Nomination Process

Nominate Your Students as Academic All-Stars!

It is time to nominate your students as Academic-All Stars! All Minnesota K-12 teachers, principals and academic challenge coordinators are invited to designate students as "Academic All-Stars," to be eligible to attend the 2024 Gathering of Champions. This free annual celebration and recognition of student excellence is sponsored by Synergy & Leadership Exchange and its educational partners.

Criteria

Students are selected as Academic All-Stars by their schools, with the recommended selection criteria including:

● Students who are consistent top academic performers

● Students who have shown significant improvement in achievement or have overcome barriers to academic achievement

● Students who are local, regional or state champions in a Minnesota Academic League Council approved event

FAQs

Why was my student chosen as an Academic All-Star?

Minnesota students in grades K-12 are nominated by their teachers, principals and academic coaches with the suggested criteria:

• Students who are consistent top academic performers
• Students who have shown significant improvement in achievement or have overcome barriers to academic achievement
• Students who are local, regional or state champions in a Minnesota Academic League Council approved event. The names of endorsed programs are found in the Reach for the Stars catalogue.

Do I need to register for one of the 5 ceremony times?

Registration is not required but it is highly recommended because it ensures enough space in the ceremony of your choice for the All-Star and his/her guests. Having a guaranteed space in a ceremony allows your group to plan your day at the Mall of America. We do fill up and attendance at a ceremony is not guaranteed. Only those with Gathering of Champions wristbands will be admitted into the ceremonies. Please note, ceremonies do fill, so pre-registering today will help you attend the ceremony of your choice. Also, only those Academic All-Stars that are registered by July 5 will have their names printed in the program.

How do I ensure my Academic All-Star’s name appears in the printed program?

To have your All-Star’s name printed in the program, you must register online by July 5. The student must be registered in the Academic All-Star section. Names will appear as entered in the online registration.

How do I get my All-Star’s photo included in the slide show?

This year we will be featuring a slide show of student, teacher and parent/guardian submitted photos prior to the start of each ceremony. To have your photo included, please complete the enclosed photo submission form and email it with your photo to goc@synergyexchange.org by July 19. Only photos submitted by the deadline will be included.

What type of photo can I submit for the slideshow?

Photos should show the Academic All-Star(s) in an academic setting, such as receiving an academic award, participating in an academic competition or event (Spelling Bee, Math Masters, Knowledge Bowl, Speech, etc.), or with their Academic All-Star nomination certificate or letter. Our focus is on academic achievement, so please no family, yearbook (class photo) or sports photos. Synergy reserves the right to omit any photo it deems inappropriate.

I didn’t receive an email confirmation of my pre-registration, what do I do?

If you do not receive an email confirmation, please contact us: goc@synergyexchange.org.

Is there seating before the ceremony in the waiting area?

There is no seating in the waiting area before the ceremony time. It is standing room only. If long periods of standing are difficult for someone in your party, we ask that you wait until closer to ceremony time before entering the waiting area. Once inside the ceremony space there will be seats available.

I need to change my ceremony time, how do I do this?

If you need to change your time, check to see if there is space available and then register for the new ceremony you wish to attend. Contact us immediately to let us know of your change in time. We will then delete your reservation from the time you no longer wish to attend – this will open up space in that ceremony for other All-Stars and their families. All changes must be made by July 19. No changes will be accepted after this date.

I would like to register for a ceremony, but I’m not sure of the exact number of people and/or names of people attending. What should I do?

If you are not sure of the exact number of people who will be attending with your group, reserve enough space for all who might attend. Each Academic All-Star is allowed up to five guests. If you no longer need all the guests you reserved, please let us know right away. We can then make that space available to other All-Stars and their families.

I have registered for the Gathering of Champions and need to make changes to our group, what do I do?

Please contact us and let us know what changes need to be made. If you wish to add more attendees to your group, please note that additional space may not be available as shows fill up quickly. All changes must be made by July 19. Changes after this date will be addressed at check-in on the day of the event.

Who should I bring to the Gathering of Champions with my All-Star?

Who you wish to bring with your group is completely up to you. There are no restrictions. People typically bring parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends and teachers. Each Academic All-Star is allowed up to five guests.

Where is Parkview located?

Parkview is located in the Southwest corner of the Nickelodeon Universe by Flyover America.

Where is the closest parking?

Enter West Parking Ramp between Nordstrom & Macy's, accessible from Killebrew Drive. Park on street level 1. Enter main mall entrance, proceed straight ahead into Nickelodeon Universe and take a right past the Peeps store. Parkview, is located in the Southwest corner of the Nickelodeon Universe between Flyover America and Hard Rock Cafe.

