Former Ramsey Grammar School student Katrina Taylor is the winner of this year’s Ella Olesen Scholarship.
Katrina, 21, will follow a long line of local students to spending nine months at Idaho University from this summer.
The scholarship is named after the late Miss Ella Olesen, a former registrar of the university who died in 1985. Her mother, Margaret Teare, was born in Ballaugh and emigrated to America in 1890; Miss Oleson's Manx ancestry subsequently led her to gift the scholarship in 1971.
It is awarded annually to a female degree student who has been supported through her studies by the Department of Education.
Forming the interview panel for this year’s scholarship were Education Minister Anne Craine MHK and Head of Legal and Administrative Services John Gill. They sifted through 14 applications and interviewed five girls before selecting Katrina.
Katrina, who lives in Close Caarjys, Ramsey, left Ramsey Grammar School with four A-levels and 13 GCSEs.
She is now studying for a BSc Hons in Sports Science at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and her studies have seen her work with Preston North End FC’s academy players as well as Wigan Warriors rugby league club.
Katrina is taking part in a major research project to collect data on children’s physical activity and bone health. She has also been part of an internship group at UCLan researching the effects of footwear on the body during sport and she has been invited to present this research at a conference in Montana.
She hopes to continue studying the biomechanical and physiological aspects of sport at higher level after her year in Idaho and is looking forward to being involved in the 2012 Olympics in London.
Katrina has also worked in Kenya, building dams and teaching at schools, as a volunteer with the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Trust and has represented the Isle of Man at an inter-Celtic festival in France with the dance group Ny Fennee. A keen swimmer, she has completed a mile-long charity swim in aid of the RNLI. She also plays hockey for Ramsey Hockey Club and is on its committee.
Katrina said of her selection, "To receive the Ella Olesen scholarship is a privilege and a fantastic opportunity. Being an ambassador for the Isle of Man while in Idaho, experiencing a new and more diverse lifestyle, also enabling me to continue my current studies in sports science, is beyond any expectation I could have hoped for."
Katrina can expect the usual warm welcome from two former neighbours of Miss Olesen, who will help her settle into her new home. Phyllis and Duane LeTourneau – known as Granny and Grandpa Idaho – traditionally meet new scholars at the airport and look after them for their first few weeks in Idaho. Katrina will be the 44th guest from the Island that they will welcome (at its inception the scholarship benefited two students).
Current scholarship holder Clare Christian, 22, of Onchan, began studying in Idaho last August and will be there until May.
Back in the Island for the Christmas and New Year break, Clare said, "I'd like to congratulate Katrina on being awarded the Ella Olesen scholarship.
"It's a wonderful opportunity to study abroad and share a little of our Manx culture and heritage with fellow students. I wish Katrina all the best for her time in Idaho."
