Meet your Cook County Neighbor: Lenna Stever-Sobanja
Apr 06, 2026 07:57AM ● By Editor
Photos provided
A Boreal Community Media Exclusive - April 4, 2026
As a CCHS graduate, have you always lived in Cook County or did you get the opportunity to explore the world after high school graduation?
When I graduated from CCHS I desperately wanted to get out and see the world. I didn’t go directly to college, instead I travelled for 3 months in western Europe with one of my closest friends. It’s been over 2 decades since then, and in that time I have traveled and lived in several countries around the world. My longest stint abroad was living in Ha Noi, Viet Nam. I loved learning about the history & cultures of that region, eating some of the most delicious food on planet Earth, and making lifelong friends. Travel has given me an opportunity to understand humanity on a deeper level. No matter how different our cultures are, we share most of the same worries, loves, and fears. I feel I can better value my own humanity by understanding others.
Will you share a bit about your love of dance?
It’s hard to speak briefly about dance, I am so passionate about it! Dance is a form of art that combines physical exercise, creativity, community, and self expression. Since it is a part of every culture around the world, I can only assume we humans are meant to dance. We’ve all seen kids going wild on a dance floor; it’s the most natural and joyful thing there is. As we get older that sense of freedom is diminished by fear and insecurity, but the dance is still inside us. There is no such thing as “can’t dance” because there is no wrong or right way to move your body. It is scary and we often feel foolish when we begin anything new, but in a dance class your fellow dancers are in the same boat. By the time you’ve been dancing with a group for a few months, you have built community and you have new confidence.
For me, dancing brings a sort of peace that I rarely get to experience in other parts of life. It doesn't happen every time I dance, but sometimes it’s like the world disappears, my mind goes quiet, and nothing else is happening. I’m just dancing.
As Student Services Manager for Cook County Higher Ed, what does a typical workday look like for you?
At CCHE I get to help fellow community members explore options for learning & education. I take all the confusing information about furthering your education and winnow it down into a step by step process. On a typical day I might help with financial aid & the FAFSA, connect someone to our free tutoring services, or find accessibility services that a student needs. I also run our scholarship programs, so I help folks figure out which CCHE scholarship they should apply for and guide them through the application process. If you are interested in CCHE’s support, don’t hesitate to contact me! [email protected] / 218-387-3411
If someone asked you what living and working in Cook County is like, how would you respond?
First, I’d bring up the history of our region. It’s important to understand the way colonization, treaties & land grabs, capitalism, and tourism have impacted the area. When visiting, it can be easy to see the area as one-dimensional: a quaint and beautiful tourism destination. We contain multitudes, however, and it’s important to be aware of the many elements which influence our communities and cultures.
Second, I’d remind folks that living here is different from being on vacation here. Economic hardship is real in this community, with many people working multiple jobs and still unable to afford the housing and food prices. This is a reality of where we live, and it’s a problem we can keep working to improve.
Third, I’d say it can be one of the best places to live on Earth. If you love nature, you have unbelievable access to wilderness. Without traveling far, you can be in the forest hearing nothing but birdsong and the wind in the trees. If a close-knit community appeals to you, this is a place that cares about its neighbors. The world has recently witnessed the way that Minnesotans do neighboring, and this community is no exception.
If you had the opportunity to turn back time, are there any life choices that you would have done differently?
Nope! If I had done things differently I’d simply be living a different life, and not necessarily a better one. I am grateful for all that has come my way, even the hard things.
Who inspires you and why?
The women in my life are my biggest inspiration. My mom, Heidi Sobanja, has influenced me the most. She has shown me how to live a good life: to trust, to listen & learn, to be sensitive & thoughtful, and to give compassion to others and to myself. I can’t express my gratitude enough.
I am also lucky to have a group of very close friends who are all incredible women. They are loving, funny, creative, generous, and honestly stunning in every way. They handle the difficulties of life with thoughtfulness, emotional intelligence, and kindness, making the world a better place just by existing. They inspire me and make my life so much richer; as Jane Fonda puts it, "I don't even know what I would do without my women friends. I have my friends, so therefore I am."
