Katelyn Gerstenberger is the Adult Female Walls/Flannigan Scholarship recipient for 2015.
Katelyn Gerstenberger is a first-year graduate student at Nova Southeastern University’s Physician Assistant program in Jacksonville, Florida. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Nova Southeastern University. Katelyn was born and raised in Sandusky, Michigan and graduated from Sandusky High School in 2009. When Katelyn is not studying, she is usually cooking for her food blog, “Gather. Eat. Repeat,” practicing yoga, or going for a run. She recently completed her first half marathon and plans to complete a full marathon in the future. Katelyn was awarded the 2015 Walls Flannigan Scholarship and would like to thank the Sanilac County Community Foundation, as well as the monetary donors, for facilitating the scholarship and supporting her education.
Jane Walls and her husband, William “Dixie” Flannigan, felt a strong commitment to higher education when they established this scholarship in 2000. They hoped the scholarship would ease the financial burden of worthy students and provide opportunities that they themselves were not afforded.
Mrs. Walls was a dedicated first grade teacher in the Croswell-Lexington school system for over twenty years. Her college education was interrupted, first by WW II, and then by marriage and a family. When she was suddenly widowed at age 44, she found herself with two teenaged sons still at home, a family farm, and VERY few resources. She realized that the field of education would provide her with both security and a vocation. She returned to college, obtaining her Bachelor’s degree with high honors, and later completed her Master’s Degree in Teaching. Her dedication to teaching and learning was unparalleled. She regarded the teaching of first graders to read as one of her greatest accomplishments.
William Flannigan went into the carpentry business building many fine homes around the Croswell/Lexington area. He believed that honest hard work would not only put calluses on your hands but also build integrity and self-respect into your character. It is hoped that Jane and Dixie’s ideals will continue with this scholarship.
The Walls/Flannigan Scholarship is available to eligible graduating students of Croswell/Lexington High School, who are in the top 30% of their class and active in their community, pursuing a recognized degree program at a college, trade, or technical school. In addition, female Sanilac County residents who are returning to school in a recognized degree program at a college, trade, or technical school are invited to apply.
The scholarship is administered through the Sanilac County Community Foundation. For more information about this fund, or to learn more about scholarship opportunities through the Sanilac County Community Foundation, contact Melissa Anderson, Executive Director, at the Foundation office at 810-648-3634.
