Edina Graduate Receives Scholarship from Outgoing Teacher of the Year

Edina High School English Teacher Jackie Roehl recently had the opportunity to present a former EHS student with a scholarship aimed at individuals who might not otherwise have advanced their post-secondary education. 

Aundrea Hanson, a former Hornet, was the recipient of the University of Phoenix's Teaching It Forward scholarship, which was awarded to her by 2012 Minnesota Teacher of the Year Roehl. A selection committee comprised of Roehl, EHS Dean of Students Heidi Howard and Office Assistant Arlou McPherson was tasked with finding the best possible fit for the scholarship. The committee opted to identify a recent graduate who tried college, but was unable to make it work financially.

Hanson, who has kept in touch with Howard since leaving EHS, got pregnant during her sophomore year of high school. Despite that, Hanson remained determined to keep her child, earn a GED and enroll in community college.

“I’m very honored and excited to have received this scholarship," Hanson said. "It is a blessing to have had Heidi keep me in mind for this honor after all these years. I’m eager to begin my program and I highly recommend the online route to those interested in getting a strong education who may not have the ability to attend a typical four-year university.”

Roehl didn't have Hanson as a student in her classes, but said she's confident she will finish her degree through the University of Phoenix.

"I fell in love with Aundrea’s story because I was a young mother when I completed my undergraduate degree," Roehl said. "I wish online education like what University of Phoenix offers would have been available when I was in college. I am humbled and honored to pay it forward to Aundrea."

The scholarship will cover all tuition costs for Hanson, who will start working on her undergraduate degree online through the University of Phoenix in May. She's planning to major in health administration with a minor in business.

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