A lifetime tending to health Like many Itasca area teens, Jane Levens had a vision for her future. Go to school. Get a job. Get a life. The Grand Rapids High School senior’s vision was brought within reach when she was awarded a Blandin Foundation scholarship in 1971. Her vision, and the funds, propelled …
Empowerment to follow a calling When Michael Svigel realized his future would lead him on an educational path of a higher calling, he knew that he would need help with funding. A Blandin Foundation Education Grant became the answer to that calling, allowing him to explore educational opportunities that led him to a rewarding career. …
Buckled in for adventure Riley Jensen’s career is headed straight up. As an overhead power line repairman, he’s regularly 40 feet in the air. An outgoing guy who connects with people wherever he goes, Riley has landed a career that suits his personality and interests. Born and raised in Grand Rapids, I attended Grand …
Choosing community as a foundation for learning Rose Carpenter became part of the Itasca area just two years before graduating high school – and jumped into Greenway High School student life with both feet. Her determination, courage, curiosity and the sense of belonging she has felt here are propelling her path as a first-generation college …
Growing up north of Grand Rapids, I became involved in clubs and groups around Itasca County at a young age. Joining 4-H in second grade, Girl Scouts in sixth grade, and a few sports along the way, I learned to love getting out into the community and making an impact. By the time I was …
When I was attending Greenway High School, the psychology course was offered only to juniors and seniors. I remember complaining during registration for both my first and second years that I could not take it yet and in my first semester of my junior year, it was the first course I signed up for. Even …
A boost when it was needed most Wendy Harrington wanted a career she could be proud of. Persistence and focus, augmented by a Blandin Foundation scholarship award, delivered exactly that for the Nashwauk-Keewatin graduate. I grew up in Nashwauk with an older brother and my parents. Coming from a working class background, I always knew …
Michelle waits with her two children at the front door of the Second Harvest North Central Food Bank as the clock ticks towards 11 a.m. She explains to me that summer is usually a time for fun and sun, but for parents who rely on subsidized school lunches for their children, summer can bring unexpected …
One hallmark of a healthy community is easily accessible resources for people who’ve hit a rough patch in their lives. The Itasca Area Sharing Fund is one such resource in north-central Minnesota, helping those in need bridge life’s gaps until they’re back on their feet. “There are so many stories about how the Sharing Fund …
October 13, 2021 | Session Notes and Video How can rural Minnesota communities realize their greatest broadband opportunities? A panel of broadband advocates and supporters responds to a summary of what actions rural participants in eight regional broadband gatherings across Minnesota this fall 1) commit to do to get better broadband, and; 2) think would …