The WAY Foundation Donates to Gerstell to Promote Leadership Education

As founding members of the WAY Foundation, Gerstell Academy students, Bode and Erin Yelland, select Gerstell Academy as the recipient of their first donation. The WAY Foundation was established by the Yelland family to connect with our past to influence our future, encourage leadership with integrity, generate meaningful change, demonstrate civic and personal responsibility, and maintain and protect our natural resources. The goal of the WAY Foundation states, “to let thoughtful passion lead the WAY as we face today’s problems and create tomorrow’s solutions.”
Seventh grade leader, Bode has attended Gerstell Academy since Kindergarten, while his fifth grade sister Erin enrolled at Gerstell Academy in Pre-Kindergarten. In 2017, Bode was awarded the prestigious Lower School Norm Smith Leadership Award, given to the most outstanding student representative of Gerstell Academy’s Leadership Principles & Attributes.
Director of Development and Alumni Relations, Carmen Lennartsson states, “We are so very honored that Bode and Erin selected Gerstell Academy to benefit from their remarkable WAY Foundation. Their foundation will promote leadership, education, values, and support their community. We thank Bode, Erin and their family for this generous gift.”
Dr. Smith, Founder, President Emeritus, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, offers this statement on behalf of Gerstell Academy and the Board of Trustees to Bode, Erin, and the WAY Foundation: “Our school certainly thanks the Yelland family and all the relatives who participated in this. It means a great deal to us that you are looking to contribute to the school and are hoping to graduate from Gerstell in a few years. You really set a standard because this will be one of the most significant gifts ever given by alumni or a student, and that is very impressive. I want to thank you on behalf of the school and the Board of Trustees.”