The Sleepy Eye Education Association named Mary Ann Christensen as their 2021-2022 Friend of Education.
Christensen joins previous award winners Mel Cook and Duke Cook, Arneson Distributing, Dave Vosbeck, Julia Coulson, Darla Remus, Karen Okerman, Shari Hittesdorf and Denny Mangen.
The following was the nomination:
“Mary Ann Christensen is a huge supporter for our school and many different programs. She is sponsoring the third Ag. Teacher for the program, as well as a counselor for five years! Mary Ann also donated $20,000 to the school last December for Student Incentives, Staff Appreciation, CTE equipment needs, and much more. It has been so fun to give staff members gifts and words of appreciation each week.”
’’Mary Ann is a light in our community that shines so bright. She believes success breeds success and puts her monetary donations behind it. Never as an educator have I or [counselor] Sarah Eckstein ever been asked by a community supporter, ‘What are the top five things on your wish list?’ And then to have her follow through with the wishes and make them realities has been amazing. Mary Ann Christensen is truly deserving of this award and is definitely a Friend of Education.”