ST. CLOUD, Minn. – In 2015, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota established the BriAnna Kruzel Growing Up Big Award to honor BriAnna Kruzel, a former Little Sister and High School Big Sister, who passed away unexpectedly in 2013. Not only was BriAnna very involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters, she was also very involved in her local community and loved serving others. Each year, this award honors someone who is a former Little or High School Big who demonstrates service to the community as well as character and integrity.
The winner of the 2026 Growing Up Big Award is Lindsey Trimbo, who has been both a High School Big and was a Big in college for five years. She's been involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters since 2002.
Mentorship has always been very important to Trimbo. She says she grew up with some really wonderful mentors in her life that include family members, coaches and others that made a difference in her life and inspired her to become a role model and mentor herself.
“I am, of course, a mentor in my career as a kindergarten teacher, but also in volunteer roles as director of the Miss Sauk Rapids organization and co-director of the Miss Sartell organization. I have the opportunity to support young women in the community and help them build life skills, poise and engage in outreach through pageantry—a huge passion of mine!”
Trimbo was honored along with the 2026 Bigs and Littles of the Year and BBBS scholarship winners on Wednesday, May 29, at the annual Big Celebration Park Event Centre in Waite Park. The award, sponsored each year by Vince and Lori Mohs, was presented by BriAnna’s parents, Randy and Tami Kruzel.