Mature, enthusiastic and passionate about serving others are but a few of 18-year-old Jennifer Fleegel’s characteristics. Jennifer is a leader, a scholar and a 3-sport athlete. A senior at Cathedral High School, St. Cloud, with a 3.986 GPA, Jennifer will enter the nursing program at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., this fall. She looks forward to one day using her medical skills to improve the lives of people in Colombia or Africa, places where she already has made an impact through school-sponsored service trips. In 2010, Jennifer spent a month in Colombia. In 2011, she spent a month in Africa. These trips opened Jennifer’s eyes to unimaginable poverty, to education deficits, to life without portable water. Other accomplishments include: Reviving her school’s Students Against Drunk Driving chapter; teaching religion classes for youngsters in her parish; leading the Junior Optimist Club at Cathedral High School; assisting with the Catholic Charities Thanksgiving food drive; and helping organize a spa day for local nursing home residents.

“And like a good neighbor” … Maxine Olson of Foley has been there. Like the slogan in the ad for State Farm Insurance, Maxine has been there for her neighbors, the Foley community and beyond. From the time she moved there in 1955 with her late husband, Burton, Maxine has spent countless hours volunteering for numerous organizations. Spanning nearly six decades of service, Maxine’s volunteer career began with 12 years as the chair of the Benton County Combined Charities. Maxine has been active in her church choir for more than 45 years. She taught Sunday and Vacation Bible School for 18 years, was Sunday School Superintendent for 15 years, and has held a position on church boards including Ruling Elder, Deacon and Trustee. Maxine was involved early on with Elder Network, a St. Cloud Hospital program, to provide companionship to the elderly.

Neurologist Kathleen Rieke, MD, with CentraCare Clinic, is the epitome of what a physician should be. The passion and motivation for her work is fueled by desire to make a difference in people’s lives, ensuring they have access to the care and knowledge they need to lead normal lives, free from the stigma associated with epilepsy. While in medical school, Dr. Rieke supported her mother through the deaths of three grandparents and learned the impact physicians make. Dr. Rieke states, “These experiences motivate me as a physician; it is not always the goal to cure but you need to help them (the families and patients) through the process.” Dr. Rieke chooses to volunteer in her community through multiple organizations despite her large practice, stating now is her turn to give back. Dr. Rieke is active at the state and regional level for the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota. She provides leadership, develops and presents education for providers and the public on how to live a normal life with epilepsy.