One family's annual donation gives back what was received in Scholarship award

Austin, 1995

Austin Rios received the Brian LaViolette Scholarship in 1995 from DePere High School for the amount of $2,500.  His family graciously donates $100 every year to the Foundation on Brian's birthday. They have now given more than what was awarded to Austin 25 years ago.

After high school graduation, Austin attended Davidson College in North Carolina.  For the past 8 years, he has lived in Rome, Italy and is an Episcopal priest at St. Paul within the Walls.

Austin and Brian, 1992

Austin reflects on Brian and the time he received the scholarship 25 years ago... "I had the privileged to know Brian.  We moved from Texas to Wisconsin and it felt like a foreign country to me.  I felt alone and not sure if people would understand me. I remember sitting next to Brian in 8th grade and we instantly became friends. I could tell he was witty, and he was willing to ask questions others were not. And I found that really interesting and attractive.  It was a really wonderful friendship for me. He was my best friend. And in a time, I really needed a best friend.  He made me feel at home." 

"I was very honored to be one of the first recipients of the Brian LaViolette Scholarship.  Brian's friendship meant a lot to me and the scholarship was helpful in pursuing my undergraduate degree at Davidson.  Currently I am enjoying being a father, husband and Episcopal priest.   

I don't think anyone would have guessed that what started out as a single annual scholarship would grow large enough to offer both national and international awards. I am proud to be one of the now many recipients of this award and wish future recipients the best in pursuing their goals and dreams."  

Austin's wish is coming true through their thoughtful donation every year in honor of Brian.   

"To give back to the Foundation what was awarded to Austin is admirable.  It shows that it made a difference in his life and he wants to pay it forward," says Kim LaViolette Mosteller, executive Director of the Brian LaViolette Foundation.  "Their support is helping future recipients follow their educational dreams."

Get 2 the Point Podcast

Doug LaViolette

Photo by Nick DelCalzo

Cami Rapson of WBAY-TV 2 featured our very own Doug LaViolette on this 30- minute podcast, Get 2 the Point.  

It was released yesterday, which would have been Brian's 43rd birthday.  Doug shares more about Brian, the start of the Foundation and where the Foundation is today. You will also hear about one recipient who is making a difference.

You can find the podcast under Get 2 the Point or at this link here: www.wbay.com/podcast

"It just seems unimaginable that our boy is 43...I think it's hard for Renee and I to put our head around that. He's forever young." 

Doug has been able to witness what he calls "the good stuff", the impact Brian's foundation has on young people.

"It was our way of channeling our grief in part, so we could 'do good' in Brian's name. So he wasn't forgotten,"

Thank you to Cami and WBAY for providing this opportunity to share more about Brian and the Foundation.

Awarding Scholarships at St. Norbert College Scholarships since 1992

St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin has been the work of nurturing leaders, alumni, faculty, and friends for more than a century.  Since 1992, young men and women who are the brightest and best have had a chance to pursue their goals and dreams with the help of Brian’s Foundation. These awards are open to DePere High School graduates and are based on academic and extracurricular excellence.

This years recipients are Kelsey Keast and Grace Beno.

Kelsey is a senior studying sociology human services and psychology. This year, she has an internship at CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates, where she works directly with children who under the legal protection of the court system because they are deemed abused and/or neglected. After graduation, she plans to go to graduate school to get my Masters of Social Work, and eventually hope to work as an adoption social worker.

Grace is an art major and has three on-campus jobs. One is a TA position in the Art Center. Her favorite class is Printmaking. It is one of her favorite mediums of art because it works so well with illustration, which is her main passion and focus as an art student.

2019 Robert Foley Scholarship at West Point

Camm Johnson received this years' Robert Foley Scholarship of Honor at West Point. He is pictured with BG Buzzard who is presenting the Scholarship of Honor medal.

Camm took the semester off to assist his sister and family after their mother passed away from cancer. His father had also passed away from cancer earlier in Camm’s Cadet career. Camm truly represents the best that West Point has to offer. He “Lives Honorably, Leads Honorably and Demonstrates Excellence” in all that he has done here at West Point.

As a member of the USMA Class of 2019, he lives “Duty, Honor, Country” in all that he does and he there is no doubt that he will be a superb Engineer Officer.

