2025 Spring Advantage

Meet the Academic Top Ten

This year’s group of high performers worked hard throughout their years at WLHS and are headed off to new challenges in the fall.

Amos Ebling

Sarah Lin

Grade School: St. John, Wauwatosa

Grade School: Attended elementary school in Shanghai, China

College: Wisconsin Lutheran College

College: University of Wisconsin – Madison

Received a Presidential Scholarship Double Major: Computer Science and Mathematics 2025 Valedictorian Amos Ebling

To challenge himself and earn college credits, Ebling chose Advanced Placement (AP) biology, calculus AB, chemistry, history, microeconomics, Spanish, and statistics at WLHS, as well as courses offered at Wisconsin Lutheran College. He’s taken a number of dual credit classes, including calculus 2 and 3, complex analysis, introduction to computer science, linear algebra, and physics.

“Because of Wisco’s Christian environment and the genuine care that all of the teachers and staff have for their students, I have been able to learn and grow in my faith as well as in my academic endeavors.”

— Amos Ebling (’25), valedictorian

Major: Psychology Lin came to WLHS her sophomore year and, in addition to taking advanced classes like AP biology, calculus AB, computer science, economics, stats, and U.S. history, got involved in high school life. She joined the dance squad and student newspaper, was part of the global leadership team, participated in forensics, and was active in Wisco Witnesses in the World (WWW).

2025 Salutatorian Sarah Lin

“My advice for incoming students is to seize the opportunities that are part of high school and don’t worry about things because God has plans for you.”

— Sarah Lin (’25), salutatorian

Makayla Wendl

Alex Enslen

Grade School: Zion, Hartland

Grade School: Christ, Big Bend

College: Rose State

College: Martin Luther College

Major: Math

Major: Mathematics

Makayla Wendl

Alex Enslen

Elza Hofer

Kaitlyn Oldenburg

Grade School: Frank Lloyd Wright School, West Allis

Grade School: Christ the Lord, Brookfield

College: University of Iowa

College: University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, School of Architecture and Urban Planning Honors College

Major: Spanish

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Elza Hofer

Kaitlyn Oldenburg

Received Academic Excellence Scholarship Major: Architecture

Meet the Academic Top Ten

Lauren Roedel

Luke Koeller

Grade School: St. Paul, Franklin

Grade School: St. Jacobi, Greenfield

College: Indiana University, Hutton Honors College

College: University of Wisconsin – Madison

Received Dean’s Scholarship

Lauren Roedel

Double Major: Criminal Justice and Psychology

Major: Mechanical Engineering Luke Koeller

“I had so many great teachers at WLHS and I learned something from each of them.

AP psychology with Mrs. Bauer was really interesting.

My cross-country coach Mr. Schaper showed us how to live your faith every day. Mr. Wallace, who teaches economics and geometry, showed his concern by checking in with me to see how I was doing and ask about my college plans.” — Lauren Roedel (‘25)

Syndey Vitangcol Grade School: St. John, Wauwatosa College: University of Wisconsin – Madison, Received an athletic scholarship to play softball

Tommy Doerr Grade School: Homeschool College: Martin Luther College (MLC)

Syndey Vitangcol

Major: Early Childhood Education

Earned a perfect score on the ACT

Tommy Doerr

Received MLC National Merit and Presidential Scholarship Major: Pastoral Ministry

“My junior year, after visiting Martin Luther College and talking with friends who are pastors, I decided I wanted to do something meaningful and serve others.

The highlight of my time at Wisco was February 6 when I gave a chapel on Psalm 71. I talked about the different troubles students face and the fact that our God is so great we don’t have to worry.”

— Tommy Doerr (‘25) 2025 Academic Top Ten

WHERE SUCCESS MEANS MORE

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Meet the Grade School Band Directors

WLHS offers a variety of musical opportunities for grade schoolers to learn an instrument, play in a band, or sing in a choir.

