Post Messenger Recorder -

The Board of Directors of The Monticello Foundation, Inc. met November 18th and voted to award six scholarships in the amount of $2,500 each to Monticello alumni currently in college. Congratulations to these deserving students: Sarah Blumer, Miah Brokopp Claire Klossner, Courtney Leuzinger, Cassie Schenkel, and Hannah Zanow. This brings the total amount of scholarships awarded in 2021 to $30,600, and the total amount awarded since 1995 to $507,250! Thanks to those 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!

Courtney Leuzinger

Class of 2015

I want to say ‘Thank-you’ to the Monticello Foundation for selecting me to receive this award. I am teaching 1st grade at Our Lady Queen of Peace School located in Madison, WI. This is my second year teaching and I absolutely love it! Last year I was ranked in the Top 10 amazing educators in the ‘Catholic Financial Life’s Give Back Contest’. I have a class of 25 students for the 2021-2022 school year who are all great students, kids and friends. I decided last year that I wanted to attend school again to further my education. In 2020, I was accepted into the graduate program at Edgewood College. I am working towards my Master’s Degree in Education with concentrations in Special Education and English as a Second Language (ESL). For my future goal, I would like to get my Ed.D (Doctor of Education) to become an administrator, superintendent, or professor. I have so much more to learn and enjoy being in any classroom, whether it’s as a teacher or a student. Thank you again to the Monticello Foundation for this scholarship, it is greatly appreciated. Go Ponies!

Claire Klossner

Class of 2019

I am grateful for the opportunity to apply and receive this scholarship. I am currently a junior nursing student at Viterbo University, and will also be minoring in Spanish. This semester I had an opportunity to complete my medical surgical clinical at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where I was placed on an orthopedic and trauma floor. On this floor I was taking care of patients that just received new joints or had spinal surgeries. This was a great experience and I cannot wait to go back there for my pediatric and maternal rotations in the spring. Along with being a busy nursing student, I am also involved in Spanish Club and the Viterbo Student Nurse Association, both allow me to volunteer out in the community. I have been active in different intramural sports such as volleyball and basketball. Also, I am a tutor for some of the courses I have already taken. During my breaks from school, I work at The New Glarus Home as a nursing assistant. My goals are to finish nursing school and obtain my Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a Minor in Spanish. After that I am not sure which specialty interests me the most, I am still exploring through my clinicals. I cannot thank the community members, teaching staff, and administrative staff, as well as my family who have guided and supported me to become the person I am today! I would like to thank the Monticello Foundation for giving extra support to me and others by rewarding this generous scholarship. I will continue to work hard and make the community proud!

Hannah Zanow

Class of 2019

First off, I am honored and beyond grateful to be a recipient of the Monticello Foundation Scholarship. I cannot thank the Monticello Foundation enough for their support and dedication that allows students and alumni to pursue our goals and aspirations. I am currently a junior attending the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and will be double majoring in Marketing and General Management, with a minor in Spanish. Throughout my time at UW-Whitewater, I have been fortunate enough to be involved with multiple organizations that give back to the community, as well as develop my leadership and business skills. Specifically, this past year and current semester I was able to hold the position of Vice President of Marketing and Communication for UW-Whitewater Enactus. Enactus is a social entrepreneurship organization that focuses on people, planet, and prosperity. This past year my Enactus team and I were able to work on the Aadya Initiative, previously known as Shakti. Within this Initiative, we had the opportunity to create a sustainable business model that empowers and trains young women in India to become eye screeners. These young women then go into rural communities in India, and give screenings, dispense eyeglasses, and make referrals for eye surgery to those in need. Over the two phases of testing our business model for Aadya, 15,999 screenings were conducted, 386 glasses were dispensed, and 1,947 referrals were made in total. We were also recognized for this achievement at the 2021 Enactus National Exposition and won the National Championship, which is the first time in school history at UW-Whitewater. In addition, this had given my team and I the chance to represent Enactus USA and compete at the Enactus World Cup against 34 other countries that have developed sustainable projects to better the world. Through this position and organization, I have been able to meet amazing and selfless individuals, who constantly give back to others. The Monticello community and Whitewater community have made me realize how important social impact is to me. I now know that whichever career path I choose, my personal mission is to ensure that the future of business focuses on building relationships within societies that drive the creation of innovative, helpful ideas to the better the world.

Sarah Blumer

Class of 2020

Hello! My name is Sarah Blumer and I am currently a sophomore at Oklahoma State University. I am double majoring in International Business and Finance, with a minor in Spanish. My school has a special code that embodies the values at Oklahoma State University. One of the values is, “Being a Cowboy isn’t in our clothes, it’s in our character.” During my time so far in Stillwater, I have tried to live up to this ideal. I am currently serving as an Oklahoma State Diamond Doll. As a Diamond Doll, my role is to be a liaison between the baseball team and the cowboy community. We work on marketing and community outreach. I have also been working at the University’s Recreational Center as a Facility Supervisor. My roles include ensuring that all patrons and employees are safe and that the facility is running smoothly. Additionally, throughout my first year as a Cowboy, I have earned a 4.0 GPA and have made the President’s Honor Roll. I am very thankful to the Monticello Foundation for selecting me as a recipient of this prestigious award. Go Pokes!

