The Herb Kohl Educational Foundation has announced the 46 private school winners of $496,000 in Principal, Teacher and Student awards to WCRIS schools.
These winners were selected from a competitive field of applicants from across the state and represent the best and brightest in private K-12 schools.
Fourteen Teacher Fellowship award recipients each receive $6,000 and $6,000 for each of their schools. Fourteen Student Excellence and 14 Student Initiative Scholarship winners each receive $10,000. Last year, Herb Kohl raised the student scholarships from $5,000 to $10,000 each.
Four WCRIS principals each receive $6,000 and another $6,000 for each of their schools, from the Outstanding Wisconsin Leadership Award, which is the fourth year of this program.
The Award winners are notified individually by the Foundation. They will be recognized at regional receptions in April. Herb Kohl will attend each ceremony to present the awards, along with WCRIS Board members and staff.
“This is not only a symbol of the hard work and effort of our principals, teachers and students, but a symbol of what our WCRIS schools can achieve,” Executive Director Sharon Schmeling said.
“On behalf of WCRIS, I want to congratulate all the nominees and winners of this year’s awards. We are proud of the hard work you do to make private education in Wisconsin excellent,” Schmeling said.
Principal Leadership Award Winners
Luke Harrison, Cristo Rey Jesuit Milwaukee High School, Milwaukee
Lisa Kovaleski, Waukesha Catholic, Waukesha
Maria Schram, Saint Mary Parish School, Hales Corners
Jean Suttie, St. Patrick Catholic School, Sparta
Teacher Fellowship Award Winners
Kathy Alcorta, Waukesha Catholic Schools – St. Joseph Middle School, Waukesha
Marci Bigler, Brookfield Christian School, Brookfield
Deanne Boyce, Saint Paul Lutheran School, Grafton
Catherine Burnett, Pius XI Catholic High School, Milwaukee
Nici Colwin, Shepherd of the Hills Catholic School, Eden
Natalie Doherty, Hales Corners Lutheran School, Hales Corners
Dona Frank, St. John the Baptist Catholic School, Jefferson
Christine Goulet, Xavier Catholic Middle School, Appleton
Rachel Jensen, Mary Queen of Saints Catholic Academy, West Allis
Justin Kuehl, Notre Dame Catholic Middle School, Chippewa Falls
Kelli McGreevey, Xavier Catholic High School, Appleton
Erin Mehlberg, Saint Paul Lutheran Grade School, Stevens Point
Sherry Patton, Pacelli Catholic Middle School, Stevens Point
Eileen Snodgrass, Heritage Christian School, New Berlin
Student Excellence Award Winners
Bonnie Raechal Beres, Divine Savior Holy Angels High School, Milwaukee
Abigail Buxa, Lakeside Lutheran High School, Lake Mills
David Chrisbaum, Pius XI Catholic High School, Milwaukee
Cade Christensen, St. Mary’s Springs Academy, Fond du Lac
Crystal DiBiase, Saint Joseph Catholic Academy, Kenosha
Grace Flynn, Edgewood Catholic High School, Madison
Rachel Hubbard, Valley Christian School, Oshkosh
Amal Khan, University School of Milwaukee, Milwaukee
Katya Konopacki, Roncalli Catholic High School, Manitowoc
Krista Krien, Catholic Central High School, Burlington
Anna Little, Saint Mary Catholic High School, Neenah
Olivia McTrusty, Sheboygan Area Lutheran High School, Sheboygan
Laura Sokup, Regis Catholic High School, Eau Claire
Shelby Strandberg, Divine Savior Holy Angels, Milwaukee
Student Initiative Award Winners
Michaela Bradham, Grace Christian Academy, West Allis
Jacqueline Dixon, Living Word Lutheran High School, Jackson
Joshua Dudek, Sheboygan Lutheran High School, Sheboygan
Melvin Hood, Milwaukee Lutheran High School, Milwaukee
Sergio Jara-Reynoso, Marquette University High School, Milwaukee
Joshua Layton, Saint Johns Northwestern Military Academy, Delafield
Bennett Loersch, Luther High School, Onalaska
Noah Mason, Rock County Christian School, Beloit
Michelle Mitchell, Dominican High School, Whitefish Bay
Elaine Nevin, Catholic Central High School, Burlington
Sebastian Sykora, McDonell Central Catholic High School, Chippewa Falls
Evan Tillman, Divine Savior Holy Angels Catholic High School, Milwaukee
Anna Van Riper, Aquinas Catholic High School, La Crosse
Marley Wesenberg, Lourdes Academy, Oshkosh
