Adam Papin/MDN Pictured with the Hot Tots’ mascot Tate R. Tot are Breanna Mindt and her mom April Mindt. Breanna was named the Vibeto Orthodontics Kid of the Year and was presented with a $1,000 scholarship during last night’s game.

The Hot Tots took the time to honor some great kids from the community during last night’s 5-4 loss to the Mankato MoonDogs, and one of the youngsters was awarded a $1,000 scholarship.

It was all part of the Vibeto Orthodontics Kid of the Month program. During the middle of the third inning, the Hot Tots introduced the honorees and their families to the crowd, before the Kid of the Year was announced.

The first Kid of the Year went to Breanna Mindt, 13. After losing her father to cancer, Mindt began raising money for cancer awareness.

“One of the things that stuck out about her on her submission was that she designed these bras for an organization in Williston, and they auction them off,” said Hot Tots general manager Monica Blake. “She raised over $2,500, which is really cool.”

Mindt is also active in 4H, Future Farmers of America (FFA) and many other organizations.

“She donates a lot of her time and really cares about the community,” said Burke. “She is a perfect example of what a kid could or should be.”

As part of the Hot Tots’ community outreach initiatives, the team partnered with Vibeto Orthodontics with the goal of recognizing kids in the community that went above and beyond.

“Maybe it’s raising a lot of money for organizations, or maybe they’re a really good brother to their sister or they’ve been through a hardship and come out of it really well. It is kind of all ends of the spectrum, but we wanted to highlight these kids,” said Burke.

Another honoree was Niah Brown, who was quoted as wanting to be a “light to others.” Brown was recognized for working hard in school and for choosing to be positive no matter the situation.

In a video from the Hot Tots, her sister Maddison Brown was quoted as saying, “It’s an amazing feeling. It reminds us that we are doing something right with her. I always remind her not to let the bad dull her light.”

Eight year-old Karter was recognized for doing her best regardless of the circumstances, and helping with her sister that has some special needs, including needing devices just to eat.

The third nominee was six year-old Isaiah. While he has learning challenges, according to the team, he doesn’t let them get in the way of loving life and having fun.He also was recognized for “doing his best around the house and show[ing] his little brother how to have fun.”

The last nominee was Caleb, an 11 year-old how has raised over $1,000 so that kids in Kenya can have church structures. He also has helped out at his Vacation Bible school, and started a small business in his neighborhood.

Each recipient received tickets to the game, a jersey and other times from the Hot Tots in recognition of their efforts.

On the field, the Hot Tots made things interesting late, scoring four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. It wouldn’t be enough however, as they were held scoreless in the ninth inning to fall 5-4.

This is the final true homestand for the Hot Tots, who have three more games this weekend against the MoonDogs. The home finale will be next Friday against their rival Bismarck Larks.