Original article published in the Mower County Independent, Thursday, January 29, 2026. Reprinted with permission and gratitude.
By Gretchen Mensink-Lovejoy
The Spring Valley Kiwanis Club has recognized Hailee Warren as one of this year’s Kiwanis Academic Excellence Award recipients. She is the daughter of Rick and Julee Warren. The Kingsland senior is active in several extracurricular activities. “I am football manager, I’m in basketball, softball, Student Council, Key Club, FFA and National Honor Society. I like basketball the best. In the past, I’ve been in all of these and volleyball, cross country and track. My favorite subject is calculus, and my least favorite subject is English.”
Outside of school, she’s awaiting summertime so that she can get back to work. “I work at the Spring Valley pool as a lifeguard and water safety instructor. I like teaching kids how to swim. In my spare time, I hang out with friends and go shopping. My favorite movie is ‘Stepbrothers’ because it’s funny, and my favorite book is ‘The Last Thing
He Told Me’because I like mysteries. My biggest pet peeve is when people chew with their mouths open.” She listens to ‘everything’ in music, but she prefers pop rock and ‘80s tunes most, and she’s an adventurous traveler who went to Peru last summer. “I love sushi, but I tried guinea pig in Peru, and it was terrible. If I could travel to any country in the world, I would go to Italy or Greece. There is a lot to see and do there. If I could travel to any state, I’d live in South Carolina…they don’t get snow.”
The 17-year-old most admires her parents and grandparents. “They are hardworking and taught me many life lessons. If I could do one thing to change the world, I would make volunteering a graduation requirement. When I was younger, I wanted to be a trauma surgeon, but after I graduate, I want to be a dentist.”
The Kiwanis honored Hailee and her parents during a luncheon meeting earlier this winter. The club welcomes visitors who are interested in learning more about Kiwanis International to its weekly meetings held at noon on Wednesdays at the Spring Valley Community Center.
Courtesy of the Mower County Independent, 135 E Main St. LeRoy, MN 55951, (507)-324-5325
