Melvin twins, Gunderson to be inducted into Abby Wall of Fame

Anne Melvin and Krista Melvin will be inducted into Abbotsford’s Wall of Fame as Outstanding Alumni, and Gary Gunderson will be inducted as a Friend of Education during a halftime ceremony at the Sept. 20 Homecoming football game versus Assumption.

Anne Melvin

Anne Melvin graduated from Abbotsford High School in 2001 after an outstanding academic and co-curricular career. Anne was the co-valedictorian along with her twin sister, Krista.Anne was the 2000 WIAAstate swimming champion in the 100-yard butterfly, the first and only Colby/Abby swimmer to achieve a state championship. She also placed third in the 50-yard freestyle at the 2000 state meet, resulting in a top 50 time of all high school swimmers in the nation that year.

Anne was a WIAA All-State recipient for swimming. At one time, Anne and Krista held a combined nine out of 11 school records of which only two individual records have been broken.

Anne was a 2001 recipient of the prestigious WIAA Scholar Athlete Award. In addition, Anne participated in track, being a school record holder in the 3200 M relay which was broken after 25 years in 2024.

Anne graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in nuclear medicine technology and a minor in chemistry from UWLaCrosse in 2006. While at La Crosse, she participated in the UW-LC swim team, where she was an eight-time NCAA Div III All-American and a nine-time NCAA Div III All American honorable mention. She set six UW-La Crosse records and four WIAC records during her career.

Along the way,Anne was a 12-time WIAC conference champion, leading her team to four consecutive undefeated seasons, four WIAC championships and a fifth place finish at the NCAA III National Championship. Anne was a 2005 NCAA Woman of the Year nominee, two-time ESPN The Magazine Scholar Athlete recipient and 2005 WIAC Scholar-Athlete.

During her time at UW-LaCrosse, she was a state of Wisconsin grant recipient for research in nuclear chemistry. After graduating from UW-LaCrosse, Anne attended Marquette University, receiving her master’s de-

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gree in the physician assistant program in 2010. Anne scored 800/800 and was in the top 99th percentile in the nation on the National Commission on Certification of PA board exam.

Anne’s professional career started as a hospitalist physician assistant at a large hospital in Milwaukee where she also served on the ethics committee. Beginning in 2013, Anne has served as an outpatient internal medicine PA, including six years in a health professional shortage area. She has received the prestigious Ascension’s Guardian Angel Award for her work supporting others.

In 2023, Anne undertook new responsibilities as the assistant director of clinical education and assistant clinical professor at Marquette University’s Physician Assistant School. Anne is also published in her field, contributing to a 2020 article for the Clinical Respiratory Journal.

Anne currently lives in Menomonee Falls, with her husband, Kipp Rood, with their two children, Catherine, 10, and James, 8. She is an avid hiker who still enjoys swimming and has completed a Half Iron Man triathlon.

Krista Melvin

Krista Melvin Jordan graduated from Abbotsford High School in 2001 after an outstanding academic and co-curricular career. Krista was the co-valedictorian along with her twin sister, Anne.

Krista was a three-time WIAA state qualifier in swimming, finishing with three top six finishes. At one time, Krista and Anne held a combined nine out of 11 school records, of which only two individual records have been broken. In addition, Krista participated in track, being a school record holder in the 3,200-meter relay, which was broken after 25 years in 2024.

Krista graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in nuclear medicine technology and a minor in chemistry from UWLa Crosse in 2006. While at La Crosse she participated with the UW-LC swim team, where she was a seven-time NCAA Div III All-American and 10-time NCAADiv IIIAll American Honorable Mention. She set six UW-La Crosse records and six WIAC records during her career.

Along the way, Krista was a 15-time WIAC conference champion, two-time MVP for UW-La Crosse swimming, and team captain while leading her team to four consecutive undefeated seasons, four WIAC championships and a fifth place finish at the NCAA III national championships.

After graduating from UW-La Crosse, Krista attended Duke University, receiving her master’s degree in the physician assistant program in 2010. After scoring 800/800 and being in the top 99th percentile in the nation on the National Commission on Certification of PA board exam, she was honored to be the Duke University commencement speaker.

Beginning in 2010, Krista has served as a hospitalist for the University of Minnesota Medical Center and currently is a neurology physician assistant at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, Minn, specializing in vascular neurology and dementia.

In 2018, Krista was named the Physician Assistant of the Year in the state of Minnesota. She continues her professional career through various organizations and contributions to her field, including organizing an annual meeting for advanced practice providers in vascular neurology, research in strokes, serving on the Executive Medical Council at Methodist Hospital and volunteering in the INSPIRE program which provides support and education to stroke and brain injury survivors and their families.

Krista currently lives in Eden Prairie, Minn., with her husband Brad Jordan, a C130 pilot for the US Air Force and with their two children, Daniel, 9, and Luke, 7. She is an avid hiker who still enjoys swimming and has completed two half marathons.

Gary Gunderson

Gary Gunderson is a dedicated educator with a distinguished 34-year career at Abbotsford Elementary School, starting in 1989.

A graduate of UW-Eau Claire, he spent 16 years as an elementary teacher before transitioning to the role of elementary principal, a position he held for 18 years until 2023.

His leadership was pivotal in earning the school five “Title I Wisconsin School of Recognition” awards and a “Wisconsin Response to Intervention Recognition” in 20202021. He also played a crucial role in three major building projects (2009, 2018, 2022) and was instrumental in the startup of both the 4-year-old kindergarten program and the dual language program.

In addition to his educational accomplishments, Gary has a rich background in coaching. Over 12 years as the head girls basketball coach, he earned the Marawood North Conference Coach of the Year title twice. His coaching career also included serving as head baseball coach, JV baseball coach, JV girls basketball coach, middle school girls basketball coach, and middle school football coach. He further contributed to the school's athletic success as athletic director for 8 years.

Beyond his professional life, Gary is deeply involved in his community. He served as a Booster Club member and vice president for four years, has been an active member of the Knights of Columbus, and served on the Marathon County Children with Disabilities Education Board from 2018 to 2024.

His commitment to education and community service is further demonstrated by his long-standing role on the Foster Grandparent Board for CESA 10 for 15 years and as a voting member of the Rural Virtual Academy Governance Board.

Gary and his wife, Karen, currently reside in Holmen. Karen is also a long time Abbotsford educator. She taught at Abbotsford Elementary School for 32 years before retiring in 2024.

They are proud parents of three children, all graduating from Abbotsford High School.

Their children are Brooklyn, Sadie, and Ryan. Brooklyn lives in Peoria, Ill., Sadie lives in Fairfield, Conn. and Ryan lives in Holmen.