Ava Larson Flint Hills Discovery Scholarship winner

 Freshly graduated local student Ava Larson from Clearbrook-Gonvick High School recently received a Flint Hills Discovery Scholarship, recognizing her excellence in the classroom as well as her contributions to her community and her entrepreneurial spirit. She is one of 33 recipients from 21 Minnesota and Wisconsin high schools to receive Discovery Scholarships this year. Since it began the Discovery Scholarship program in 1991, Flint Hills Resources has awarded more than 1,200 scholarships to local students, totaling more than $2.5 million.

Thirty-three Minnesota and Wisconsin students earn Discovery Scholarships from Flint Hills Resources

Now in its 35th year, the Flint Hills Discovery Scholarship program has awarded more than 1,200 scholarships to local students

Rosemount, Minn. – Flint Hills Resources awarded its annual Discovery Scholarship to 33 college-bound students from 21 Minnesota and Wisconsin high schools at a recent celebration banquet. Each year, Discovery Scholarships recognize the latest group of graduating innovators, problem-solvers and community leaders.

Now in its 35th year, the Discovery Scholarship program helps lift up the next generation of talent by supporting students pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, manufacturing and construction. Since 1991, Flint Hills Resources has awarded over 1,200 scholarships to students, totaling more than $2.5 million.

Discovery Scholarships are awarded to high school seniors in communities with connections to Flint Hills’ operations, including the Pine Bend refinery in Dakota County and locations along the company’s Minnesota and Wisconsin pipeline systems. Students are selected based on academic achievement, leadership, community involvement and their entrepreneurial spirit.

“Each year, Discovery Scholarships provide us with an opportunity to recognize inspiring students who excel in the classroom and contribute to their communities,” said Geoff Glasrud, vice president and manufacturing manager at Flint Hills Resources’ Pine Bend refinery. “We look forward to seeing what these students achieve as they pursue careers that will help keep our communities strong, drive innovation and power our region’s economy for years to come.”

In addition to Discovery Scholarships, Flint Hills Resources invests in education and workforce development through partnerships with organizations across the region, including the Minnesota Zoo, the Minnesota Wild and many others.

Below is a full listing of the 2026 Discovery Scholarship recipients, organized alphabetically by school name and student last name.

Apple Valley High School Brianna Munguia

Auburndale High School Olivia Smrz

Clearbrook-Gonvick High School Ava Larson

Eagan High School Makenna Becker and Tessa Marton

Eastview High School Sai Keerthana Gajjela and Liam Sultan

Ellsworth High School Nathan Rollins

Faribault High School Liam Redman

Foley High School Alexander Stang

Hastings High School Amelia Chandler and Elli Levine

Little Falls Community High School Eli Miller

Marshfield High School Neel Gonugunta

Park High School Gavin Degel and Isabel Martinez

Park Rapids High School Anika Kietzman

Rosemount High School

• Isabella Dahling
• Natalia Duggan
• Kristopher Perla
• Jacob Skaria

School of Environmental Studies Nathaniel Cahn and Kieryn Elert

Staples-Motley High School Livia Trif

Simley High School Douglas Johnson and Gaverett Peterson

South Saint Paul High School Hayden Diaz and Maximillian Zapf

Two Rivers High School Cole Cheesebrough and Amelie Williams

White Bear Lake Area High School Oliver Beck

Woodbury High School Joseph Bents

About Flint Hills Resources

The Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery produces transportation fuels used throughout the Midwest, including most of Minnesota’s gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, as well as other products people rely on such as propane and asphalt. Located 17 miles southeast of Minneapolis, Pine Bend has a refining capacity of 375,000 barrels per day and is among the most efficient oil refineries in the country. Flint Hills Resources directly and indirectly supports more than 4,000 Minnesota jobs and has invested nearly $1.7 billion in upgrades and improvements to its Minnesota facilities since 2010. With more than 1,000 full-time employees, the Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery is one of the largest employers in Dakota County.