Monticello Foundation Awards Scholarships

Submitted by admin on Tue, 11/20/2018 - 2:36pm

The Monticello Foundation, Inc. recently awarded 18 scholarships in the amount of $2,000 each to the following Monticello High School graduates: Alex Henning, Emma Fenner, Ashley Risley, Kallista Baebler, Brittany Disch, Jordan Garrison, Emily Koch, Mackenzie Zanow, Courtney Leuzinger, Alyssah Kubly, Madalyn Holtz, Christian Wahl, Samantha DeVoe, Lauren Schilder, Emilie Gietzel, Megan Lehr, Kathleen Gierhart and Jessie Garrison. Since 1995, The Monticello Foundation has awarded $381,750 in scholarships to Monticello High School graduates. Scholarships are awarded from the interest earned in the Foundation’s portfolio, which is funded from community donations and the Annual Foundation Golf Outing. We are very proud of these students. Here is a little information about each one:

Christian Wahl, Class of 2015
My name is Christian Wahl, and I am currently attending 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 Vice President of the Forensic Science Association for the second year and the President and Founder of the Student Association of Smiles and Happiness (SASH) for the second year as well. I also work at the Marian University Writing Assistance Center, the Marian University Science Assistance 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 Delta Epsilon (DDE), along with the North American Forensic Entomology Association (NAFEA). I cannot believe that I am senior already, and cannot wait to continue on with my Master’s in Entomology next year. I do not know where I am going yet, but I will make sure to keep everyone updated on where the next part of my adventure will be taking place. I miss everyone in Monticello, and I would not be where I am today without all of the support I have received from all of you. Thank you so much for the Monticello Foundation Scholarship. I highly appreciate the help from my hometown, where it seems far away, but Monticello will always have a place in my heart.

Emma Fenner, Class of 2009
My name is Emma Fenner, a 2009 graduate of Monticello High School. I would like to start off by saying thank you to the Monticello Foundation and the entire Monticello community. Without the solid educational start I got at Monticello Schools, I probably would not be where I am today.
I am currently in my fourth and final year of medical school at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. After spending the last year on clinical rotations, spending time in each of the medical specialties, I have decided to pursue a career as a psychiatrist. I am currently applying to psychiatry residency programs, which will be four years of additional training. This fall and winter will be spent traveling all over the country to interview, from Charleston, South Carolina, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Minneapolis. It will be an exciting but somewhat nerve-wracking few months as I wait until Match Day on March 15th, where every fourth year medical student in the country opens an envelope to find out where they will be doing their residency training. No matter where I end up, I’ll always remember Monticello and be grateful of the opportunities it provided to me.
Thank you again for selecting me as a Monticello Foundation Scholarship recipient.

Brittany Disch, Class of 2017
I am currently a Sophomore at UW-Platteville, where I am pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Agribusiness and a minor in Animal Science. I have many different experiences and interests that it is hard to discover the career path I would like pursue. I am currently on the Platteville Equestrian Team. I thank you for the generous scholarship that will help to pay for furthering my education at UW-Platteville.

Alex Henning, Class of 2012
Hello! My name is Alex Henning; I am a 2012 graduate of Monticello High School and the son of Andrew and Connie Henning. After graduation from MHS, I attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison. I graduated in 2016 with a double major in Legal Studies and Sociology and a Certificate in Criminal Justice. I am currently in my second year (of three) at Cornell Law School in Ithaca, NY. I am a familiar face within the Cornell Law community, taking on leadership roles in extracurricular organizations and volunteering for school initiatives. I am the President of Lambda Law Association, the LGBTQIA+ affinity group. In this position, I advocate for LGBT rights and raise awareness of current legal issues. So far this year, I organized a talk by Judge Pamela Chen, a LGBTQIA+ identifying federal judge from the Eastern District of New York, and over 100 students attended. Lambda also lead a voter registration drive in preparation for the 2018 midterm elections (side note: Wisconsin allows same-day voter registration, so make sure you vote on November 6th!!). Additionally, I am also an active member in the American Constitution Society and the National Lawyers Guild; both are progressive organizations that advocate for and defend our Constitutional Freedoms.
Outside of school, I’ve become increasingly interested in the technology industry. This past summer, I was a legal intern for the Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) in Washington, D.C., where I advocated for more reliable internet connections and increased speeds in rural America. Next summer, I will be in Silicon Valley, California, as a Summer Associate at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati (WSGR). WSGR is a law firm that provides legal services to technology, life science, and emerging growth companies.
I would like to thank the Monticello Foundation for their continued financial support as I pursue my goals through higher education. In addition, I would like to thank the Monticello community for your support as well. The world of higher education is one that favors those in urban areas with money and a long family history of educational attainment. As a first-generation college student from Monticello, it is not uncommon that I feel out of place or like an imposter while sitting in an Ivy League classroom. It’s your support and encouragement that has helped me realize that not only do I belong, but we, as a community, have a unique worldview and our perspective needs to be shared. It’s with this realization that I encourage the current students of Monticello to pursue your dreams and not let preconceived ideas surrounding your identity, background, or upbringing define you. We too deserve a seat at the table.

