Jessica Kreitz was named the Pequot Lakes High School Art Club Artist of the Month for February.

I am 17 and live in Breezy Point with my parents, Jeff and Julie Kreitz, and my younger brother, Jack, 15.

I love to draw, play basketball, softball and snowboard. I have always loved art because of all the possibilities that come with it. It is also something I can get lost in for hours. Next fall I plan to attend the University of Wisconsin-Stout and major in art/industrial design.

Yes, I really do love to read! Books, magazines, newspapers, websites ... you name it, I love to read anything.

Somehow, more than 50 years ago, my kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Gard, instilled a love of the printed word into my heart and soul. I am forever grateful that she opened up a world that fostered success in my career and pleasure in my leisure time.

I also am thankful for my wonderful mother, an avid reader and writer, who modeled for me and also bought dozens of books for me to devour over the years.

The Pine River-Backus junior varsity speech team competed at Park Rapids recently, where Claudina Williams took first place with her informative speech on Haiti.

Katey Hanson took second place with her informative speech on the deaf and blind.

Don Owen took third place with a creative speech he wrote called “Young Man Wild.”

Several others competed in the meet but did not place in the top four, including:

Creative Expression: Jarod Birr.

2013 graduating seniors from Pine River-Backus High School are eligible for the Community Good Citizen Scholarship Award.

Seniors who display exemplary community service efforts are eligible to be nominated. Nominations should include:

• The student’s name.

• A short paragraph explaining why you feel the student deserves this award.

• The school or college the student plans to attend after high school, if known.

• The name of the person submitting the nomination and his/her association with the student.