BROOKSVILLE, Fla. — Spectrum Bay News 9 is recognizing four amazing students from across the Tampa Bay area. Each of them is receiving a $1,000 scholarship. Katelyn Carlsen is one of our Spectrum Scholars. She graduated from Hernando High School in Brooksville. Katelyn isn’t just gifted academically, she was also the district champion in golf this past season. Her teachers say she’s a natural leader, and an inspiration to other students. 

To say Katelyn’s talents are “well-rounded” is an understatement. You may find her at Hernando High School sitting behind a computer working on an Advanced Placement Computer Science class where she’s already earned nine industry certifications, or you may find her on the golf course. She’s played golf for seven years and is the current district champ, but she says her true passion is studying the brain.

“I took AP Psychology my tenth grade year, and the one unit where we dived into the brain. I was fascinated, and ever since then I just found it so fascinating to study and to learn about,” she said.

Katelyn plans to attend the University of South Florida in the fall. She wants to become a neurologist, and while medical school is challenging and rigorous, after taking 12 AP classes in high school, Katelyn feels prepared.

“A lot of the time, I will start with motivation in the beginning of the year, but it eventually runs out, and so from that point on, it’s just discipline at that point, discipline and time management to keep me going,” she said.

Katelyn will attend USF in the fall and wants to become a neurologist. (Spectrum Bay News 9/Roger Johnson)

Which Katelyn has mastered — she’s maintained a 4.6 GPA while also working at the Lazy Maid Creperie. Katelyn says she’s very proud of her work there and has learned valuable life lessons.

“I’ve heard so many stories and learned so many things that something at school could never teach you in that environment, so that is just one thing that I hold really personal, and really close to me because it’s such a wonderful experience,” she said.

Now, Katelyn is looking forward to a new wonderful experience at USF where she plans to put in the same focus and dedication as she works to achieving her dreams

Katelyn says the Spectrum Scholarship will help cover extra expenses in college, so she doesn’t have to worry as much about money.