Teen Creates “You’re Not Alone” Campaign To Help Adolescents

Kaitlyn Isaacson of North Branch, a soon-to-be graduate of Minnesota Connections Academy, has received a $10,000 AXA Achievement Scholarship for her work in school and in the local community with her “You’re Not Alone” campaign. The project also earned Isaacson a Girl Scout Gold Award, the most prestigious and difficult award that a Girl Scout can earn.

Isaacson wanted to help children and teens suffering from anxiety and loneliness by bringing awareness to the topic and educating adolescents. “I want kids to know that help is available and that it’s ok to talk about it,” she said. Isaacson introduced her project at the Chisago County Fair last July where she shared her mission: To work with community groups to provide resources, teach coping skills, and launch programming to raise awareness and spread the message, “You’re Not Alone.”

And she has done just that. Isaacson hosted booths last summer and fall at Stacy Daze in Stacy, MN; Fall Harvest Festival in North Branch, MN and at Linwood Family Fun Days in Linwood. This winter she created a Jeopardy style game with questions related to anxiety and coping skills and partnered Youth First Club to present “You’re Not Alone” at local schools.

“Kaitlyn is a hard-working student who has consistently demonstrated a good work ethic and high level of personal responsibility as a student at Minnesota Connections Academy and in her extracurricular pursuits,” said Stephanie Becker, who served as Isaacson’s counselor, homeroom teacher and PSEO (Post-Secondary Enrollment Options) Advisor. “In all of my interactions I have been impressed by her maturity, politeness, and self-confidence.” Minnesota Connections Academy is a tuition free, K-12 online public school that students across the state attend from home.

Isaacson has been accepted to her top choice college, the University of Wisconsin – Superior and plans to major in Elementary Education. In addition to taking college classes full time at Anoka Ramsey Community College during her senior year, she also chose to take an extra year of Sign Language and Algebra 2 at Minnesota Connections Academy. Isaacson has also been a member of the Minnesota Connections Academy Student Council and active on the Prom Committee.

Isaacson also received a $2,500 Barbara J. Dreyer Scholarship, which was established in memory of Connections Academy’s founding CEO who died in 2016 from breast cancer. The scholarship is awarded to only 20 students across the U.S. each year and is based on a written essay and teacher recommendation.

Outside of school Isaacson has been a Girl Scout since 2007 and served as an ambassador her Junior and Senior year. She has earned Gold, Silver and Bronze awards and been very involved in the Girl Scout programs. Isaacson also earned a $1,000 Gold Award Scholarship from Girl Scouts River Valleys based on her project and has been nominated to be considered for a National Gold Award Scholarship. She also received the President's Volunteer Service Award-Gold Level.

The AXA Achievement Scholarship is sponsored by the AXA Foundation and administered by Scholarship America, the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarship, tuition assistance and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations and individuals. College scholarships of $2,500, $10,000 and $25,000 are offered to high school seniors who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their activities in school, the community or the workplace.

Enrollment for Minnesota Connections Academy's 2019-20 school year is underway. If you're looking for greater flexibility, fewer distractions, more one-on-one time, and a personalized learning pace, Minnesota Connections Academy may be right for you. State-certified teachers work with your student, while a Learning Coach, generally a parent or other caretaker, helps monitor progress in the home. All state standardized tests apply. Minnesota Connections Academy is a member of the Minnesota Transitions Charter School (MTCS), a K-12 academic community. For more information, visit minnesotaconnectionsacademy.com.