Kenosha Reporter

KENOSHA-- The Mayor’s Youth Commission created an awards program to recognize the community’s youth for their outstanding personal achievements and the important, positive contributions they make to the Kenosha community. Nomination forms can be obtained in the Mayor’s Office, Room 300, in the Municipal Building, or on the internet at www.kenosha.org under the tab Mayor/Administration. 

For the fourth nomination period of the 2022-23 school year, sixteen students met the criteria to be presented with an award. These students were: 

Liliana Andrews: Liliana is an eighth grade student at The Brompton School, nominated by Nichole Hack. She is a member of the Transition Coaches, which is a group of eighth grade students who mentor sixth grade students. She creates and leads activities with the students to help them become better leaders. Along with creating and teaching individual lessons to the sixth grade, Liliana helps to coordinate and host the middle school socials. She is a leader at directing students to set up, clean up and is great at creating activities during the socials. Liliana goes out of her way to make sure that every person feels special. She will take time to decorate lockers for birthdays, celebrate the teachers, give compliments, and if she sees another student struggling, Liliana will check in with them and cheer them up. Liliana makes sure to do all of this while keeping high grades. Outside of school, Liliana is also involved with extra-curricular activities such as horseback riding and cheerleading. Liliana continues to impress with her selfless and friendly attitude that she demonstrates every day while being a strong leader. 

Sarah Bailey: Sarah is a third grade student at Frank Elementary School, nominated by Julie Neumaier. Sarah is a character leader of respect, craftsmanship, empathy, self-discipline, and trustworthiness. Sarah has embraced a growth mindset and often encourages her classmates to believe the same. Sarah has made incredible growth both academically and socially, with the ability to retain learning and use of “college words” in context on a regular basis. 

Ryan John Edwards: Ryan is a senior at Indian Trail High School, nominated by Dr. Tina Peterson. Ryan has put forth his best efforts in all his endeavors, whether it be academics, sports, or community service. He has accomplished his academic goals by pursuing advanced placement classes, as well as college credit courses in high school. Ryan will be graduating Magna Cum Laude and attending the University of Wisconsin Madison in the Fall to pursue a degree in Nursing and a minor in Biology. Ryan was a member of the JV/Varsity Volleyball Team, JV/Varsity Baseball team, and Varsity Golf. Through the years, in sports, Ryan has shown dedication to his teams and his coaches. Ryan was also a member of the following clubs: National Honor Society, High School Honors Band, and the Jazz Band. Within the community Ryan has 122 hours of service from 2019-2023. The accomplishments and awards he has received through his four years in high school have demonstrated his successes as a student and his commitment to achieving his goals. 

Isabella (Izzy) Foltz: Isabella is an eighth grade student at Lance Middle School. Izzy continually completes top quality work, shows integrity, and demonstrates leadership qualities. Izzy participates at high levels in and out of the classroom and is a member of various teams and organizations. Izzy also won the National Junior Honor Society Outstanding Achievement Award. Izzy continually shines as a leader. 

Emily Fonk: Emily is an eighth grade student at Lance Middle School, nominated by Sue Murray. Emily is a model student. She works hard and is always willing to help others. Emily has an honors course load and has been on the honor roll each quarter. She is the National Junior Honor Society Secretary and made a commitment to complete 100 hours of service this year. Additionally, she sought out to volunteer in the Lance ID room, helping those with special needs. She is on the Lance track & field team and is a member of the Student Council. She plays the violin and is a member of the Chamber Orchestra. Emily leads by example; dedicates herself to service for others, and has a work ethic which is beyond amazing. Isabella Gentz: Isabella is a senior at Tremper High School, nominated by Samantha Rodriguez. Isabella has been very involved in youth apprenticeship at Tremper. She has also participated in tennis and student government. Isabella has taken challenging classes throughout high school, achieving excellent grades. Isabella is a very kind, respectful, bright, and high-achieving student who will do well as she pursues her college education. 

Jenna Gyger: Jenna is in eleventh grade at Indian Trail High School and Academy, nominated by Daryl A. Strait. Jenna is a thoroughly driven student who makes every lesson and assignment meaningful. She is an exemplary learner, a good person, and an informed citizen whose humble approach to every discussion transforms the diverse perspectives of those around her into new knowledge. Jenna is a mature thinker and holds a lot of compassion for her peers. Jenna is also an intern veterinarian at Kenosha Veterinary Clinic. Jenna has an unquenchable desire to understand the needs and ideas of those around her, which will serve her well beyond the classroom. 