LTC David , Camm Johnson, BG Buzzard

General Robert Foley, photo by Nick DelCalzo

United States Army Lieutenant General Robert Foley graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1963. He joined the infantry and went through Airborne and Ranger schools. By 1966, he was a twenty-five-year-old captain and company commander in the 27th Infantry in Vietnam. He earned the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Vietnam War on November 5, 1966. President Lyndon Johnson awarded it to General Foley on May 1, 1968.

He remained in the Army until 2000, attaining the rank of lieutenant general. He ended his thirty-seven-year military career as the commander of the Fifth Army, then became president of Marion Military Institute in Alabama, the nation’s oldest military preparatory school and junior college. General Foley continued to serve U.S. Army soldiers and their families as director of Army Emergency Relief, a private nonprofit organization with headquarters in Washington, D.C. until his recent retirement.

Vision, Purpose and Passion

By Craig and Karen Dickman

"When we learned more about the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation we saw vision, purpose and passion and knew, immediately, that it had the potential to make an impact on both lives and the community.

And when you consider the deep impact that the Foundation has had - on the lives of individuals through scholarships, on the quality of community through connections, and in the deep sense of pride and patriotism - you realize it has had a tremendous effect on an immeasurable amount of people.

We are proud of our connection to the Brian LaViolette Foundation and of how its impact has grown over the years.  We have been specifically inspired by the Scholarships of Honor and the recognition of those who have served and sacrificed by the Foundation.  We also have seen the Foundation establish unique connections to Green Bay, such as the Czech Republic that have extended Brian's legacy to have global impact

We believe that Brian's Foundation not only does good work but does it in a manner that makes you proud to be involved."

An Hour Well Spent by Tom Burgess

"Eighteen years ago I wrote a letter to Doug LaViolette after having spent one hour with him while in the process of purchasing office furniture. The encounter was brief, but I remember it having a profound impact on the rest of my day. 

I wanted to reach out directly to Doug and share with him what our conversation had meant to me and how impressed I was with the dedication and devotion of The Brian LaViolette Foundation. In fact those were two of the exact words I used to describe his work, "dedication and devotion." I went on to tell him "I commend you and your family to have the strength to create such wonderful contributions out of what seems senseless misfortune." 

It was an honest letter written to convey a sense of appreciation. The Brian LaViolette Foundation is a great platform for our community. 

Those closest to Brian, would tell you he was a soul beyond his years. Always writing and collecting inspirational messages, Brian once wrote down the phrase, "The journey is the reward" and it has since become the hallmark of the foundation. 

The Burgess family; Tom, Maddie, Ben, Emily and Kate, with puppies Beatrice and Honey

In reflecting on both Brian's words and my own personal experiences in the years since that afternoon conversation with Doug, it is remarkable to know how those words have had the power to impact my life.

There is an immediate sense of how one might think about the value of life and the importance of family and how quickly those things can change. My wife Kate and I were not yet parents when Brian died and now we have three children of our own, one of whom is set to begin her first year of college this fall. 

Then, several years ago while traveling through Rome, we were able to stop at a church where one of Brian's best friends at the time of his death had gone on to enter into the priesthood. It reminded us that regardless of where you are in the world, how we can maintain the ability to identify people who are part of our tribe, so to speak, and have remained connected by Brian's life.

My family's relationship with the LaViolette family has only grown in the years since I wrote that letter and I am moved by their passion to continue the words of their son and brother. 

It is particularly remarkable to me how well the phrase, "the journey is the reward" has been translated into action many times by the foundation. 

Kate and I have attended many gatherings in support of the foundation and have often spoke with others regarding its continuous impact on the lives of the youth and families in our community. 

Enough time has passed, that our own organization, Elevate97, has been blessed to employ the services of a former scholarship recipient. 

The strength of The Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation can be found in the heart of its values; it is truly an organization that allows people to develop their own abilities to succeed. Its ability to remain sustainable can be directly attributed to all the ways in which it continuously fosters new pathways for the community it serves. 

There is a deep sense of commitment within its leaders as it sets out to both create opportunity and cultivate new resources and services... the goals of the foundation will continue for years to come. 

Brian's story is one I will carry with me always because truly..."the journey is the reward"

What is in your heart? What is important to you?

By Scot Madson, Board of Director

"Whenever a person decides to get involved in a charitable organization, there are a number of questions that he or she ask of themselves. First of all, who deserves charity? Why be charitable? Who is going to benefit from this donation?

