A former Ella Olesen scholar has returned to the University of Idaho to study for a PhD.
 
Katie Taylor, of Close Caarjys, Ramsey, first went to the US university in August 2010 after winning the scholarship, which is awarded annually to a female graduate who has been supported through her studies by the Department of Education and Children.
 
Now the 23-year-old – who already has a BSc honours degree in sports science from the University of Central Lancashire – has returned to the town of Moscow in the North-West state to further her studies after being awarded a graduate teaching assistantship.
 
‘I am over the moon that I can really begin to achieve my dream with the opportunity of this scholarship and I am looking forward to continuing my education while also teaching other students,’ Katie said.
 
‘I am grateful to the Isle of Man Government and the Department of Education and Children because, without the opportunity I was provided with through the Ella Olesen scholarship, I wouldn’t be embarking on this fantastic new adventure.’
 
Katie joins 2012/13 Ella Olesen scholar Melissa Bell, 21, in Idaho. Melissa, of Hillberry Road, Onchan, left in August and will return home in May 2013. She gained the International Baccalaureate at King William’s College and graduated in criminology and psychology from the University of West England in Bristol.
 
The Ella Olesen scholarship is named after a registrar of the university who died in 1985. Her Manx ancestry – her mother Margaret Teare was born in Ballaugh and emigrated to America in 1890 – led her to gift the scholarship in 1971.
 
Applications will be invited shortly for the 2013/14 scholarship, with interviews taking place at Christmas.
 
Katie said: ‘To all the girls who will be receiving a letter about the 2013/14 scholarship: I urge you to apply. It's an experience you will never forget and who knows what may come of it.’
 
Settling back in at Idaho, Katie added: ‘As my life has moved to Moscow for the next few years, I will be supporting the Idaho Vandals but I will always be a Manx girl at heart. As the saying goes, “you can take the girl away from the Isle of Man but you can’t take the Isle of Man out of the girl”.’