Each of these activities is a good way for young boys and girls to exercise their creative “muscles,” learn how to work with others, make new friends from area schools, and have a built-in peer group at Wisco.

Mr. Danny Hafenstein

Ms. Alicia Mengel (’19)

Grade School Band Director and Music Instructor

Grade School Band Director and Music Instructor

Mr. Hafenstein, whose primary instrument is percussion, has a master’s degree in music composition from the Danny Hafenstein University of Wisconsin – Madison. He joined WLHS in 2019 and knows Wisco well since, prior to his full-time position, he spent three seasons working with the Viking marching band as a percussion instructor while attending Wisconsin Lutheran College. He also happens to be married to alumna, Anne Steeves (‘11), who he met through band connections.

In addition to leading the Grade School Band program and teaching lessons at WELS grade schools, Hafenstein is a multifaceted performer. He regularly plays the drums for services at Grace Lutheran Church in Milwaukee and with the Milwaukee Festival Brass and Kettle Moraine Symphony. He also sings with the Milwaukee Chamber Choir, Chant Claire Choir, and Canticum Novum.

“Learning an instrument gives students lifelong skills and the opportunity to praise God,” says Hafenstein.

“We have many who play during their school’s chapel service. It’s a wonderful way to get engaged with church at a young age, and it’s something that can continue into adulthood.”

In addition to Grade School Band Directors Ms. Alicia Mengel (‘19) and Mr. Danny Hafenstein (pictured right), Director of Bands Mr. Quinten Petersen (pictured left) assists with the grade school band program, and Choral Director Mrs. Lisa Uttech (‘98) (pictured middle left) directs the Wisconsin Lutheran Children’s Choir

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WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL || Spring 2025

Alicia Mengel

Each week, Ms. Mengel, who graduated from Martin Luther College with a degree in elementary and instrumental music education, visits 15 grade schools, giving approximately 70 lessons.

“I love going to the different schools,” says Mengel, whose primary instrument is the trumpet. “It’s so rewarding because I get to experience each school’s unique culture, meet the students, build relationships with them, and see their musical growth.”

When Mengel attended WLHS, she was an involved and busy student. Among other things, she was part of concert band, pit orchestra, brass, jazz and percussion ensembles, Wisco Kids, and was one of the first members of the Viking Steel Band.

“It’s such an incredible blessing to come back to Wisco and work alongside the directors and teachers who I looked up to,” says Mengel. “Mr. Petersen was a big influence on my life because he strengthened my love for education and music and helped me realize I could do both as a career.”

Music Notes

Meet the Grade School Band Directors

WLHS has many ways for grade school students to get involved with music.

Did You Know?

• Private Lessons – WLHS instructors visit WELS grade schools during the day.

“Studies have found that playing an

• Weekly Band Practice – Three levels of Grade School Band — beginner, intermediate and advanced — practice at WLHS on Monday nights for one hour.

physical benefits,” says Grade School

• Ensembles – Jazz, percussion, brass, string, and woodwind ensembles play together an additional 45 minutes after the weekly band practice.

it aids memory, concentration, and

• Children’s Choir – Auditions are held each fall for third-eighth graders and practice is at WLHS on Tuesday nights.

accountability, independence, and can

• Performances – Each year, the Grade School Band and Children’s Choir host two concerts.

• Solo Festival – All instrumental and piano students participate in a one-day festival where they receive feedback from a panel of judges.

instrument delivers so many mental and Band Director and Music Instructor

Danny Hafenstein. “Among other things, motor skill development. It also helps grow soft skills like listening, personal reduce stress and manage anxiety.”

F The WLHS Grade School Band has approximately 140 members and is always looking to add more!

F Interested students can play the flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, and percussion.

F The flute is the oldest instrument in the world, dating back to the beginning of time.

F The newest instrument in the band is the saxophone, which was invented by Adolphe Sax in the

Grade School Open House

September 2 and 4, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at WLHS

early 1840s.