Answering these questions, everyone has to personally decide what is important to them and how important it is to others. In the past whenever I have been involved in a charitable organization, either as a donor or as a member of the organization requesting donations, I always seem to favor children over adults. Children cannot control the situation that they are in, where adults can.

In the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation, I found that the young adults who have received these scholarships, are not only very worthy, but the scholarships change their lives. The unfortunate tragic accident that took the life of Brian at a very young age, has turned out to be a tremendous benefit for many other young people. The inspiration that Brian LaViolette has been to other people has been phenomenal. The foundation awards scholarships in different denominations all over Northeastern Wisconsin and beyond.
We found that the scholarships change students' lives, as it gives them the opportunity to pursue a career in service whether it be a military service or service to others. What we would like to see is continual charitable contributions that allow young people to go on to do great things as Brian would have done.

What is in your heart? What is important to you? Why help those who cannot help themselves? These are all great questions that we have to wrestle with in dealing with financial request. Giving can be done in many ways; 1) cash donation once or over time by pledging, 2) transfer of stock (most effective are stocks that appreciate in value), 3) beneficiary of a life insurance or annuity policy, or 4) a gift of real estate.

The scholarship recipients in the past have gone on to do great things in many fields of business, industry, military and social work. We never know what direction a young person's life is going to take, all we can hope, is to impact it in a positive way."

"I am truly blessed to say I'm a small part"

By Zach Sites, 2007 Eric McColley Scholarship of Honor recipient

"I remember being notified that I was selected to be the very first recipient of the Eric McColley Scholarship of Honor at Gettysburg High School. My first reaction was that I did not feel worthy to be a representative of such a noble cause. Since the evening of the scholarship award in May of 2007, I have felt the support of the Foundation on a continuing basis."

Zach Sites received the first annual Eric McColley Scholarship of Honor over a dozen years ago. He continues to be inspired by Eric and Brian's Foundation.

Medal of Honor recipient USMC Wes Fox was a part scholarship presentation

"It is truly astounding what the Brian LaViolette Foundation has become. We will never know how many lives have been touched by the wonderful things you all have accomplished. Not just financially, but emotionally, intellectually or otherwise. These special relationships, having been formed in the names of those honored by the foundation are what push us to continue on. I am truly blessed to be able to say I'm a small part of such a wonderful mission."

"Since receiving the Eric McColley Scholarship of Honor, I attended college to become nationally registered as a paramedic. I was hired at Prince William County Department of Fire & Rescue in 2012. Since being hired, I have become actively involved in various programs in the department. Some of these programs have included becoming an instructor for High Performance CPR, Emergency Medical Technician, and Paramedic. In addition, I have competed for and been successful in two promotions, rising to the rank of Lieutenant in January 2019."

USMC Sgt Eric McColley

Eric McColley joined the Marines on the delayed entry program prior to graduating from Gettysburg High School in 2000. While in high school, he excelled on the swim team and in other team sports including soccer and baseball. Outside of school, his commitment to helping others could be seen in his work as a lifeguard, swim instructor, and swim coach at the Gettysburg YWCA. The thing Eric was most proud of was being a Marine. He had re-enlisted and intended to go to military police school and hoped to pursue a career in law enforcement in civilian life, when he was killed on February 17, 2006 off coast of Africa in Helicopter crash at the age of 23.

Stan Clark, of Gettysburg, committed to raising funds to endow the scholarship in Eric's honor. Over 150 people in the small community contributed $42,000 for the scholarship fund making it a reality. To date, $25,500 has been awarded to the students of Gettysburg High School. Each year, the Eric McColley Scholarship of Honor recognizes a graduating high school senior with plans to enlist in the military or pursue a career in public safety or community service while keeping Eric's spirit alive. Recipients, like Zach, make this world a better place.

How Brett Favre introduced me to Brian LaViolette, by Mark leland

"The year was 1999, and Packers Quarterback Brett Favre was opening a restaurant bearing his name not far from Lambeau Field. Favre would be there for an event to kick off the opening. His name was certainly a draw for many guests that night in March.

The big event that night was not just the opening of the restaurant, but a fundraiser for a local scholarship fund. Little did I realize at the time that Favre would be the one ultimately to introduce me to the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation.

At the time I was anchoring the news at WGBA-TV and went by in between broadcasts to cover the event. My visit was short, but what I remember clearly is Favre making an appearance and playing drums with a band front and center in the crowded room.