Alyssah Kubly, Class of 2015
I am extremely grateful to be receiving this scholarship and given the opportunity to apply! I am currently a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and attending the Nursing Program. My clinical rotations this year are composed of a medical/surgical floor, cardiac unit, and public health. My passion for sports has not changed as I am still active in working out, intramural basketball, and intramural volleyball. Nursing school is like having a full-time job, but I do squeeze in some time to work at the Monroe Clinic on some weekends as a Nursing Assistant on the inpatient unit as well as working on campus at the dorms at the processing and receiving center between classes. My goals are to finish nursing school and obtain my Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. After that I have always found an interest in trauma and eventually obtain my flight nurse certification but recently had an interest in travel nursing as well as an oncology nursing. I am very excited to start my career as a nurse because these semesters are going by very fast and I’ll be done with school before I know it! I 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 today! I would also like to give a huge appreciation to the Monticello Foundation for giving me and others their extra support by rewarding us with the generous scholarship. I will continue to work hard and make my family and the community proud!

Mackenzie Zanow, Class of 2015
I first want to say that I am honored to be a recipient of the Monticello Foundation Scholarship. I cannot thank the Monticello Foundation enough for their dedication to the students and alumni of the Monticello community-it is organizations like these that give students the invaluable opportunity to pursue their dreams. I have recently entered my fourth and final year at UW-Madison and will be double majoring in Psychology and English, with a certificate in Leadership. I am fortunate enough to have continued my community involvement while transitioning from high school to college. This past summer I was selected by one of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit nurses at the American Family Children’s Hospital to have the opportunity to transfer into the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit as a weekly volunteer. I am also the Co-President of the American Medical Women’s Association and work with women on campus to empower and support them in their journey to the healthcare field. I am a member of the Brain Injury Alliance and Big Ten Leadership Network and have attended various leadership conferences, the most recent being the Wisconsin Experience Bus Trip. This trip allowed me to network with community and student leaders across the state of Wisconsin for a week in May. If I’m not going to class or being involved with extra-curriculars, you can find me working for one of my four campus jobs. I am going on my third year with UW-Athletics and am a Guest Services representative and tour staff member. I recently started an internship with Wisconsin Football as a recruitment communications specialist. I also work for the Psychology Department on campus as an exam proctor and note taker. Through these positions, I have been opened up to new opportunities and have realized that athletics will take up a big part of my future. I hope to eventually pave the way for women to get involved with recruitment, administration, and athletic psychology at the professional sports level in the near future.

Madalyn Holtz, Class of 2017
I’m Madalyn Holtz and I am currently a sophomore attending the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, majoring in Kinesiology. This past summer, the University gave me the opportunity, earlier than most, to apply for my Kinesiology major with a focus on an emphasis in Exercise & Fitness, and I am proud to say I was accepted! I am truly grateful I was given the chance to apply early and succeeded. With that being said, I am really challenging myself by focusing on the more demanding core courses for Kinesiology both this fall semester and upcoming spring semester. The Oshkosh campus has opened so many new doors and opportunities in which I am very thankful, along with what the campus offers me, allowing me to grow! I plan to graduate with my degree in Kinesiology, primarily focused in Exercise & Fitness, with hopes of becoming a Health Coach or work in Corporate Wellness. Genuinely, I would like to thank Monticello Public Schools for everything they have offered me from guidance, great teaching, and for always encouraging me to push myself! I am proud to say I graduated from Monticello Public School and will continue to embrace my roots!

