Hi, I’m Lane Certo Ilstrup - I’m finishing a BA in Art Education, leading my university's food justice programs, mentoring other low-income first-year students in the Bonner Program, and until recently working as a landscape laborer. Six years ago, I came to Minneapolis from California, to study marketing at an art school. Turns out, that was too expensive! I also hated convincing others of what to buy in my studies. But I loved the expression of the fine arts, systems thinking, and building relationships, which is the basis of my work today. I left that program, and worked seasonally; in dishwashing, wildland firefighting, summer camp counseling.. learning and earning to return to school when I could. In 2025 I returned to college at Augsburg University. I'm working to become a high school art teacher so that I can empower students through the creative process. Art is not an ivory tower; it’s a tool we use to understand and interpret life itself, and I'm driven to embody that. My other passions include homeless outreach, harm reduction, and interfaith study. I love to cook, eat, and will try anything once except skydiving! To better connect to my community, I speak English, Spanish, and elementary Somali. Recent honors I’ve earned for my work: President’s Student Civic Leadership Award, Seed Coalition (2026) Care and Compassion Award, Augsburg Food Justice Programs (2026) Most Likely to Save Someone from a Burning Building Award, Bonner Leaders (2026)