Other than running into Favre in the back hallway of the restaurant it was not unlike numerous other events I've covered. Keep in mind at the time he was already a Super Bowl winning, MVP, NFL quarterback. And even though I had, at that point, interviewed Favre on at least three other occasions over the years for sports related stories, it was still a thrill.

Fast forward three years when I met with Doug LaViolette. I was impressed with how far the foundation had come in a relatively short period of time. I told Doug I'd be thrilled to help.

It started with The Business News articles, then working on foundation brochures, newsletters, correspondence to potential supporters. We shared a lot of ideas.

The foundation's work gave me the opportunity to be on the forefront of news making events. While in my current job at WLUK-TV, I traveled to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to interview Medal of Honor recipient Sal Guinta and the awarding of the inaugural Sal Guinta Scholarship of Honor through the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation. There was a trip to Long Beach, California to celebrate the USS Green Bay being put into service. And we traveled to Pilsen, Czech Republic in 2013 for the city's annual Liberation Festival celebrating American World War II veterans and their role in granting them freedom. The Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation presents a scholarship award during the festival, sponsored by friends of the foundation and by the grandson of General George S. Patton.

Brian's foundation, under Doug's leadership, the watchful eye of his wife Renee, and managed day-to-day by Brian's sister Kim for over two and a half decades, continues to find new connections to people and places. It continues to change lives and encourage people to make their world a better place. It's why the foundation's motto-"The Journey is the Reward" is so fitting. The saying was one Brian had in his room.

When Doug LaViolette asked me to be a part of the Foundation, I had no idea where the journey would take me. I wasn't looking to get anything out of it, I was more focused on how I could help. And that as I discovered has truly made the journey, the reward.

And to think, it all started with Brett Favre.

Internationally renowned photographer is inspired by Brian’s story

Photographer Nick Del Calzo travels the country. His photography tells personal, deeply emotional stories.

Nick started as a journalist and moved to public relations yet he felt unfulfilled until he picked up a camera . He has photographed Holocaust survivors and Medal of Honor recipients. Last week, Nick photographed Doug LaViolette as part of his portraits of people who inspire and impact him.

"I'm thrilled to have that opportunity to do it as a gift for them for what they've helped me do," says Nick.

Nick DelCalzo

Doug LaViolette is the President of the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation. In 1992, Brian died in a swimming accident when he was 15-years old. His family made it their mission to honor Brian's life by helping others succeed.

“When I receive the phone call from Nick DelCalzo a couple of months back that he wanted to photograph me I was stunned.  I believe I actually laughed out loud and said  “why me of all people?”  After Nick explained more details that he is creating a series of portraits of individuals who have made an impact on his life I was clearly moved. 

It was such a humbling experience to be included in the company of the extraordinary people whom he has photographed.  Nick did not disappoint with his attention to detail, thoughtfulness and incredible care in creating my portrait.  It was wonderful because it gave us a chance to have a lot of quiet time together, something we’ve really never experienced in the decade and a half since I’ve known him.  

Please click on the link below for the full story by Sarah Thomsen that aired on WBAY-TV2 this past Friday.

Link to full story HERE

At Brian's funeral came a promise to accomplish great things in his name and memory. The Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation has granted 892 scholarships to students.

These people receive these scholarships and ... did that impact that for a higher purpose? I don't know," says Doug. "But it is pretty amazing."

Doug is still emotional to talk about his son. However, Doug is smiling in his portrait. He's proud of what he's accomplished in Brian's name. He also holds a sculpture depicting the void a family feels when losing a child.

The ripple effect of these good deeds are felt far beyond the room. "It goes on and on and on. It really does," says Doug.

A seed is planted

We met Rose Scannell in 2005 after her son, Ben was killed in the War in Iraq.

Friends, family and the community came together to help establish the Ben Edinger Scholarship of Honor through Brian's Foundation at Green Bay West High School in 2005.

Rose has been involved with the scholarship process since the beginning.

Rose was asked what impact she feels Brian's Foundation has had...

"The Brian LaViolette Foundation has an impact that no one will really be able to quantify.

• There are people like me and my family.

• Then there are the recipients who have the ability to go to school.. that impacts that individual and every person that individual touches.

• Those individual involved in the Foundation, which are so many community members... They really care.

• But there is more. Those people at the awards night- just at West High School-every year and then multiple that by every school... I can't even imagine.

