Allison Helmin Named 2026 Grow the Dream Scholar

Prep Network announced the winner of the fourth annual Grow the Dream Scholarship today, naming Lincoln Junior Senior High School’s Allison Helmin as the 2026 recipient.

Helmin stood out among hundreds of applicants for her academic drive, community impact, and success on the court. She’ll attend Hamline University this fall, continuing her academic and volleyball career.

Now in its fourth year, the Grow the Dream Scholarship recognizes graduating seniors earning a spot on an athletic roster at a Minnesota college or university while excelling both on and off the court/field. Helmin will receive $10,000 a year for four years.  Since its inception, the Grow the Dream Foundation has awarded more than $60,000 to deserving student-athletes.

MEET THE WINNER

Allison Helmin of Lincoln Junior Senior High School (MN)

Few students balance a varsity roster, a full extracurricular calendar, and multiple jobs the way Allison Helmin does. At Lincoln Junior Senior High School, she capped her volleyball career by earning Offensive MVP and Overall MVP honors as a senior, picking up the Leadership Award in both her junior and senior years, and being named All-Conference Honorable Mention. She also competed on the school’s track & field team and played club volleyball.

That drive carries well beyond athletics. Allison was involved in the National Honor Society, Bel Canto, Key Club, Teen Leadership Program, Math League, BPA, and Prom Committee, all while working three part-time jobs as a social media coordinator for local small businesses in her town. She’s also logged 25+ volunteer hours every year throughout high school, coaching youth volleyball camps, running youth face painting, working concessions and youth sporting events, supporting Chamber of Commerce activities, helping set up Fall Fest, and joining highway clean-up crews.

Allison will continue her academic and athletic journey at Hamline University, where she plans to study Sales & Communications.

“Allison is a leader in every sense, on the court, in the classroom, and in her community. She chases her own goals without ever losing sight of the people around her. That’s the kind of impact we love to celebrate,” said Jake Phillips, Prep Network Co-Founder and CEO.

We’re excited to support Allison as she starts her next chapter at Hamline.

To learn more about the scholarship, visit prepnetwork.com/grow-the-dream. Applications open again this fall for Class of 2027 students. If you know someone we should consider, encourage them to bookmark the page above.