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 pursing my college degree. I’m currently a senior at Iowa State University, majoring in Animal Science and minoring in Spanish, and will be graduating in May 2019. 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, President of the Dairy Science Club. 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 with Phibro Animal Health as a Nutritional Specialties Intern and am currently looking at full-time with them, along with other animal health and nutrition companies.
Even with all my extracurricular activities, I work two jobs and have managed to be on the Dean’s List every semester. I continue to work at the Iowa State Dairy Teaching Farm doing nutrition research and also work with the Lectures Program at the Memorial Union. I have made lifelong friends and feel unbelievably appreciative for the opportunities and memories that I have made here at Iowa State University, and it is for sure my second home.
Thank you again to the Monticello Foundation Scholarship and community for the continual support to make this all possible. I am always trying to make my family and community proud, thank you so much!

Emily Koch, Class of 2016
I first want to start off by thanking the Monticello Foundation for their continued support in my pursuit of a college education. This year will be a crazy busy one for me, as I currently am a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. I am a double major in Specific Learning Disabilities and Elementary Education, with hopes of adding an Emotional Behavioral Disorders certificate onto my degree. Outside of academics, I am serving in the 62nd session of our Student Senate as an Off-Campus Senator. Through this I was able to be appointed to the Advisory Committee on Accessibility Issues for Persons with Disabilities, so I can begin to advocate for students with disabilities. As senators, we also have the ability to pass legislation as a representation of the student body. Last semester I was accepted into the Special Education program and this semester I am anxiously awaiting to hear I will also be accepted into the Elementary Education program as well. Next semester, I am taking my Special Education “block” semester, which involves working within the schools five days a week to gain even more experience. I am very excited for all that the future holds and thank you again to the Monticello Foundation!

Courtney Leuzinger, Class of 2015
I would like to thank the Monticello Foundation Scholarship committee for selecting me to receive the scholarship again this year! With this money it will help me tremendously with rent, gas, books, and much more!
I am in my senior year at Edgewood College in Madison, WI, and I am majoring in Elementary Education. I am in my last year in the classrooms at Edgewood, and I will be student teaching in the fall of 2019. Right now, I am a practicum student at Horizon Elementary in Sun Prairie, WI, for a 4th grade classroom. This practicum focuses on literacy and I am learning new techniques on how to teach reading and writing.
Along with classes and studying, I nanny for two amazing families on Tuesdays-Sundays. From taking the kids to practices to helping them do homework, I’m always busy and I wouldn’t have it any other way! With everything going on, I’m proud of myself to be on the Honor Roll or the Dean’s List every semester.
Again, thank you for selecting me as a recipient of the Monticello Foundation Scholarship! Go Ponies!

Megan Lehr, Class of 2017
I am a sophomore majoring in Agricultural Business Management at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. As an undergraduate, I have achieved academic success by becoming a Renk Scholar, a Wisconsin Academic Excellence Scholar, and by making the UW-Madison Dean’s List. On campus, I actively continue my passion for leadership and volunteering through club involvement. During my first semester at UW, I joined the Association of Women in Agriculture (AWA) and the Agricultural Business Management Club, both of which I am still involved in and continue to expand my professional network. Throughout my membership, I have had the opportunity to serve on the Sentinel Committee and currently serve on the Sunshine Committee. Additionally, I have volunteered in numerous activities, some of my favorites being Rally to Fight Hunger, the American Red Cross Blood Drive, and Swish Upon a Cure.
After graduation, I plan to utilize my education and background to bridge the gap between producers and consumers. Currently, I am interested in finance and marketing/sales as a possible career. As a proud graduate of Monticello High School, I am honored to be a recipient of the Monticello Foundation Scholarship and grateful for their continued support of my education. I am so fortunate to receive immense support from such a great community.

More Student Information Will Be Published in an Upcoming Edition of the Post Messenger Recorder

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Monticello Foundation Awards Scholarships