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Jessa DeRusha, an Early Learning teacher with Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools Community Education Services, has been named the February 2026 recipient of the Anchored in the Laker Way Award.

The monthly award recognizes staff who exemplify a strong foundation of service, leadership, teamwork, and a commitment to lifelong learning and excellence. Colleagues describe DeRusha as a dedicated educator and mentor who brings creativity, inclusion, and care to her classroom while supporting fellow staff and students across the program.

Here is what the nominator(s) shared about Jessa:

“Jessa is not only a strong leader in the classroom but also in the building. She has only been with us for two years but she is an extremely talented teacher who offers insight to all teachers and is a great mentor to many. She listens thoroughly to all who may approach her and offers a different point of view on how to teach, respond, and interact with kids. Jessa goes beyond the basics of preschool by displaying initiative and creativity, and shows a genuine respect and concern for others including fellow employees, students and community members. She does this by making sure she celebrates all that come in her classroom through pictures, holidays, awareness months/weeks, and disability awareness. As a special education teacher, I know that the IEP is being implemented and that accommodations are being made without even having to check in because she genuinely cares about ALL of our littlest learners and wants to make sure that they are able to achieve tasks successfully. She has taught me so much in her two years and we are extremely blessed to have her. She exemplifies all that it means to be a Laker!”

Please join us in congratulating DeRusha on this well-deserved recognition.

Hidden Oaks and Twin Oaks Middle Schools are proud to recognize the achievements of more than 1,562 students in grades 6–8 who earned a spot on the honor roll for the first semester of the 2025–26 school year. These students demonstrated a strong commitment to academic excellence through their hard work and dedication in the classroom.

Students were recognized at two levels: the Principal’s Honor Roll for those earning a GPA of 3.5–4.0, and the Honor Roll for those earning a GPA of 3.0–3.49.

To view the complete list of students named to the 2025–26 first semester middle school honor roll, please use the links below.

Hidden Oaks Honor Roll

Twin Oaks Honor Roll

Prior Lake High School seniors Talia Bushman and Joe Gannon have been named the school’s 2025–26 nominees for the Minnesota State High School League’s AAA (Academics, Arts, and Athletics) Award.

Presented by the MSHSL, the AAA Award recognizes 12th-grade students who demonstrate excellence in academics, fine arts, and athletics while maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Bushman has been active in band, speech, cross country, and track and field, while Gannon has participated in band, cross country, hockey, and lacrosse. Their involvement reflects a strong commitment to both their studies and extracurricular pursuits.

Bushman was also selected as the top recipient from Region 3AA and will now advance to the statewide scholarship competition, with winners to be announced at a luncheon on March 28.

Following graduation, Bushman plans to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison to study mechanical engineering, and Gannon will attend Purdue University to pursue aviation.

Prior Lake High School congratulates both students on their achievements and dedication to excellence in the classroom, on the stage, and in competition.