Allie Shimkus, a Bemidji High School junior, joins House Speaker Rep. Kurt Daudt, R-Crown, left, and Rep. Matt Bliss, R-Bemidji at the speaker’s rostrum in the House chamber Wednesday at the Capitol in St. Paul after receiving a statewide Boys & Girls Club award.
ST. PAUL – Allie Shimkus, a Bemidji High School junior, received the royal treatment from Rep. Matt Bliss, R-Pennington, and other legislators at the Capitol on Wednesday, one day after she earned a statewide Boys & Girls Club award in St. Paul.
Shimkus was recognized by the House for receiving the state Youth of the Year recognition from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Minnesota. She is a member of the Bemidji chapter of the club and, for the state competition, she created a portfolio composed of a speech, three essays, three letters of recommendations and other supporting documents.
Her efforts earned her a $15,000 scholarship. Bliss and House Speaker Rep. Kurt Daudt, R-Crown, brought Shimkus to the House chamber’s rostrum for a photo session.
“Talk about an impressive individual who, at such a young age, already is making a difference in our community,” Bliss said. “I was proud to highlight Allie’s accomplishment on the House floor, offering my congratulations on behalf of the Minnesota House of Representatives. The sky’s the limit for Allie.”
As the statewide Youth of the Year, Shimkus will represent Minnesota at the Boys & Girls Club’s Midwest Youth of the Year event in Chicago this July. Shimkus is the first member of the Bemidji chapter to receive this honor.
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