Post Messenger Recorder -

The board of directors of The Monticello Foundation, Inc. met November 14 and voted to award seventeen scholarships in the amount of $2,000 each to Monticello grads currently in college. Congratulations to these deserving students: Jordyn Kubly, Lauren Schilder, Jordan Garrison, Emily Koch, Logan Marty, Lucas Marty, Mackenzie Zanow, Clare Gietzel, Samantha DeVoe, Alex Henning, Dylan Beckwith, Alyssah Kubly, Kallista Baebler, Ashley Risley, Christian Wahl, John Zuber and Courtney Leuzinger. This brings the total amount awarded in 2017 to $52,000, and the total amount awarded since 1995 is $333,750! Thanks to everyone who applied and to our generous community for their continued support to help make this possible!

Selection is based on criteria such as academics, activities, leadership, community activities, citizenship, work experience and financial need. We hope you enjoy reading about these fine young people and agree that these students are very deserving and well on their way to much success!

Christian Wahl, Class of 2015

My name is Christian Wahl, and I go to Marian University of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. I am a Forensic Science major with a double minor in Biology and Chemistry. I am currently the President of the Science and Math Association (SMA), the Vice President of the Forensic Science Association, and the President and Founder of the Student Association of Smiles and Happiness (SASH). I also work at the Marian University Naber Residential Hall, the Marian University Writing Center, and am a Student Mentor for the Marian University First-Year Studies Program. I am also a part of the National Forensic Sciences Honor Society, Delta Epsilon. I have enjoyed all the classes I have taken so far, and cannot wait for the future and what is in store for me. I am currently looking for internships, which gets me excited even more.  It has honestly been a lot of fun up by Lake Winnebago, but I always think of Lake Montesian once in a while and all the memories that I had in Monticello, which I will always cherish. Thank you very much for the Monticello Foundation Scholarship. Words cannot describe how much this will help with my future.

Alex Henning, Class of 2012

Hello! My name is Alex Henning; I am a 2012 graduate of Monticello and the son of Andrew and Connie Henning. In 2016, I received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in Sociology and Legal Studies and also a certificate in Criminal Justice. In addition to serving tables while attending UW-Madison, I interned with the Wisconsin Department of Justice in their Criminal Litigation Unit and in the Office of the Solicitor General. I also volunteered at Community Justice, Inc., a non-profit law firm, which offers affordable legal services to low-income individuals and families. I am currently a J.D. Candidate in my first year (of three) at Cornell Law School in Ithaca, New York. At the law school, I am the 1L representative for Lambda Law Association (LGBTQ) and a member of the American Constitution Society and Law Students for Reproductive Justice. I want to thank the entire Monticello community and the Monticello Foundation for your continued support, as this is my fifth foundation scholarship.

John Zuber, Class of 2015

Currently, I am continuing to earn credits for a B.S. in both Botany and Environmental Studies in order to pursue my dream of continuing botanical research. I am lucky to be a part of the university’s single mycology lab (fungi-a subset of botany) under Anne Pringle, a renowned Mycologist and Microbiologist, previously teaching at Harvard. I am working directly under a grad student and helping him with his experiments while conducting my own and eventually my senior thesis project. I also am working at the UW-Herbarium, a large museum of sorts that houses decades of dried plant material for research use. Once I am there long enough, I will receive curator status which will apply to working at any museum! Over the summer, I also had the opportunity to work at the UW Arboretum doing conservation. All of these experiences are solidifying my presence in the botany field and preparing me for a successful career post undergrad school, and most likely, grad school! Again, thank you for the opportunity!

Dylan Beckwith, Class of 2015

I am currently in my 3rd and final year at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, double majoring in Psychology and Strategic Communication. Outside of academics, I am an active member in student government, having been elected both a Student Senator and College of Liberal Arts Student Board member. Additionally, I work for a small commercial real estate company serving as a Marketing and Research Intern. With my combined education and experience, I hope to start a real estate investment business in the future. I would like to thank the Monticello Foundation for their continued support of my education and passions! 

