunteers honored with Coskran Award in District 191

Four extraordinary volunteers and a local faith community have been chosen to receive the 2022 John Coskran Volunteer Awards in Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191 during a School Board meeting on June 9. 

"Part of what makes One91 special is the incredible dedication of staff, students and community members to support each other through service," said Superintendent Dr. Theresa Battle. "Over the past two years, volunteering has often needed to look different as we try to ensure the health and safety of our community, but these honorees found ways to contribute and truly make our district community strong."   

Winners were honored during the Board of Education meeting on Thursday, June 9. 

Recipients of the 2022 John Coskran Volunteer Award are: 

Student:

• Zoe Olson, senior at Burnsville High School, who has been a servant leader on campus in the community, including helping to create and sustain the Blaze Nation Station, which provides free resources from clothes to personal hygiene products to students right on campus. Zoe has volunteered more than 150 hours of service this school year.

Community:

• Pat and John Christiansen have been lifelong stewards of education, including as leaders within Foundation 191, the District 191 grant-making organization. In particular, they have been instrumental in leading the Burnsville High School Community Scholarships Program, with Pat serving as program chair and John serving as Foundation treasurer. This year, the scholarship program awarded more than 100 scholarships totalling nearly $130,000. 

• The Glendale United Methodist Church community has built a strong relationship with Hidden Valley Elementary over the past four years through volunteer activities and by providing financial support for students and families in need. During the pandemic, they stepped up to support and host the Open Door Pantry when the school was unavailable. Glendale community members also helped deliver food directly to Hidden Valley families that weren’t able to attend the pick-up location.

• A former Adult Basic Education teacher, Laura Schrank now volunteers her time, experience and talents in beginning English classes in the District 191 ABE program. Her patience, dedication and passion are clear as she works with students directly. Her positive attitude makes learning English fun. 

This is the 20th year of the awards, which are named in honor of John Coskran, a long-time advocate for volunteerism who served 34 years at Catholic Charities and retired as associate director in 1993. Mr. Coskran, who also served as a member of the District 191 Board of Education, died in 2014. 

For more information about the award or for information on how you can become a volunteer, go to the district website at www.isd191.org/volunteer.