Meet the 2026 Foundation 4 Change Winner – Hayden Mehlhoff
We are proud to announce Hayden Mehlhoff as the 2026 recipient of the Foundation 4 Change Scholarship, awarded by the North Dakota Safety Council and the Deutscher Family Memorial.
Selected from more than 30 applicants from across North Dakota by a panel of reviewers, Hayden stood out for her courage, insight, and commitment to preventing tragedies caused by impaired driving.
Hayden is a Mandan High School graduate and current student at Minot State University, where she is pursuing a degree in radiologic technology, a path dedicated to helping others heal.
Her winning essay is deeply personal and powerful, sharing the devastating loss of her sister to a drunk driver in 2015 and the lasting ripple effects on her family and community.
“One small decision to drive intoxicated creates a chain reaction of negative effects to yourself, the people around you, and your community.”
A Scholarship Born from Tragedy
The Foundation 4 Change Scholarship was created in memory of the Deutscher family: Aaron, Allison, Brielle, and their unborn child. The family was killed by a drunk driver in July 2012. Their story moved people across North Dakota and beyond. And now, it’s fueling a movement to make sure their legacy is one that inspires change and empowers future generations. Help us continue to fund this scholarship for years to come.
