WLHS
ADVANTAGE FALL 2019 | GRADE SCHOOL PARENT PUBLICATION
This August, WLHS welcomed 261 freshmen – our largest class in 20 years!
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Together We Can Find a Way!
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Our WLHS Experience
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Meet Our New Teachers
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Domestic Student Residential Program Grows
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Get to Know WLHS
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WLHS Open House
Articles highlight members from: • Atonement Lutheran School • Grace Christian Academy, Falls Church, VA • Grace Lutheran Church, Milwaukee
GUIDED BY FAITH. DRIVEN BY EXCELLENCE.
Together We Can Find a Way!
Even though your child may have just started kindergarten or is in 4th or 5th grade, let’s start talking about how a success-focused education at WLHS is possible. Meet Mr. Brad Wetzel Brad Wetzel (’98), director of admissions, is the point person for lining up the necessary financial assistance to send your son or daughter to Wisconsin Lutheran High School.
“One of the biggest blessings of my position is the opportunity to work closely with families to meet their needs,” says Wetzel. “If we’re having conversations early on, we can work things out.” Brad Wetzel, Director of Admissions
Throughout the year, Wetzel makes sure he’s in regular contact with families. He visits local WELS grade schools frequently and hosts a number of special events so students and their parents can get to know WLHS. To begin a conversation with Wetzel, call 414-453-4567 ext. 1322 or email brad.wetzel@wlhs.org.
Schedule a Custom School Visit If your child has a specific area of interest in math, engineering, Spanish, religion, music or something else, we can arrange a special student-parent visit. You’ll get to see our teachers in action, attend relevant classes and learn more about related co-curricular opportunities. Contact Brad Wetzel, 414-453-4567 ext. 1322 or brad.wetzel@wlhs.org.
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WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL || Fall 2019
“Many middle-income parents are surprised to learn they qualify for tuition assistance at WLHS. Don’t exclude us because you THINK your family won’t receive support. We actually have a lot of different ways to make tuition affordable.” — Mr. Brad Wetzel (’98), Director of Admissions
Admissions Calendar Admission applications available at wlhs.org/admissions – October 1 Open House for 6th-8th grade parents and students – October 6 Scholarship applications available apply online at wlhs.org/scholarships – December 1-31 Tuition assistance applications available at wlhs.org/tuitionassistance – December 1-January 31 Milwaukee Parental Choice Program enrollment period, apply at dpi.wi.gov – February 1-20 Wisconsin Parental Choice Program enrollment period, apply at dpi.wi.gov – February 1–April 20
Nass Family Reflections
Our WLHS Experience
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Financial Support: By the Numbers $600,000 – In tuition assistance and scholarships provided to families for the 2019-20 school year. From $750-$6,000 – The amount students receive in tuition assistance.
42.5% – Of tuition-paying families receive tuition
assistance or scholarships to help reduce their costs.
70+ – Annual scholarships, the majority are based on financial need.
Up to 7 – Students are selected each year
to receive the Dr. Walter H. Drost Honors Scholarship, a four-year renewable award that covers half of the conference rate of tuition.
You Could Qualify for Wisconsin Parental Choice Program “In a number of cases, we’ve started working with families when their child was still in grade school and have been able to help them qualify for the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program by implementing some smart, strategic actions,” Brad Wetzel (’98), director of admissions.
Wisconsin Parental Choice Program Student Breakdown at WLHS
Asian - 6% Black/African American - 13% Latino/ Hispanic - 11% Caucasian - 70%
WHERE SUCCESS MEANS MORE.
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Meet Our New Teachers
This year, we’ve added four talented professionals to our faculty. Mr. Daniel Hafenstein, Grade School Band Director and Music Instructor Background: Hafenstein is familiar with WLHS since he spent three seasons working with Mr. Quinten Mr. Daniel Hafenstein
Petersen and the school’s marching band as a percussion instructor. In his
current role, he will be visiting WELS grade schools to give one-on-one music lessons and direct the grade school band program. Hafenstein has a master’s degree in Music Composition from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Of Note: Hafenstein is married to Wisco grad Anne Steeves (’11).
