Meet the winners of the 2026 Linden Scholarship

Six bright young Minnesota students have earned money for college through The Salvation Army’s annual Linden Scholarship fund. 

This year’s winners are majoring in nursing, bio chemistry, psychology, and other admirable disciplines. All of the students volunteer regularly and are up-and-coming leaders. 

This year’s winners include:

• Lyric Gray from St. Paul. Lyric will attend Loyola University-Chicago for a degree in Bio Chemistry.
• Greyson Hurley from Rosemount. Greyson will attend the University of Minnesota for a degree in Environmental Science.
• Amelia Johnson from Woodbury. Amelia will attend Minnesota State University for a degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders.
• Jessica Okuku from Vadnais Heights. Jessica will attend Northwestern University in St. Paul for a degree in Psychology.
• May OO from Maplewood. May will attend the University of Minnesota for a degree in Accounting/Business Analysis.
• Ayla Paton from Woodbury. Ayla will attend Bethel University for a degree in Nursing.

The Linden Scholarship was established in the mid-1970s by St. Paul native Pearl H. Linden and her two sisters, who left The Salvation Army $250,000 to help college-bound students in need of financial aid. Linden asked that the scholarships be awarded to students who demonstrate community spirit and high moral standards. 

The one-time, non-renewable scholarship offers $3,000 for students pursuing a four-year degree and $1,500 for students in two-year programs.

“The Linden Scholarship demonstrates how estate planning can help create a lasting legacy that makes a difference in the lives of others,” said Paul Deakins, Executive Director of Development for The Salvation Army Northern Division.

Success story: Clara Jünemann

Linden Scholarships can have a life-changing impact on the students who receive them. 

Such is the case for Clara Jünemann, who received a Linden Scholarship during her undergraduate years at the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities. She graduated last year with a 3.75 GPA (magna cum laude), earning a B.S. in Psychology with minors in Art and Fashion Studies. 

“I am the first person in my family to attend school in the United States – an experience that has come with challenges and many new experiences,” Clara said. 

With help from The Salvation Army’s Linden Scholarship, Clara overcame her challenges and achieved academic excellence. She has excelled in many other ways as well, such as:

• Became an EMT and worked for the collegiate EMS agency. 
• Served in Undergraduate Student Government for three years.
• Served as a teaching assistant for three classes. 
• Played in campus orchestra.
• Learned Swedish and spent a summer studying abroad. 
• Awarded the University of Minnesota President’s Student Leadership and Service Award in 2024 and 2025.

Clara is thankful for the opportunities The Salvation Army’s Linden Scholarship provided her. 

“Thank you for your support during my undergraduate journey,” she wrote in a letter to The Salvation Army. “I would not have been able to pursue all of my passions and complete my undergraduate degree without your support.”

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