Jordyn Kubly, Class of 2013

At my time here at Milwaukee I have had the opportunity to do so many great things that I never saw myself doing. I have found myself as a person and figured out what I want my future career to be, and that is to be an Occupational Therapist. I am graduating this December from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and continuing my education in grad school to receive my Masters in Occupational Therapy. Over the past four years in Milwaukee I have found many different places to volunteer and the place I loved the most was at a Children’s Hospital here in Milwaukee. I am currently working in Brookfield, WI, as an Engagement Assistant at a memory care facility for elderly folk with dementia until I leave for graduate school. I can see myself being an Occupational Therapist in a memory care home someday. I have a true passion for it and I absolutely love it.

Samantha DeVoe, Class of 2015

I am incredibly humbled and honored to be a recipient of the Monticello Foundation Scholarship. I am grateful for the continued support of the Monticello Foundation and community in pursuing my college degree. I’m currently a junior at Iowa State University majoring in Animal Science and minoring in Spanish. I am actively involved with three clubs: Dairy Science Club, Block and Bridle Club, and Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE). I currently serve as an Executive Officer, Vice President of the Dairy Science Club and will serve as the President in 2018. I am also an Education Chair where we go to elementary schools to teach about the dairy industry and products. This club has given me an endless amount of connections in the industry and a new perspective on farms. In Block and Bridle Club I am involved in the Beef Interest Group and Farm Tour Committee, and then in WiSE, I am an Ambassador. In my remaining free time, I participate in numerous intramurals including slow pitch softball, basketball, and volleyball and of course, enjoy supporting the Cyclones at football and basketball games. Last summer I had the opportunity to intern at Riverview, LLP in Morris, MN, and learned about large-scale agriculture while enhancing my Spanish speaking capabilities. Currently for the summer of 2018 I am in second round interviews with Vita Plus Corporation, Purina Animal Nutrition, and Phibro Animal Health.

This semester I have also had the opportunity to work at the Iowa State Dairy Farm doing nutrition research. Even with all my activities, I have managed to be on the Dean’s List every semester. I have made lifelong friends and feel unbelievably appreciative for the opportunities and memories that I have made here at Iowa State University.

Thank you again to the Monticello Foundation Scholarship and community for continual support to make this all possible. I am always trying to make my family and community proud, thank you!

Courtney Leuzinger, Class of 2015

Alongside with studying for classes, I am in 3 practicums this semester – observing a classroom at Wingra School, teaching a science after-school program, and helping with the cutting-edge program by planning activities and hanging out with the students. I have a job at the Edgewood Campus School where I go into a classroom and help the teacher prepare for the upcoming weeks, I also work at the Cheesecake Factory, and in the summer I worked full-time at the Swiss Colony. With the free time I have I always make it back to South Wayne to watch my brother and sister (CJ and Natalie) play basketball.

Lauren Schilder, Class of 2014

Thank you to the Monticello Foundation for selecting me as a recipient of the Monticello Foundation continuing college scholarship. This past spring I finished my traditional undergraduate and pre-professional studies at Concordia University! In addition to all of my studies, I served as the American Cancer Society Officer for Concordia Against Cancer and put on the University’s second annual Relay for Life event where we raised over 17 thousand dollars for the American Cancer Society! I was very active as a crew member in Love Your Melon and had the opportunity to deliver 100 beanies to children at Advocate Lutheran Children’s Hospital in Park Ridge, IL. I was awarded first chair in the CUW Symphonic Wind Ensemble and played shows for our annual band tour on the Hawaiian island of Oahu! We played for elementary schools and churches, but the biggest honor was performing at Pearl Harbor on the USS Missouri battleship with members of the United States Marine Band. It was a moment I will never forget, and I can easily thank Monticello for my musical instruction under Mr. Mike Korth for establishing my passion for music post-grad. I also worked part-time in our school’s library and had a position at the American Cancer Society with the Kohl’s Healthy Families Initiative, where we attended events in the greater Milwaukee area to promote healthy living through cancer screening and prevention.

All year I worked towards my application for the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Radiation Oncology Therapy Program. After a grueling application and interview process, I was offered a seat in the Class of 2019! I am now a student in the program at UW-L and my life practically revolves around Radiation Oncology. I am part of the RT-Club on campus as well, where we mentor undergraduate students who are applying to the program and volunteer with cancer patients at Rochester’s Hope Lodge and Gunderson Hospital. On top of all of my schooling, I work part-time as a CNA in home-care and memory-care facilities. It’s a lot of work, but I am so fortunate to have the means and home-town support to chase my goals and work towards my dream job working with cancer patients.

