Bjornson, Friesz earn Triple 'A' honors
Excelling in the classroom, on the playing field or in the arts takes hard work and perseverance. Becoming a leader in all three areas simultaneously is a testament to a student’s character as well as their skill.
For that reason, Buffalo High School is proud to recognize seniors Hope Bjornson and Mitchell Friesz as its Academics, Arts and Athletics Award winners for 2025. The Minnesota State High School League honor, also known as the Triple ‘A’ Award, is given annually to two students who stand out in diverse disciplines.
“Hearing what it’s about and what it represents makes me feel humbled and honored to be the recipient of the award,” said Friesz.
Bjornson agreed.
“I have heard of it, but I never really considered it to be something I would get,” she said. “I know a bunch of people who could have also gotten this award, so I was kind of shocked. I’m honored.”
Hope Bjornson
In her Triple ‘A’ paperwork, Bjornson explained how her academic focus has shifted from outcomes to seeing how a variety of classes can help her grow, discover her primary interests and plot a course for her future. That mindset has not diminished her results, as she has managed to maintain a 4.0 grade point average even while taking numerous College in the Schools courses.
“I like each subject for different reasons,” she said. “I like math and science a little better than most because I like figuring out how things work.”
Bjornson has carried the same exploratory mindset into her athletics and activities endeavors. She had never taken a choir class before high school, but now considers it one of her favorite parts of the day and is a member of the select BHS Singers group.
“I find my rest in taking time to participate in choir, as it enhances my performances both athletically and academically,” Bjornson wrote in her Triple ‘A’ application.
She joined cross country as a sophomore, and learned to embrace the physical and mental challenges of distance racing.
“Running means not always measuring up to our own expectations but having the courage to enter the race,” she wrote. “This ability to continue pursuing improvement despite a momentary lack of success has guided me throughout my life in athletics, academics and art activities.”
Bjornson also competes in track and field, participates in Mock Trial and yearbook, and is a member of the National Honor Society and Tri-M music society.
“I just like doing really different activities and learning a bunch of new skills,” she said. “It helps me learn what I like and don’t like. It helps me know what I want to do in the future. And I like the different communities. I get to know a bunch of new people.”
Staying focused enough to achieve success in a variety of areas is difficult, but Bjornson said that her advice is to take each responsibility as it comes.
“You have to be dedicated. You have to want it for yourself,” she said. “It’s hard to go home after music practice and work out and do my homework. Sometimes it feels impossible. But you have to remember that it is possible. Take away those negative thoughts and hone in on the thing you’re doing right then, and stay in the present.”
In a letter of recommendation for Bjornson’s Triple ‘A’ candidacy, BHS Choir Director Zack Carlson-Giving said that she “exemplifies the qualities of academic excellence, artistic dedication and athletic achievement that this award celebrates.” Carlson-Giving went on to highlight Bjornson’s technical skill paired with work ethic, as well as her genuine kindness, poise and leadership capacity.
“As an educator, I have rarely encountered a student as multifaceted, articulate, and humble as Hope,” he wrote.
Next fall Bjornson plans to attend the University of North Dakota and pursue either nursing or pre-law. Depending on her schedule and available opportunities, she plans to continue singing and to join an intramural running club.
She is the daughter of Bart and Jill Bjornson of Buffalo.
Mitchell Friesz
Like Bjornson, Friesz has a 4.0 GPA even while challenging himself with numerous advanced classes.
“My favorite subject overall is the sciences because of its diversity,” said Friesz. “Chemistry, biology, I find them all very fascinating. Another subject I really like is math. It just comes naturally to me, understanding numbers and calculations.”
Friesz needs no introduction to Bison sports fans, or to music afficionados. He is a key member of the basketball team, has been named a captain of the tennis team, and also played football his junior season. As for music, the winter orchestra concert featured one of his own compositions. A standout on the cello, he also plays in the Chamber Strings ensemble, with the Buffalo Community Orchestra, and as a pit orchestra member for school and community theater productions.
“Mitchell is a wonderfully unique student,” said BHS Orchestra Director Kristine Wiese in a letter of recommendation. “He is quiet, hard-working, musically talented, helpful, and a confident leader. He is also extremely successful at balancing out his many talents between academics, music and sports, and considers them all to be of equal importance.”
“It keeps me busy,” Friesz said of his various endeavors, which include volunteer time with National Honor Society and Tri-M. “I really enjoy all the things I do. I wouldn’t do them if I didn’t like it. For me it’s about finding a balance and doing what I am passionate about. I’ve put in a lot of time for basketball, and I’ve put in a lot of time for orchestra. I’m just trying to use all those skills I’ve been developing and pursue my passions.”
Next fall Friesz plans to attend Gustavus Adolphus College and pursue a degree in biochemistry or molecular biology.
“What I’m hoping to do out of that is study either different parts of the body or different diseases or cancers – find the main problem behind them so solutions can be found,” he said.
At the same time, Friesz hopes to minor in music, play in the orchestra and continue private lessons, as well as play basketball.
What are his keys to success?
“You have to be dedicated and hard-working and put the time in,” he said. “You might be interested in something, but if you don’t practice for a sport or try to make yourself better, you won’t get the most out of it. Even if you have very little time, focus on one thing for that short amount of time, and then you can really focus on something else for a short amount of time too. That helps you grow and be the best at what you’re doing.”
Friesz is the son of Joshua and Stephanie Friesz of Buffalo.
