Athena Award
The St. Paul Athena Awards Program honors outstanding female senior student-athletes from St. Paul and suburban high schools who exemplify excellence in athletics. While athletic achievement remains a central component of the award, nominees are also considered because of their leadership, character, sportsmanship, academic commitment, and positive impact within their teams, schools, and communities.
The Athena Award celebrates student-athletes who excel in individual or team sports while demonstrating integrity, kindness, resilience, and respect in all aspects of their lives.
Athena is the Goddess of Wisdom and Skills. She was brave and possessed the essence of all that is noble. Legend tells us that she possessed the gifts of dignity, power, and youth, making her invincible.Â
Visit the St. Paul Area Athena Awards Program website for more information.
SPA Athena Award Process
Each year, St. Paul Academy and Summit School recognizes one female senior student-athlete who exemplifies excellence in athletics and demonstrates leadership, character, academic commitment, and a positive impact within the school community. While athletic achievement remains a significant component of the Athena Award, the selection process also values sportsmanship, integrity, and a student-athlete’s leadership and ability to uplift others.
All SPA senior female student-athletes are eligible for nomination.
For additional information on the SPA Athena Award selection process, click HERE.
The nomination process is LIVE! Complete THIS FORMÂ to nominate a deserving female student-athlete from the Class of 2026.
2026 Timeline:
- Nominations due by 2/9
- Nominees are notified and sent applications by 2/11
- Applications must be returned by 2/17
- Award winner announced by 2/20
- Athena Award Banquette on Wednesday, April 15th
Visit the St. Paul Area Athena website for more information on the award and event details.
Congratulations to senior, Julia Taylor for being named St....
Congratulations to senior, Aurelia Meza for being named St....
SPA Athena Award Winners
1995 Colleen Tierney 1996 Jessi Halverson 1997 Erica Olson 1998 Duretti Fufa 1999 Kyra Hamilton 2000 Obianuju Obi 2001 Sarah Anne Jewell Barnes 2002 Catherine Ferrell 2003 Jillian McKenna Degerness 2004 Martha Polk 2005 Merritt Swain 2006 Hilary Rice 2007 Louis Buckler 2008 Kathleen Cann 2009 Kristin O'Brien 2010 Anne Hart 2011 Delaney Middlebrook 2012 Jenn O'Brien 2013 Lily Rogers-Grant 2014 Sonya Das 2015 Mary Naas 2016 Bridget Hoffmann 2017 Lauren Hansen 2018 Hayley Hoffman 2019 Bailey Donovan 2020 Kathleen Bishop 2021 Erin Cray Magnuson 2022 Naomi Straub
2023 Heidi Deuel
2024 Aurelia Meza
2025 Julia Maria Taylor