Alyssah Kubly, Class of 2015

I am very appreciative and thankful to be given the opportunity to apply and receive this generous scholarship! I am currently a Junior at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and recently got accepted into the Nursing program and will start in the spring! I am working part-time at the resident hall on campus as well as working weekends at a local nursing home in Milwaukee as a Certified Nursing Assistant. I am also currently a volunteer at the Monroe Clinic in inpatient services as well as the physical therapy department. My goal is to finish nursing school in two years, work as a trauma nurse, and work my way up in the nursing field to be a flight nurse. I am very excited to start my journey towards my goal in the spring. This summer I am hoping to obtain an internship in nursing to build up my application for jobs post-graduation. I am currently involved in intramural basketball and volleyball, and recently ended my volleyball career with the UW-Milwaukee Women’s Club Volleyball team due to the workload I will be obtaining with nursing school. I cannot thank the teaching/administrative staff, the community members, as well as my family for all their support and guidance to make me who I am and guiding me to where I am today! I would also like to give a huge thanks again to the Monticello Foundation for giving me and others their extra support by rewarding us with the generous scholarship. I will continue to support the Monticello community to the best of my ability and make them and my family proud.

Jordan Garrison, Class of 2015

Thank you to the Monticello Foundation for selecting me as a recipient for the Monticello Foundation Scholarship. I am very grateful for the continuous support of the Monticello community on supporting me to pursue my Bachelor’s Degree. I am currently a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and am studying Elementary Education with a minor in Special Education. In the spring, I was admitted to the College of Education, which is one step closer to my goal of becoming a teacher. I am anticipating to graduate in December 2019. After I graduate, my goal is to come back to a small school and teach. Along with going to school, I work three part-time jobs. I work at the UWW Children Center in Whitewater, The Police Service/University Housing Desk in Whitewater, and Little Learners in Monticello. I also participate in intramural volleyball and softball in my spare time. In the summer time, I come back to Monticello and coach T-Ball and the Senior League Softball Team. Thank you again to the Monticello Foundation Scholarship and community for their generous support to help me continue my education.

Emily Koch, Class of 2016

At the end of last year, I was elected Hall Council Vice President for my dorm Governors Hall for the 2017-2018 school year. The major job responsibilities of this are leading my subcommittee that plans all the hall events. So far this year I have planned a Halloween party, a cookie decorating/karaoke event, and a de-stress breakfast in the basement of our dorm. I am also leading an event in the dorm called “Govs Gives Back”. Govs Gives Back is basically a competition between every wing in the hall to see who can donate the most items for a homeless shelter in Eau Claire. I’m also a part of the dining committee on campus that brings concerns of the student body related to the food served on campus, to the suppliers of our food. In addition to that I am a member of the Campus Affairs Commission through Student Senate, which supervises all of the campus organizations to make sure they are following university policy. On top of all of this work through school I also work part-time at the Super Target in Eau Claire in the apparel department. My favorite part of the school year so far has been going into an elementary school in Eau Claire and helping out in their special education department and getting to know the kids there for one of my classes.

Logan Marty, Class of 2016

Thank you to the Monticello Foundation for awarding me with a scholarship this year. The Foundation and the Monticello community have been extremely supportive of me in school and out of it. I am very grateful for that support. Currently I am in my sophomore year at UW-Whitewater where I am studying Business Management with a Sports Management emphasis. Outside of class, this fall I worked for the university football team as an equipment manager and used this opportunity to get my foot in the door with the program. That job will hopefully lead to a more involved role and eventually a career opportunity for me. While classes and football take up most of my time on and off of campus, I make sure to take advantage of the different options available to me in Whitewater. That involves playing intramural basketball, flag football, or any of the other intramural leagues available. I also like to use the weight room on campus or go to the university center to get a bite to eat or go bowling. While most of my time is spent in Whitewater, I do my best to come back home to Monticello. When I’m home I do my best to support the people who have supported me, which means I go to sports games, especially basketball games and help out at practices, and I also catch up with former classmates and teachers. Plus, a home cooked meal is always a positive. Thank you again to the Monticello Foundation for the continued support, and thank you to the Monticello community for proving that Monticello will always be home for me.