A seed is planted they have information they didn't have before. Their hearts are touched in a way that they weren't touched before and they take that

information and that feeling with them and there is no way to know where all those ripples and all those effects go, but they are all there and it is all so positive.

So that is what I see."

Learn more about Rose's experience about having a scholarship in her son, Ben's name in this 5 minute video.

“I was nervous at first”, update from 2018 scholarship recipient

Hello Doug, Renee, Kim and the rest of the Foundation!

Before the semester gets going too fast, I wanted to take a moment to share with you what’s going on in my life at the moment.  I am starting my second year at UW-Madison and as of last semester I have fully transitioned into the computer science major and I’m considering a double major in Political Science. I loved my computer classes last semester, so I think this will be a great fit. 

Bailey received the Brian LaViolette Scholarship in 2018. He is pictured here with his parents (left) and Doug and Renee LaViolette

It was a very difficult decision for me, but this summer I decided to stay and work in Madison.  I was nervous at first—most of my friends went back home to see their families and meet up with friends from high school.  However, it ended up working out!  I took another computer course, got promoted to student manager at the IT Help Desk where I work and I met so many new people here in Madison.  Not to mention, I experienced the fun the city has to offer in the warm weather, music at the terrace, walks by Lake Mendota and the Capitals Farmer’s Market to name a few.

Bailey with UW-Madison, Bucky Badger

Switching gears to this semester, I already love my professors from my first day of class yesterday.  For example, my philosophy professor started out class by playing an electric violin!  I also have been working with a couple friends from work to start a new IT service management company. 

Bailey with his sister and mom

I want to thank you all again for helping me to pursue my education here at UW-Madison.  I am so grateful that I am able to go to class every day and learn just a little more about the subjects I enjoy.  Thank you so much for everything you do! 

Sincerely,

Bailey Conradt, 2018 Brian LaViolette Scholarship Recipient

P.S. I hope you like the paper I am writing on’ it’s a gift from my girlfriend, Madeline, and she insists we use it for our eventual presidential run (she’d be president of course!)

Two Scholarships awarded in the country of Poland

Last weekend two scholars in Nidzica, Poland received the International Scholarship of Honor through Brian’s Foundation. Brian’s Foundation has been awarding scholarships in Poland for the last 17 years, awarding nearly 75 scholarships during that time.

The recipients are Natalia Roska who is studying Linguistics in business in her 2nd year at The University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn. Karolina Idzikowska studying management and production engineering in her 2nd year at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn.

These scholarships are made possible by Darelne Nueske and Dr. Mike and Sue Smullen.

Pictured here are: Bozena Szczypinska - Vice President of the Associated Bank in Nidzica, Barba Margol - President of the Nidzica Community Foundation, Justyna Kowalczyk - Board Member of the NIDA Foundation, Natalia Roska, Karlina Idzikowska, and Pawel Przybylek - vice Governor of Nidzica County.

Location where scholarships are available through Brian's Foundation

The Brian LaViolette Foundation awards 55 scholarships annually. To find out what schools they are available and who they honor, please click the map or link below. You can find more details on each one through our website.

http://www.briansjourney.com/scholorship-locations

Jim Rivett's Spirit lives on

Before the untimely death of community leader Jim Rivett last August, Brian's Foundation was working on a time we could award him the Brian LaViolette Spirit Award. We had the opportunity yesterday as we remembered Jim and celebrated his life in presenting the Spirit Award in Jim's honor to his husband, Pete. The moving ceremony took place at Jim's business, KHROME, with his team of co-workers, family and Pete's dog, Jimmy.

Jim Rivett, photo by Frievalt Photography

Without realizing it, chances are you have probably seen Jim and his teams' work. From the creation of Brian's logo over 25 years ago, Jim and his team, including Gregg Schneider, continually guided us to keep brand standards and develop unique ways to share Brian's story and the Foundation-from the schools, scholarship recipients, their parents, donors, the community and those interested worldwide. Their work for the Foundation has been in the hands of thousands and thousands of lives throughout Northeastern Wisconsin and beyond.

Pete with Jim's sister, Jean

As many in the community, we miss Jim dearly. He will forever remain in our hearts and we are grateful to his dedicated team, now a part of Elevate 97, who also have big hearts and passion to make a difference in our community.

Gregg Schneider with the newest member of the KHROME team, Jimmy.

