Abigail Rathmann (NUHS) and Bethany Spike (MVL) (L-R) stand with their Service Above Self awards after the New Ulm Rotary Scholar's Recognition Banquet Monday. Landon Klawitter won the award for Cathedral High School, but was unable to attend the ceremony.

NEW ULM — The best and brightest of New Ulm’s schools got their chance to shine Monday night at the 57th annual Scholars Recognition Banquet.

The event, held by the New Ulm Rotary, honored the top 15% of seniors from New Ulm Public, Minnesota Valley Lutheran, and Cathedral high schools based on their academic excellence.

Since 1978, a student from each class has been chosen for the Service Above Self award. The award rewards students who possess outstanding qualities in academic achievement, leadership amongst their peers, and participation in extracurriculars.

Abigail Rathmann, daughter of Landon and Michelle Rathman, was chosen as the New Ulm Public winner. She said her favorite activities are student council, planning activities, participating in FFA, and tutoring other students. Rathmann said it felt unbelievable to win the award.

“There’s so many like eligible people that could have won it instead,” she said. “To be chosen by my teachers, it’s really amazing.”

After high school, she plans to attend either South Dakota State University or Gustavus for biochemistry. From there, she plans to enter a graduate program in pharmacy.

Bethany Spike, daughter of Aaron and Sarah Spike, won the award for MVL. She participates in student council, is the student body president, and participates in knowledge bowl and drama club.

“I love choir, I love music,” Spike said. “All that stuff is so fun to me. I really like art and being with people.”

Spike said it felt pretty crazy to win the award. She said there are so many people at MVL who could have just as easily won the award.

After high school, she plans to attend Martin Luther College and major in elementary education and secondary Spanish.

Landon Klawitter, son of Reese and Tammy Klawitter, was the winner for Cathedral High School. He has volunteered at the New Ulm Young Child and Family Fair, as an assistant coach for the Super Hoopers, and at several school and church events.

Cathedral principal Erica DeVries said Klawitter exemplified Service over Self by not only having dedication to his school but also the New Ulm community as a whole.

“His long-standing willingness to go above and beyond to serve his school and church community started when he was in elementary school,” she said. “Landon is dedicated to fostering selflessness and promoting others’ needs before himself.”