Kallista Baebler, Class of 2016

My name is Kallista Baebler and I am currently a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, majoring in Business Administration with a double emphasis in Marketing and Finance. This year I am keeping myself busy between classes, working in the Dean of Students Office on Campus, and being involved in student organizations. One of the things that was important to me in high school was staying involved, and I am happy to say that I have continued at Green Bay. This year I am the Executive Communications Director (ECD) for the Residence Hall and Apartment Association (RHAA), which is an organization similar to a student government but the main focus is the housing on campus. My position is similar to a secretary mixed with a public relations role. I also decided to get involved in the Student Government Association (SGA) this year. I am currently the Chair of Union and Dining. For this position, I am a means of communication between the student body and faculty members, most importantly the Director of our University Union. I also attend the weekly meetings of the Green Bandana Brigade (GBB) and help them cheer on our sports teams at home games. The GBB is the official student section at Green Bay and we also help promote school spirit. The last thing that I got involved with this year is helping at UWGB Nites. UWGB Nites provides students with a fun filled night once a month where everything is free, all students have to do is show up and enjoy all of the activities that are provided. I have had some great experiences at Green Bay and I am looking forward to many more while I finish my degree.

Lucas Marty, Class of 2014

Thank you to the Monticello Foundation for selecting me to receive one of their scholarships this year. The support that I have received from the Monticello Foundation and the entire Monticello community has been tremendous and I truly appreciate all of the support. I am currently in my last semester at UW-Madison studying Personal Finance. I am also in the business school to pursue a certificate in Business, which acts as my minor. I will be graduating a semester early this December and will join my brother, Jeff, at Wealth Distribution Strategies in Verona where I will join the team as a Financial Advisor. I’m usually pretty busy with schoolwork, but I do find time to enjoy everything that Madison has to offer. Among my favorite things to do is cheer on the Badgers during football, basketball, and hockey games as well as play intramural basketball, volleyball, and softball. I am involved in two clubs, one is the Patriot Project, which is a student organization that helps raise funds and awareness for veterans, and the other is the Society of Personal Investments, which is a great club to help me gain experience and knowledge before becoming an advisor after school. I work two jobs in addition to maintaining a full course load of classes. On campus, I work as a class checker for the athletic department and I also work with Jeff a few days a week as well. I am really enjoying my time here at Madison, but I do miss being around the Monticello community so I enjoy seeing old friends and catching up with teachers when I am home on the weekend and I can’t wait to graduate and come back to contribute to the great community of Monticello. Thanks again for the tremendous support, it is greatly appreciated!

In other news, the annual meeting of the Monticello Foundation was held and Elmer Lemon, Jean McMannes and Melody Flesher were re-elected to the board for additional 3-year terms. Also re-elected were the following officers: Elmer Lemon, President; Linn Lederman, Vice President; Jean McMannes, Secretary, and Carol Kubly, Treasurer. They join board members JoAnn Cruse, Ronda Buchholz, Keith Hoesly, David Quade and Melody Flesher.

Recent donations have been made by Nancy Aquino, Thomas and Joanne Marty, and Philip and Sharon Knobel in memory of Judith Hoesly; Nancy Aquino in memory of Bryon Riese; Jim and Lisa Ritschard in memory of Karen Roe; Deppeler Family Trust; Monticello High School Class of 1967 in memory of classmates Carla Crooks Fuller and Barb Anderson Unke; Juanita Hefty; David Baker; Family of Byrdene Baker in her memory; Ralph Pederson; Rolland Taylor; Jim and Lisa Ritschard, Bonnie Seeholzer, Rosemary Avery and family of Carol Marty in memory of Carol Marty; Sarah Silver Story; Linn Lederman, Elmer Lemon and David Quade. There’s still time to make your tax-deductible donations for 2017! Donations may be given to any director or mailed to PO Box 636, Monticello, WI 53570. Thank you for your support!