2025 Vol 19, Issue 3 June Gem Lake News

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Gem Lake News Page 4 of 8 Three Graduates Awarded Gem Lake Scholarship Three Gem Lake residents and high school seniors were recently awarded scholarships for post-secondary education through the Gem Lake Scholarship Program. This twelve-year-old program is funded by charitable gambling receipts and has now helped several dozen students with educational expenses since its inception. The three students are Lydia Erickson, Jordan Jonas and Bianca Sauer. Each student has been awarded $1000 that will be forwarded to the schools of their choice. Lydia Erickson will be graduating from Concordia Academy following an impressive four-year stint as an Honor Roll student. Her teachers call her “an outstanding individual with a phenomenal work ethic. “Lydia takes great pride in her work, giving 110% in everything she does,” according to John Moore, her Social Studies Teacher. “Lydia is also very well respected and is recognized as a leader by her peers and staff.” Director of Guidance Kelly Mack says, “she is an active member of our community, serving as a student ambassador, athlete, NHS member and has contributed positively to all of her classes.” After graduation, Lydia plans to attend Baylor University, where she will seek a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. Jordan Jonas will be graduating from Mahtomedi High School after four years that were packed with challenging course work, leadership roles, and extracurricular activities, including serving as president of the Mahtomedi High School STEM Club. Her teachers call her a proactive learner who knows how to seek help when needed. “As her teacher for World History, Personal Finance, and as her advisor for all four years of high school, I have witnessed her remarkable growth, dedication, and passion for learning,” says Emily Larson, Social Studies Teacher for Mahtomedi High School. Jordan has also been involved in the Maplewood Figure Skating Club, synchronized skating, and the MHS Choir, which illustrates her diverse interests and her ability to balance multiple commitments effectively, according to Larson. “Over the past few years, we have seen Jordan grow into an accomplished young woman with an incredibly bright future ahead of her,” says Mahtomedi Counselor Ellen Cole. “She is a hardworking, dedicated and kind member of our school.” After graduation, Jordan plans to attend the University of Minnesota. Bianca Sauer will complete her high school career after being home-schooled for the past two years, due to serious health issues that prevented her from attending in-person schooling. She has faced and overcome incredible challenges, while excelling in her academic studies, taking ownership of her education and even completing an internship for over a year. Her very proud mother has acted as her teacher and counselor, when her daughter needed to transition out of public and private schools due to her health. Bianca faced many struggles at a very young age, including a debilitating spinal injury and heart problems that necessitated several surgeries. Despite all of that Bianca has maintained a work ethic that is nothing short of remarkable, according to her mother Michelle Sauer. She has also shown incredible resilience and has successfully balanced academics with a job at a local restaurant and an internship with Gem Health in White Bear Lake. Although her career plans are not set in stone yet, she did decide she wanted to be a surgeon at the age of 12. After graduation, Bianca plans to attend the University of Hawaii. Her goal is to complete a four-year degree and then pursue further education afterwards, possibly related to law or political science. Good luck to all our graduates! Lydia Erickson Jordan Jonas Bianca Sauer