Three ex-Bulldog student-athletes won scholarships given in the memory of Gordon (Jerry) Lindbom of Becker.
Madi Kealy, Luke Lahr and Michael Veldman submitted applications to receive the GEL $500 scholarships and they were presented to the young adults by Anita Lindbom, in honor of her late husband.
These scholarships are available to all college students who have completed their freshman year and are participating in college sanctioned sports. They must also be graduates of Becker High School.
The letters of application from the three students are as follows:
Madi Kealy — Cross Country/Track
“I am currently attending Bemidji State University majoring in elementary education as a junior and am a member of both the track and cross country teams.”
Kealy is the daughter of Becker High School track and cross country coach, Tricia Reimer-Kealy and dad, Pat of Becker.
“My future goals are to improve on my running in my last two years as a college athlete,” Madi said. “As well as to continue my education and do well in my classes.”
Following college, she hopes to continue doing what she loves.
“My future plans are to teach and to coach,” she said.
Luke Lahr — Cross Country/Track
“I graduated from Becker High School in 2015 and am currently about to enter my sophomore year at the University of Minnesota Duluth and am majoring in mechanical engineering with a minor in business administration and currently have a 3.67 GPA,” said Lahr.
“I am responsible for funding the majority of my college education and do so with working fulltime in the summer (this year at Woodcraft Industries, St. Cloud), umpiring youth baseball in Becker and Big Lake, student loans and scholarships,” Luke said.
Luke loves to stay active and running continues to be a strong passion of his.
“I compete in cross country during the fall, indoor track in the winter and outdoor track in the spring for the UMD Bulldogs,” Lahr said.
Looking ahead, Lahr is always keeping his eyes on the finish line.
“After I get my degree, I hope to have a job lined up before I leave college in a stable company that specializes in my field,” he said. “My goal is to do an internship and hopefully get hired in that company.”
Luke’s parents are Al and Tammy-Sandy Lahr of Clear Lake.
Michael Veldman — Football/ Basketball
“I graduated from Becker High School in 2015. I had a GPA of 3.65 while also participating in football and basketball,” said Veldman.
“My future college goals are to attend Gustavus College in St. Peter (transferred from North Dakota State),” he said. “I play football at Gustavus and will major in business finance while I am there.”
Sports has always played a major role in Michael’s life.
“Sports are important but I know how important a quality education is,” he said. “I think it is a great blessing that I am able to play a sport in college and also strive to be the best I can be academically as well.”
Michael is grateful to the Lindbom family for helping make his dreams of a college education a reality.
“This scholarship is greatly appreciated because it helps ease the burden of paying for college,” Michael said. “Thank you so much for your consideration. God Bless!”
Michael is the son of Greg and Stacy Veldman of Becker.
