In 2025, the North Dakota Safety Council and the Deutscher Family Memorial launched the Foundation 4 Change Scholarship, a lasting tribute to the Deutscher Family. What began as the Run 4 Change has evolved into a mission that invests directly in the next generation. And now, with two scholarships already awarded, that impact is real, visible, and growing.
Each year the Foundation awards a scholarship that honors the memory of Aaron, Allison, Brielle, and their unborn baby by empowering students to pursue education while becoming advocates for safer choices and stronger communities.
This is more than financial support… it’s a commitment to shaping leaders who will influence behaviors, prevent tragedies, and create safer roads for all of us.
We invite all former runners, sponsors, and supporters of change to help by contributing to the Foundation 4 Change Scholarship, helping fund change for years to come.
Learn about the Deutscher Family
On July 6, 2012, the Deutscher family packed their vehicle for a trip to a family reunion in Bismarck. It was a warm summer evening, and the roads were perfectly clear. Allison and Aaron were a young couple who had just begun their family a year earlier with the birth of their blue-eyed daughter, Brielle. Allison was now 3 1/2 months pregnant with their second child. This trip was a chance for them to share their excitement with family, who eagerly awaited them at their destination. But Aaron, Allison, and Brielle would never arrive at their destination. In a matter of seconds, the young Deutscher Family was gone. One person’s poor decision to drive while drunk killed not only Brielle, but her mother, father, and unborn sibling. Since that unthinkable day, the Deutscher and Mickelson families have spent countless hours working to create change through the Deutscher Crash Display trailer and by hosting the Run 4 Change.
Apply for the Scholarship
Eligibility Requirements:
- Education Level: High school, undergraduate, trade school, or graduate student
- State: North Dakota
- Background: Is affected by or advocates against drunk and impaired driving
Applications will be open December 1, 2026 – February 28, 2027. The NDSC will award the Scholarship at our NDSC Annual Awards Banquet in April of 2027.
Meet our Past Winners
2026 Foundation 4 Change Scholarship Winner:
Hayden Mehlhoff
Radiologic Technology student at Minot State University
Hayden’s essay moved our entire scholarship committee. In her essay, Hayden discussed continuing to advocate for harsher penalties for drunk driving and increased use of ignition interlock devices. Hayden lost her sister, Taylor, to a drunk driving accident in 2015. Every day she lives without her sister, and like so many other tragedies, the crash that killed Taylor was 100 percent preventable.
“As someone who has experienced the devastating impact of drunk driving personally through the loss of my sister, Taylor, I am extremely committed to raising awareness and advocating for change. I’m honored to carry on Aaron, Allison, Brielle, and baby Deutscher’s legacy through this scholarship. I strive to bring compassion and understanding to my patients, drawing on my own experiences with loss. Your generosity not only creates opportunities for students like me but also inspires us to make meaningful differences in the world.”
– Hayden Mehlhoff
2025 Foundation 4 Change Scholarship Winner:
Johanne Labastida
Nursing Student at Williston State College
Joahanne’s powerful essay entry spoke from the heart. She shared not only her personal connection to the devastating impact of impaired driving, but also a clear vision for how to make communities safer, through education, advocacy, and courageous conversations.
“Being a winner of this scholarship means so much to me, not just as a financial blessing, but as a recognition of my commitment to making a difference. This scholarship motivates me to continue pursuing my goals with even greater determination, know that organizations like the NDSC believe in my potential.”
– Johanne Labastida