A Boreal Community Media Exclusive - April 4, 2026
As a CCHS graduate, have you always lived in Cook County or did you get the opportunity to explore the world after high school graduation?
When I graduated from CCHS I desperately wanted to get out and see the world. I didn’t go directly to college, instead I travelled for 3 months in western Europe with one of my closest friends. It’s been over 2 decades since then, and in that time I have traveled and lived in several countries around the world. My longest stint abroad was living in Ha Noi, Viet Nam. I loved learning about the history & cultures of that region, eating some of the most delicious food on planet Earth, and making lifelong friends. Travel has given me an opportunity to understand humanity on a deeper level. No matter how different our cultures are, we share most of the same worries, loves, and fears. I feel I can better value my own humanity by understanding others.
Will you share a bit about your love of dance?
It’s hard to speak briefly about dance, I am so passionate about it! Dance is a form of art that combines physical exercise, creativity, community, and self expression. Since it is a part of every culture around the world, I can only assume we humans are meant to dance. We’ve all seen kids going wild on a dance floor; it’s the most natural and joyful thing there is. As we get older that sense of freedom is diminished by fear and insecurity, but the dance is still inside us. There is no such thing as “can’t dance” because there is no wrong or right way to move your body. It is scary and we often feel foolish when we begin anything new, but in a dance class your fellow dancers are in the same boat. By the time you’ve been dancing with a group for a few months, you have built community and you have new confidence.
For me, dancing brings a sort of peace that I rarely get to experience in other parts of life. It doesn't happen every time I dance, but sometimes it’s like the world disappears, my mind goes quiet, and nothing else is happening. I’m just dancing.
As Student Services Manager for Cook County Higher Ed, what does a typical workday look like for you?
At CCHE I get to help fellow community members explore options for learning & education. I take all the confusing information about furthering your education and winnow it down into a step by step process. On a typical day I might help with financial aid & the FAFSA, connect someone to our free tutoring services, or find accessibility services that a student needs. I also run our scholarship programs, so I help folks figure out which CCHE scholarship they should apply for and guide them through the application process. If you are interested in CCHE’s support, don’t hesitate to contact me! [email protected] / 218-387-3411
If someone asked you what living and working in Cook County is like, how would you respond?
First, I’d bring up the history of our region. It’s important to understand the way colonization, treaties & land grabs, capitalism, and tourism have impacted the area. When visiting, it can be easy to see the area as one-dimensional: a quaint and beautiful tourism destination. We contain multitudes, however, and it’s important to be aware of the many elements which influence our communities and cultures.
Second, I’d remind folks that living here is different from being on vacation here. Economic hardship is real in this community, with many people working multiple jobs and still unable to afford the housing and food prices. This is a reality of where we live, and it’s a problem we can keep working to improve.
Third, I’d say it can be one of the best places to live on Earth. If you love nature, you have unbelievable access to wilderness. Without traveling far, you can be in the forest hearing nothing but birdsong and the wind in the trees. If a close-knit community appeals to you, this is a place that cares about its neighbors. The world has recently witnessed the way that Minnesotans do neighboring, and this community is no exception.
If you had the opportunity to turn back time, are there any life choices that you would have done differently?
Nope! If I had done things differently I’d simply be living a different life, and not necessarily a better one. I am grateful for all that has come my way, even the hard things.
Who inspires you and why?
The women in my life are my biggest inspiration. My mom, Heidi Sobanja, has influenced me the most. She has shown me how to live a good life: to trust, to listen & learn, to be sensitive & thoughtful, and to give compassion to others and to myself. I can’t express my gratitude enough.
I am also lucky to have a group of very close friends who are all incredible women. They are loving, funny, creative, generous, and honestly stunning in every way. They handle the difficulties of life with thoughtfulness, emotional intelligence, and kindness, making the world a better place just by existing. They inspire me and make my life so much richer; as Jane Fonda puts it, "I don't even know what I would do without my women friends. I have my friends, so therefore I am."
Boreal Community Media has been featuring the"Meet your Cook County Neighbor" series for several years now. If you enjoy reading these and would like to nominate someone to be featured, please send us an email to [email protected]
