Following a five-year break, the North Scott Hall of Excellence will welcome a new member on May 8.
Kela Ganzer will take her place in the Hall of Excellence during the North Scott Honors Aud and Scholarship Night.
A 2006 graduate of North Scott, Ganzer grew up in rural Donahue. She graduated from St. Ambrose University in 2010 with a degree in marketing and management and is employed as an HR specialist at the Rock Island Arsenal.
In 2014, Ganzer opened her own business, Backwards Yoga, in Eldridge. She began practicing yoga in college after suffering from chronic back pain caused by scoliosis. She moved into her current location on North Second Street, next to the fire department, in 2015. Backwards Yoga was named the Eldridge-North Scott Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Year in 2024. “This business, owned by a hometown girl, who is committed to the health and well-being of the community, literally and figuratively, has a positive impact on anything she touches,” said Tabbitha Kramer and Heather Khoury of the Chamber.
She is also a community booster, holding events during the Eldridge Summer Festival and Hometown Holiday, and hosts a Blessing Box outside of her studio.
“We are delighted to welcome Kela to the Hall of Excellence on May 8,” said Erin Gentz of The North Scott Press, who heads the Hall of Excellence committee with high school associate principal Aaron Schwarz. “She has demonstrated success in her career, and has had a tremendous impact on the community, two of the pillars of the Hall.”
Ganzer will be inducted during the Honors Aud, starting at 6 p.m. in the North Scott Fine Arts Auditorium. The presentation of scholarships to graduating seniors will immediately follow.
Community members wishing to join the committee or make a nomination should contact Schwartz at aaron.schwartz@north-scott.k12.ia.us or 563-285-3277, or Gentz at egentz@northscottpress.com or 563-285-8111. Any community member may make a nomination. An online form is available at goo.gl/Ym7HHK, or a copy may be requested by contacting Schwartz or Gentz.