Miah Brokopp

Class of 2020

I am incredibly grateful to have been selected as one of the recipients for the Monticello Foundation Scholarship. I am currently finishing up my general classes through Blackhawk Technical College. I have achieved academic success by making the President’s List at Blackhawk Technical College for the past three semesters. In January, I will be furthering my nursing career journey at Saint Anthony College of Nursing in Rockford, IL. I am looking forward to being 100% in person and being hands-on in clinicals and labs. I have goals to have high honors and learn to be a nurse that positively affects rural communities like the one I have grown up in. I have worked at the New Glarus Home as a certified nursing assistant for three years. I was fortunate enough to be promoted to a new position towards the beginning of the pandemic and am still loving the mixture of nursing and administration. My new position title is “Infection Control Assistant.” I work directly under the Infection Control Nurse doing all of the COVID-19 testing, while also doing some administrative work. I enjoy this new position because I am still able to help the residents but also work more with staff members to make the New Glarus Home a safe and healthy place! This position has helped me grow immensely in my communication, teamwork, and organizational skills. I’m fortunate to have found a good balance of academics and practical application during my first two years of college. Lastly, I have also stayed active within the Monticello community. For the past couple of summers I have been fortunate enough to be an elementary softball coach. I also was able to coach middle school girls basketball this fall. Thank you so much to the Monticello Foundation and the community for all of their continued support of my education. I am extremely grateful to have grown up in such an amazing community.

Cassondra Schenkel

Class of 2020

I am extremely grateful to have been selected as one of the recipients of this scholarship and for having continuous support thanks to the generous Monticello community. I am currently enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Management and I am on the path to graduate a semester early! Here at UW-Whitewater, I am involved in clubs and organizations, many of which are volunteer-based. The organization I am most active in is called UWW Empower, where I serve on the Executive Board as the Commencement Coordinator. UWW Empower is an organization dedicated to community service, both on and off-campus, and devoted to creating a better local and global society through volunteer work. I am so fortunate to be a part of such a rewarding organization. When I am not in school and on breaks, I work part-time at a small store in Monroe, Wisconsin, as a Customer Service Representative. After graduation, I plan to stay local and hold the title of a Human Resources Specialist. Lastly, I would like to give a huge thank you to the Monticello Foundation for the ongoing support and opportunities. I am so fortunate to be a part of a community that is so passionate about student prosperity and success!

Over the past year, donations to the Monticello Foundation have been received from Marianne Lederman, John and Stephanie Beckwith, Ron and Judith Holcomb, Patty Blumer, Michael Klassy, Nancy Karlen, Janet Jones, Robert and Donna Durtschi, Jennelle Gierhart-Sutter, Robin Reuter, Richard Smith, Paul and Sue Rieder, Gordon and Carol Schultz, Becky and Phil Clark, Scott Kubly, Joyce and Larry Hummel, Ron and Jenny Blumer, Brian Rufener, Alan and Yvonne DeVoe, Mary Baker, Dave and Kris Lenz, Judy Crooks, Kathleen Gierhart, LaVonne Hawking, and RBS Activewear, Inc., and Voegeli Chevrolet. Additional donations from Jim and Lisa Ritschard, Roger and Karen Brugger, Nancy Aquino, Robert Drafahl, Cindy Allen, Harriet Wells, Robert and Donna Durtschi, Carol Kubly, JoAnn Cruse, Lois Hopkins, Rosemary Avery, May Burgy, David Quade, Melody Flesher, and the Class of 1965 were received in memory of Karen Kubly Hogan, Marty Babler, Mary Strause, Antonio Vieira da Rocha, Ruth Wittenwyler, Bonnie Seeholzer, Jeanette Broge, Marge Buchholz, Jim Lemon, Mike Wahl, Jesse Ripple, Junior Robertston, LaVonne Disch Schneeberger, and Mary Huntley. Many thanks to supporters who donated to the annual golf outing fundraiser that was postponed to September.

By the way, there is still time to make your tax-deductible donations for 2021! If you were a recipient (or parent, relative or friend) of a previous scholarship, or are a past alumni or a community member who truly believes in the importance of continuing education, please consider a donation of any amount. Donations may be given to any Director or mailed to: PO Box 636, Monticello, WI 53570. Thank you for your generous support!

Monticello Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors

L. Linn Lederman, President; David Quade, Vice President; JoAnn Cruse, Secretary; Carol Casey Kubly, Treasurer; Keith Hoesly; Ronda Buchholz; Jean McMannes; Michael Aquino; Jane Lemon Tereba.