An Austin High School student is now a top contender for the Minnesota for the Academics, Arts and Athletics award.

Eighteen-year-old Hanna Middlebrook, a senior, has advanced from the regional level to the statewide level of the Minnesota State High School League’s (MSHSL) Triple “A” scholarship program.

Middlebrook, the daughter of Kay and Rodney Middlebrook, and AHS student Steven Rizzi, the son of Steve and Signe Rizzi, were nominated by a committee for the award, which recognizes well-rounded students who have excelled in academics, the arts and athletics in school.

Tim Hermann, activities director at AHS, said the MSHSL has a “pretty rigorous set of standards” for the award, which includes a $1,000 scholarship for four consecutive years.

Hermann said Middlebrook is a “great student.”

“Boy, she’s just involved in everything,” he said.

Middlebook’s list of activities include: band, orchestra, choir, Youth Leadership, student council, National Honor Society, Go Green Club, and she is a captain of the basketball and tennis teams. She also takes private piano and oboe lessons and performs for events.

Middlebrook said the Triple “A” is “really a great honor for all the hard work I’ve put in. Those are all the things I love to do.

“It would be weird to come home after school and not have anything to do,” she said.

Middlebrook said she plans to attend either St. Olaf College or the University of Wisconsin-Madison next fall to study biology. She hopes to some day become a nurse practitioner.

Last year’s winners of the Triple “A” award were: Ellen Gustafson, Houston; Ali Khalili, Byron; Cecilia Noecker, Highland Park; and David Dulak, Red Wing.