Nanci Henderson Memorial Scholarship Fund

Nanci Henderson was a 2nd generation proud Petaluman. She attended McNear Elementary School, Petaluma Junior High and Petaluma High School, class of 1971. Nanci continued her education and graduated from Sonoma State University in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education. Upon completion, she then enlisted in the United States Army, where she received training in Physical Therapy. Nanci returned to Petaluma and began her career in the medical field, giving 30 years to Petaluma Valley Hospital in the Physical Therapy department. While joining the track team wasn't an option for her in high school, Nanci's love for running, especially sprinting, led her to run competitively in her early 60's. She participated in meets and traveled across California and out of state. One of the highlights of her running career was competing in the 50m at the National Senior Games, where she placed 4th in the nation out of her age group. She won numerous medals and continued training and competing until her cancer diagnosis. Her family would like to honor her memory by supporting the next generation of female track athletes. We know how much joy running and competing brought to her life and would like to encourage that joy in others.