August 31, 2026
As we count down to September 2nd—the 100th birthday of Armond Hauge, the Greater Denfeld Foundation’s biggest supporter—we are calling out the incredible milestones achieved by some of the 403 Denfeld alumni thanks to his vision and generosity.
Today, we are excited to spotlight Katelyn Mayne, a 2020 Denfeld High School graduate who leveraged the freedom of the Hauge Scholarship to explore her passions, graduate college debt-free, and build a flourishing creative freelance business in the Twin Cities.
A Ray of Hope During Uncertain Times
Graduating high school in the spring of 2020 brought an unprecedented amount of uncertainty. But amidst the chaos of the pandemic, a simple trip to the mailbox delivered a moment Katelyn will never forget.
“The Hauge was the very first scholarship letter I received, and it was the start of an incredibly exciting time in my life,” Katelyn recalls. “Even during COVID when everything was so uncertain, I knew for sure that I was going to keep up with college and find the thing that I was passionate about. I was able to achieve that because of this scholarship.”
Because the Hauge Scholarship was not restricted to a specific major, it gave Katelyn the freedom to explore her interests without the paralyzing fear of picking the “wrong” path financially.
The Power of Graduating Debt-Free
For many college students, student loans can be a major source of stress. For Katelyn, the true impact of Armond Hauge’s legacy hit home during her very first semester.
“I remember seeing my financial aid report and realizing that I didn’t have to take out a loan—that was huge!” Katelyn shares. “Knowing that there were generous people out there who believed in me enough to help fund my education was extremely motivating.”
With that incredible weight lifted off her shoulders, Katelyn attended the University of Minnesota, double-majoring and graduating in 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communications and Studies in Cinema & Film—completely debt-free
Capturing Millions of Views
Today, Katelyn is putting her double major to work as an advertising and video freelancer based in the Twin Cities. She creates engaging video and social media content for a wide array of clients—from small businesses, local food bloggers, musicians, and photographers to recognized brands like the Manhattan Toy Company (working on their iconic Groovy Girls account) and Mojo Coffee Gallery.
Some of her viral digital content has even garnered millions of views!
“Receiving the Hauge Scholarship was an absolute game-changer for me,” says Katelyn. “To this day, it still means the world.”
Are You a Hauge Scholar? Share Your Story!
Armond Hauge’s lifelong commitment to saving created possibilities that transformed the futures of Denfeld students like Katelyn. As we celebrate his 100th birthday milestone, we want to hear how his support shaped your journey!
If you or someone you know was awarded a Hauge Scholarship, please fill out our Hauge Scholarship Reconnect Form and reconnect with us!