Updated: Exchange Club Recognizes Eastview High School Senior For ACE Award

The Minnesota Valley Exchange Club met Tuesday morning at Eagan City Hall to present an Eastview High School senior with the A.C.E. Award.

The A.C.E. (Accepting the Challenge of Excellence) Award is given to students who have overcome great physical, emotional or social obstacles, and are eligible for high school graduation.

Anthony Metz of Eastview High School, Alyssa Yates of Eagan High School, Tiara Sarff of Rosemount High School and Nolan Nielsen of Dakota County Vo-Tech High Schools were this year's four seniors selected to receive the annual award and $100.

Of the four students, Metz was selected by the Minnesota Valley Exchange Club to move on to the district (or state) competition and was given an additional $200.

Metz has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and must use an electric wheelchair.

According to Anne Scholen, a counselor at Eastview High School, "Tony has had to work harder than most students to achieve the things he has achieved."

Despite his limitations, Metz has taken at least two honors or advanced placement (AP) classes each year at his high school. This year, he is taking AP statistics and AP psychology and physics.

"Tony has not let his disability get in the way of participating fully in school life outside of the classroom as well. He has been a member of the chess club, and has even been employed to teach a beginner's chess club in the district," Scholen said. "He also served as a manager for the Eastview wrestling team-a position with great responsibility that can take up to 20 hours a week of dedication."

Metz and his family have also been involved with the Muscular Dystrophy Society and participated in his church youth activities.

In addition to receiving his award and speaking to the exchange club, Metz had to write two narratives: 1) describing an event or events in his life that he is most proud of and 2) describing his plans for the future to make the community and world a better place to live.

The district competition will be held on June 17-19 in North Mankato. 

"Judging will be based on experiences, essays and recommendations from the school and the Minnesota Valley Exchange Club," Bob Lane, exchange club treasurer, said.

The winner of that competition will be awarded $500 and entered into the national competition. The winner of the national competition will receive a $10,000 scholarship.