Garrett Haber: Garrett is a fifth grader at Nash Elementary School, nominated by Lacy Dusak. Garrett volunteers for safety patrol each day at school to help keep students safe. Garrett also volunteers his time each day at school being a “buddy” to a second grade student. During this “buddy” time Garrett has made this second grader feel like he has a best friend, someone that believes in him, and someone to look up too. Garrett comes to school with a smile on his face ready to make the day a great learning day for himself and everyone he encounters. 

Mia Hunt: Mia is in second grade at Roosevelt Elementary, nominated by Mary Williams. From the beginning of the year, Mia went above and beyond to welcome a new student. She would greet him in line each day, offer to walk inside with him, ask if she could sit in his group, and would quietly prompt him if he needed help. Mia also is quick to offer to help other students and gives quiet encouragement to her peers. Mia also has a brother in kindergarten and always checks in to make sure that he is happy and doing okay. Mia cares about both her family and school community, she embodies the spirit of what community should be about. She works in collaboration with others and genuinely enjoys helping others. 

Joseph Mendoza: Joseph is a senior at Tremper High School, nominated by Terri Hujik. Joe likes to learn and does not hesitate to take challenging classes like AP Literature and AP US History. Last summer he also had the opportunity to participate in the Humanities Citizenship Initiative in Ohio. This is a two week summer program at Columbia University where rising high school seniors reside in dorms at the university and read and discuss books chosen by a residing college professor. Joe has also taken classes through the Early College Credit program. This year philosophy was one of the classes that Joe enjoyed. Joe is also an athlete, playing on Tremper’s baseball team. Joe stands out as a lifetime learner who puts forth effort in everything he does. 

Pierce Pereira: Pierce is a senior at Lakeview Technology Academy, nominated by Kristi Koschkee. Pierce has a keen interest and talent in Math and Science, but is an excellent scholar in all of his courses, many of them advanced placement courses. He also tutors students in the “Students for Academic Success” program. Pierce is a member of the National Honor Society, an active Student Ambassador, as well as an officer for Lakeview’s Skills USA Chapter, and gives freely of his time to the community, both in and out of school. Pierce’s personal strengths are as impressive as his intellectual accomplishments. He is always learning and growing as a learner, he strives to do his best, which will continue to serve him well in college and beyond. 

Lily Elizabeth Peterson: Lily is a college freshman at Baylor University, a former Indian Trail(ITHSA) student, nominated by Sue Kuryanowicz. While in high school, Lily took on several leadership roles as well as being involved in multiple competitions, events, etc. She served as the ITHSA Vice President for both Student Council and Senior Class, as well as being an active member of the school’s National Honor Society chapter, a Link Crew/freshman orientation leader, a captain of the school’s track team, and a member of the school’s varsity tennis team. She was among the top five in her graduating class, regularly participated in community service throughout high school, and has maintained a 3.97 GPA throughout her entire freshman year of college. Since leaving high school, she has become an executive board member of Baylor University’s Society of Women’s Engineers, she has become a member of the school’s club tennis team and will be pursuing a master’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Lily’s continuous service, to her high school, her college, and her community, demonstrates her constant drive to serve those around her and improve the lives of others as much as possible. 

Lucy Salmon: Lucy is an eighth grade student at Lance Middle School, nominated by Katie Vitkus. Lucy is an exemplary student. She has maintained at 4.0 GPA in middle school while working a year ahead in math curriculum. She shows leadership, serving as Vice President in National Junior Honor Society and made it a personal goal to complete 100 hours of community service this school year. Lucy played on the Lance basketball team and competes on the track and field team. 

Emily Slye: Emily is an eleventh grade student at Tremper, nomimated by Matt Kellner. Emily has thrived in academics, sports and community service. Emily has all A grades for her academic career. She is the captain of the girl’s soccer team at Tremper, which has won two State Cup Championships. Emily is also involved in Student Government and participates in various service projects that help the community. 

Lakyn Sebetic: Lakyn is a third grade student at Nash Elementary, nominated by Mari Enwright. Lakyn is an ambassador of Nash’s motto of kindness, respect and hard work. She is a leader in the learning environment. She volunteers to help with fellow students. She is a remarkable role model. 

Lesley Christensen: Lesley is a third grade student at Nash Elementary, nominated by Kim Schmitt. Lesley shows compassion with all of her classmates. She is the first to ask them if they need help, even before they ask. She is a true and reliable friend and her interactions are always gentle, sweet, and nurturing. Lesley is an excellent student who excels in all subjects. She works hard every day in school and meets all deadline. She has a bright future and will continue to be the sunshine in all of our lives. 

Original source can be found here.