October 1, 2026

By Lane Kimble

Anna Kakatsch wants to make the world a better place through food.

The senior from Manitowoc Lincoln High School placed second nationally in the food innovations competition at the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Leadership Conference the past two years.

She also aims to become a biological systems engineer, which focuses on using technology to protect the world’s food, agriculture, water and energy sectors.

For now, though, she’s happy making the world a better place through safe driving.

Kakatsch was selected as the latest Work Zone Safe Wisconsin scholarship winner this week.

She received her $500 prize during the American Road and Transportation Builders Association’s Board of Directors Meeting Wednesday in Kohler.

“A seemingly simple task such as driving can lead to horrific outcomes in mere seconds due to distractions,” Kakatsch told the crowd. “I’ve learned how distractions on the road and in work zones can affect families and entire communities.”

More than 6,000 people have successfully completed Work Zone Safe Wisconsin since WTBA led its launch in April 2024.  A teen participant is selected at random each month to receive the $500 scholarship thanks to funding from the Wisconsin County Highway Association.

Kakatsch says she’ll put the $500 toward hopefully attending UW-Madison next fall.  Before then, she hopes to give her fellow FCCLA members some additional food for thought by presenting about Work Zone Safe at upcoming state and regional conferences.

“Thank you so much for this honor,” Kakatsch added.