F High school marching bands evolved from the military, which used marching songs to direct troops and maintain morale.

F John Philip Sousa, who led the

Interested students can meet Mr. Hafenstein and

U.S. Marine Band from 1880-1892,

Ms. Mengel and try a variety of instruments to find

composed 136 military marches,

the one that piques their interest.

including “Stars and Stripes Forever,” which is the country’s official march song.

WHERE SUCCESS MEANS MORE

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Handling the Tuition Hurdle

With four children to consider and a good public school close by, Tracy (Chernohorsky,‘05) and Doug Saugstad (’05), had a decision to make. Would they send their son, Oliver (’27), to WLHS or would he attend New Berlin West?

The Saugstad Family Oliver Saugstad (’27) (pictured left) with his parents, siblings, and Orchard Butudom (’27) (pictured right), an international student from Thailand who has become like family.

“I’ll be honest. When we started looking at our options, there’s sticker shock when you see the cost at WLHS,” says Doug. “It’s hard when you start doing the numbers and realize they’re not adding up.”

“Wisco is a fantastic place if you want to have a good Christian high school education because of the many opportunities to serve and grow in your faith,” says Oliver.

Thankfully, the Saugstads have a circle of friends who were willing to share their experience handling tuition at WLHS.

For his parents, WLHS feels right.

“We talked with a few different families who weren’t embarrassed to say they had struggled with the price but were able to get tuition assistance and that made a difference,” says Tracy. “Before having those conversations, we weren’t even going to apply to Wisco because the numbers were so daunting.”

The Saugstads did apply and received a package of scholarships and financial assistance for Oliver’s freshman, sophomore, and upcoming junior year.

For Oliver, the transition to Wisco was made easier because he was part of the Grade School Band program and had established connections over the years. In addition to the marching band and a percussion ensemble, he got involved in a variety of school activities right away. He joined the rockclimbing club, plays on the esports team, is part of the international student mentorship program and WWW, and freshman year was part of the canoe club.

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“Wisco built a strong foundation for who I am and where I ended up,” says Doug. “We like knowing Oliver will grow in his faith during high school, and we believe it’s worth the cost of tuition.”

“Please don’t make a decision based on the sticker price.

Once we dove into the process, we learned that Wisco wanted us there and would meet us where we were at.”

— Tracy (Chernohorsky, ‘05) and Doug Saugstad (’05)

College, Career, and Life Readiness

Working with Student Services, all WLHS students complete a college and career planner.

Stages of Successful Academic & Career Planning (ACP)

Know

Explore

Plan

Go!

Who am I? Students get

Where do I want to go?

Explore career pathways and education opportunities.

How do I get there? Students plan their route, set goals, choose courses, join clubs and activities, obtain financing, and more.

Recalculate as needed.

to know their interests.

Grade 9 Students are exposed to Career Clusters and make connections to personality interests, talents, and employability skills through counseling and guest speakers.

Grade 10 Students develop an Academic and Career Plan (ACP) that represents a match of student interests and academic outcomes. Students identify high school courses, co-curricular, and employment opportunities to help carry out their ACP. Students identify an adult mentor outside of the Wisconsin Lutheran High School staff to help provide planning advice and create opportunities to learn and volunteer.

Grades 11-12 Prior to graduation, students complete their Academic and Career Plan (ACP), gain real world exposure in their career focused area using a Christian perspective, and graduate with a post secondary plan with the option to attend a four-year university. All Wisconsin Lutheran High School students will have knowledge and skills related to career and life as a Wisco alumni.

Stay connected to WLHS! WHERE SUCCESS MEANS MORE

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Where Success Means More 330 North Glenview Avenue Milwaukee WI 53213-3379

What are you doing this summer?

2025 Viking Explorers Camp For Kids Grades K-9

Spots still available for: forensics, string ensembles, softball, and more!

Information and registration available at wlhs.org/explorers.