Since 2011 the Brian LaViolette Spirit Award has served as a recognition for a select group of individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership, commitment and extraordinary compassion. The recipients selflessly give of themselves to improve their community and to Brian's Foundation.

You can find more on the award and past recipients here: www.briansjourney.com/spirit-award

“After receiving this scholarship, I know that every morning I need to represent this scholarship with kindness, compassion, and love for those around me as both Ken Hess and those who surrounded him would have done.

I feel a pull to be the best version of myself in honor of this scholarship. I hope to be a better person each day because of this.”

Madison Wommack, 2019 Ken Hess Scholarship of Honor, Asheville NC. Madison will be attending University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill to pursue a degree in medicine.

Congratulations to Cadet First Lieutenant Matthew Niemi for receiving the 2019 Tom Hudner Scholarship of Honor

Please help us congratulate Civil Air Patrol Cadet Matthew Niemi and wish him well as he departed on June 18th to the United States Air Force.  He is attending basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX.

“As a young child, I lived in a foreign country and experienced first-hand what it is like not to have freedom. Being raised in a military household, taking advantage of what this great country has to offer, and realizing the amazing freedom this country has, it really makes me want to give back and uphold that freedom that is seen nowhere else in the world.

Protecting the people of the United States was my goal and now is a dream come true. I am excited to join the Armed Forces this year and see what opportunities it has in store. This scholarship will help with my future career in the Air Force. I am very thankful for the Brian LaViolette Foundation recognizing those going into public service sectors.”

Left to right: Lt Col. Stephen Kohler, David Konrath, Matthew Niemi, Doug LaViolette and Lt Col Robert Koehler, Northeast Group Commander, WI Wing CAP

The Tom Hudner Scholarship of Honor is sponsored by David Konrath and awarded through the  Wisconsin Wing Civil Air Patrol. 

“Matthew is such a deserving young man to receive the Thomas Hudner Scholarship of Honor and I know Tom is smiling down excited to see the next generation is in good hands.” – David Konrath, sponsor of the Tom Hudner Scholarship of Honor.

As a fighter pilot in the Korean War, Thomas Hudner routinely completed his missions by air. But in a dramatic rescue attempt of a fellow pilot, Hudner executed a wheels-up landing in enemy territory and found himself battling the elements on the ground. The snow and cold of December 1950 in North Korea found Hudner thinking not of himself or the enemy, but of one fellow Navy pilot, Ensign Jesse Brown, the Navy’s first African American aviator.

President Truman awarded Thomas Hudner the Congressional Medal of Honor on April 13, 1951 for his courageous actions.

Community Focus.

Doug LaViolette and Kim LaViolette Mosteller interviewed with Robert Hornacek of CW 14 Focus.  The show aired on Sunday, May 19th at 10:00am.  You can watch the interview here, CW14 Focus with Robert Hornacek

2019 Brian LaViolette Scholarship Recipient

Madelin Corrao describes herself in 150 characters as:

Principled, empathetic and humble. Loves to travel, experience life and my crazy dog.  Enjoys learning and eager to change my piece of the world.

Madelin received the Brian LaViolette Scholarship for $10,000 this week in a surprise visit during her interior design class at DePere High School.

Through the administrative help of Partners in Education, one student was selected from about 4,000 Seniors in the Green Bay district.  A student from each of the 17 schools applies.  The committee narrows it down to 5 and our family, along with April of Partners in Education interview the finalists.

During the interview, we instantly felt Madelin's compassion and empathy.  She is driven to help others and is focused to becoming a nurse practitioner.  She has taken a Certified Nursing Assistant course at Bellin College in mornings before school started.   Madelin would also like to become fluent in Spanish and complete her clincials in South America before coming back to the community as a nurse.

She is enrolled in honors college at UW-Oshkosh.

"The most important day of my life"

Brian on his confirmation day

Brian said the most important day of his life was his confirmation, May 17th, 1992.  In his confirmation journal he wrote: "Death and resurrection is a sacred, but happy event. There is life after death."

Brian's confirmation mentor said this about him: "I found out early on that Brian was no ordinary 15-year old... he formed very clear and mature ideas about his life and the world around him. He took the risk of being open, honest, and candid... His spiritual faith had the confidence of a 50-year-old, not the average 15-year-old.

On this day, we reflect on Brian and the confidence you have in his Foundation.