$10,000 scholarship awarded to student with powerful story of overcoming obstacles

Story by Lynn Meadows. Photos by Clara Toot, JCSD Communications

GRIMES, Ia. (April 22, 2025) — Katie Carr’s drive to succeed in school and have a future helping others, despite a difficult childhood with financial barriers, impressed the scholarship selection committee.

Tonight, a team from the Johnston Community School Foundation surprised Carr at her home with the announcement that she is the recipient of the 2025 Raymond and Marie Schlenker Scholarship — a $10,000 scholarship awarded to only one Johnston High School senior each year. The money will help Carr to overcome the challenge of paying for college on her own.

“For me, I had always thought that because of these financial difficulties, college wouldn’t be an option,” Carr said.

First-generation college student

Carr’s tough childhood inspired her to dream of a career where she can help others.

“Despite my preconceived notions of my potential future failures, I continue to work as hard as I can in school so I am able to achieve my dream of aiding children and teens in their mental health struggles, and to be a role model for my younger siblings,” she said.

Katie Carr and Superintendent Dr. Nikki Roorda, at Katie’s home

As Carr heads to the University of Iowa this fall, she will become a first-generation college student. She has been admitted to the honors program and plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and a master’s degree in clinical and counseling psychology. Her dream is to become a therapist for children and teens to help them navigate through childhood trauma.

“As the middle child and only girl among five siblings, Katie has embraced her role as a trailblazer with grace and determination, setting her sights on becoming the first in her family to attend a university — an inspiring feat that speaks volumes of her dedication to her dreams,” said JHS teacher Britney Gloede, who teachers anatomy and physiology for DMACC credit.

Mark Thoms, the manager at Earl May, said Carr’s hard work and passion to succeed in life has not gone unnoticed.

“Katelyn has shared with me how she wants to be such a strong role model for her siblings,” Thoms said. “Not everyone wants to or can attend college or a university, but the determination and the ethic that Katelyn has represents that anyone can follow their dreams no matter what they may be.”

Overcoming obstacles

Carr’s childhood struggles have fueled her drive for academic achievement and personal growth. She said learning at school has been an outlet for her — and has helped her get closer to the future she yearns for.

Gloede predicted that Carr’s story of overcoming obstacles would resonate with the scholarship committee. And it did.

Britney Gloede, JHS anatomy and physiology teacher, and Katie

“Katie’s journey has not been without its challenges, but she has faced each obstacle with resilience and poise,” Gloede said. “Her commitment to being a role model for her younger brothers is a driving force in her life, inspiring her to rise above any circumstances that might hold her back. Her story is one of perseverance, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to personal growth.”

In high school, Carr has had a weighted GPA of 4.13, earned the Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish, and took a range of challenging courses including AP psychology and social psychology.

She’s also been active in school activities including being captain of the varsity cheerleading squad and taking part in mock trial, Students for Change club, JHS Student Council and Random Acts of Kindness Club – while volunteering at a homeless shelter and working part-time at Fareway, Big Acai and Target.

“Katie demonstrates traits such as determination, resilience, and independence, and she possesses an impressive work ethic,” said April Wilson, secretary of the Johnston Community School Foundation. “She participated in her interview with poise, eloquence and humility.”

Rewarding exemplary character

Member of the Johnston Community School Foundation and Katie

The Schlenker Scholarship was first awarded in 2009 with a generous gift bequeathed from the estate of Raymond and Marie Schlenker. The Schlenkers had no children of their own but asked that the Johnston Community School Foundation use the gift to continue to benefit students of the Johnston Community School District. To further the Schlenker legacy, the Foundation established a $10,000 scholarship to be given annually to one Johnston high school senior.

Criteria for the Raymond and Marie Schlenker Scholarship include financial need; involvement in extracurricular activities, community service, and work; and demonstration of exemplary character traits. To be eligible for the scholarship, a student must graduate from JHS with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher, enroll full-time in a four-year college or university in Iowa, and maintain a 2.5 or higher GPA for each college term for the four years.

High school seniors can apply for the scholarship between March and April each year. Between the Schlenker scholarship and classroom grants, JCSF has donated nearly $1 million to the students and educators across the Johnston Community School District.

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2021: Schlenker Scholarship Offered to JHS Seniors

2020: Foundation Awards $10,000 Schlenker Scholarship to Cole Eichacker