What time do I need to arrive at the Mall of America?

We recommend that you arrive 20 minutes prior to your ceremony time. When you arrive, you will need to check-in and receive the designated tickets for your ceremony. People will begin to line up outside the ceremony as soon as the attendees from the previous show have entered at the top of each hour. Seats are available on a first come, first served basis once inside.

I have a baby/infant. Is there space for a stroller?

There is not room inside the venue for strollers. We will have a designated stroller parking area outside of the venue space. Please plan accordingly. You must reserve a space for the infant in your registration count.

Is the ceremony space wheelchair accessible? Do I need to request special seating arrangements?

The ceremony space is wheelchair accessible. Special seating is not required. All chairs are moveable and can be placed wherever is convenient for your guests.

My All-Star is in a wheelchair, will he/she be able to cross the stage with the other All-Stars?

Students unable to use the stairs to the stage will cross in front of the stage to receive their certificates. Please notify us when you check-in so we can make appropriate accommodations. All-Stars will remain with their guests until the end of the ceremony when students line up to receive their certificates.

Is there a dress code for the ceremony?

No, there is no dress code for the Gathering of Champions. Most All-Stars and guests dress casual to business casual, as they plan to enjoy the Mall of America and Nickelodeon Universe® before and/or after the show.

If I have questions the day of the event, whom do I contact?

Please know that our entire staff will be working at the event and will not be reachable by phone. If you have an immediate concern, do not email us as we will not have access to email during the day. If you are calling for additional seats or cancellations, we appreciate your call, however we will be unable to process any phone or email requests the day of the event. All changes can be addressed at check-in. Walk-in registrations may be available for sessions that are not filled. Please visit the check-in desk for assistance and walk-in registrations.

Logo Contest

Congratulations to our 2024 logo contest winner, Keila Campos who is a 3rd Grade Student at Northside Elementary School in St. James

Submit your original logo design ideas for the 2025 Gathering of Champions, which will appear on the certificates of achievement, T-shirts, banners and other materials.

Download the 2025 Gathering of Champion Logo Contest entry form. Use the space provided or another sheet of white paper, but you must include the required information with your entry. If submitting digital designs, please send the original, editable design file (.ai, .indd, .doc, .eps, etc.) as well as a print ready file (JPG, PDF, EPS, etc.). Multiple submissions by the same student are permitted.

Rules for Submission:

All entries must be designed by a currently enrolled K-12 student. Logos must be received by May 1, 2025. Hand drawn and digital designs are accepted. All designs will be digitally rendered and professionally enhanced for production. 2025 Gathering of Champions must be included in your design.

Submit to: Synergy & Leadership Exchange, 2075 Lookout Drive, North Mankato, MN 56003 or lgarry@synergyexchange.org

Sponsors

Registration

You must register for one of the five recognition shows for the Gathering of Champions in order to attend. We highly recommend registering for a recognition ceremony as soon as possible as space fills quickly. Registration opens on June 4 and closes on July 19. No changes can be made after July 19.

Instructions for Registering for the Gathering of Champions:

1. Click Below to register for a 2024 ceremony.

   ● Click here to register for the 9:00 a.m. show. THIS SHOW IS FULL

   ● Click here to register for the 10:30 a.m. show. THIS SHOW IS FULL

   ● Click here to register for the 12:00 p.m. show. THIS SHOW IS FULL

   ● Click here to register for the 2:30 p.m. show. THIS SHOW IS FULL

   ● Click here to register for the 4:00 p.m. show. THIS SHOW IS FULL

   ● ALL shows for 2024 are sold out.

2. Locate the ceremony time you wish to register for and click “Register.”

   ● If the ceremony you would like to attend does not have a “Register” button, it is full – please select a different time.

   ● If you choose a ceremony that does not have enough seats for your group, click “Cancel” and select a different ceremony time.

3. Register using the name of the Academic All-Star, indicating the total number of people attending – include the Academic All-Star(s) and all guests (including infants) in your total. Complete the contact information and click next.

   ● Please double check that you have reserved the correct number of seats. Each Academic All-Star is allowed to bring four guests.

   ● If you have more than one Academic All-Star nominated in your group, please include all of them in the same registration.

4. Please be sure to check your information carefully and click "Complete Registration.”

   ● Print the confirmation of your registration.

   ● An automated email confirmation will also be sent, please retain both as a reference. If you do not receive an email confirmation within one hour, check your junk or spam mail folder. If you do not receive a confirmation, please contact us as soon as possible as you may not be registered.