TCU student board representative Jewels Rodder awarded MSBA scholarship; board and community applaud

The Tri‑City United School Board on Tuesday recognized senior and student board representative Jewels Rodder as one of three recipients of the Minnesota School Boards Association’s 2026 Robert E. Meek Student School Board Member Scholarship. Kirk Schneidawind, MSBA executive director, announced the award and presented the $3,000 scholarship during the board’s May 26 meeting at the TCU High School media center.

Schneidawind said a five‑member MSBA selection committee chose Rodder from more than 50 applications, citing “outstanding academic record, exceptional leadership, deep community involvement, and entrepreneurial spirit.” Presenters noted Rodder has a 3.9 GPA across high‑school and college coursework, has served in student council in multiple officer roles and started the district’s first pop‑tab drive and other community service efforts.

Kristi Peterson, MSBA board director who introduced Rodder, and Mike Fyle, the district’s MSBA board representative, described Rodder’s work training future student representatives and representing Tri‑City United at the 2026 MSBA Leadership Conference. Teacher endorsements read at the meeting emphasized Rodder’s work ethic and character.

Rodder was also acknowledged at the meeting for receiving a $5,000 scholarship from a local Red Cross committee; meeting speakers said the committee awarded Rodder $2,000 of that $5,000 at the board meeting. Members of the board and the audience applauded after the presentation.

The board did not take any formal action related to the scholarship; the presentation was part of the meeting’s recognition and announcements. Rodder told the board she is planning to attend the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, this fall.

The board will continue its regular agenda following the recognition, including routine business and administrator reports.