Ms. Angela Horneber, English Teacher and Dorm Supervisor
s lection f e R t n Pare Arts ferent on Fine how dif
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Background: For the past
Mrs. Lisa (Gawrisch) Wigley (’96), English and Spanish Teacher, Freshman Volleyball Coach
five years, Horneber has been teaching English and sharing God’s word in Ms. Angela Horneber
Shanghai, China. At WLHS, she’s teaching freshman English and living on-site
Background: Wigley comes
at the new Honey Creek
to WLHS from Atonement
Residence Hall where she’ll support the domestic and international students and help meet their emotional, physical and spiritual needs.
Lutheran School in Mrs. Lisa Wigley (‘96)
Of Note: “God gave me a path to return to the U.S. and a way to continue to be involved in a multicultural, Christian environment, which is my passion.”
Milwaukee where she taught third grade and served as academic dean.
Before that, she taught Spanish at Michigan Lutheran Seminary. Her two teenage daughters, Bria and Kayla, are following in their mother’s footsteps by attending Wisco. Of Note: Wigley was a hitter on the Lady Vikings
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WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL || Fall 2019
volleyball team that won the State championship title in 1995.
Mr. Jason Nickels, Science Teacher and Wrestling Coach Background: Nickels has spent the last eight years “in the field” doing hands-on research Mr. Jason Nickels
and instruction at Mequon Nature Preserve. He’s held
a number of positions with the nonprofit, including his most recent as director of research and education. Prior to that, he taught Biology at Lakeside Lutheran for nearly a decade. Nickels has a master’s degree in Environmental Education from Concordia University – Mequon. Of Note: At WLHS, he will lead the new Anatomy & Physiology class, as well as teach Biology. “I’m excited Anatomy & Physiology has been added to the curriculum. It’s a course that’s foundational to so many medical and scientific careers. I think there are numerous opportunities to grow our science offerings at WLHS.”
“Over the years, I’ve interacted with Wisco in a number of ways and have always been impressed with the institution, its culture and its students, especially how they live their faith. Because of what we saw, my wife and I decided years ago that Wisco was the place we wanted to send our children for high school. Knowing the caliber of where I was headed, made my decision to join WLHS easy.” — Mr. Jason Nickels, Science Teacher
A new Anatomy & Physiology class has been added to the WLHS science curriculum for the 2019-20 school year.
WHERE SUCCESS MEANS MORE.
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Domestic Student Residential Program Continues to Grow
Three years ago, Stephanie Hernandez from Grace Christian Academy, our WELS grade school in Falls Church, Virginia, hugged her parents goodbye and started high school at WLHS — nearly 800 miles away from home. “As a freshman, at first I was nervous and shy,” says Hernandez. “I learned quickly it was best to get involved and be active. Wisco offers so many opportunities and I’m now 100% part of the school and have amazing friends.” Hernandez is a gifted student and talented leader who’s enriched the school. She was elected president of the National Honor Society, is an advisor to the 60-member photo club she helped start and has been part of 10 other co-curriculars. She also received the first ever In the Image Scholarship, designated for a female Christian leader at WLHS. Stephanie Hernandez (‘20)
“Wisco has taught me so much about how to engage with my peers, manage my time and how to be a Christian leader – important skills I’ll need for college,” says Hernandez.
“This year, we have a young man from Milwaukee and another from Fort Atkinson who are part of our Domestic Student Residential Program. Our program was established so students near and far could attend WLHS and be engaged in a school that delivers superior academic and co-curricular opportunities while surrounding them with the support, guidance and oversight they need as teenagers.” — Mr. Brad Wetzel (’98), Director of Admissions 6
WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL || Fall 2019
Residence Program at a Glance
Six domestic students from California,
Virginia and Wisconsin and 65 international
students from 13 countries, including
Albania, China, Japan, Montenegro,
Nigeria, Serbia, South Korea, Spain and
Vietnam, joined the WLHS student body
this year.
Live-in WLHS staff at Honey Creek Hall
include: Doug Carter, dean of residential
life; Angela Horneber, dorm supervisor and
English teacher; and Sam (Latin teacher)
and Maddie Helwig, dorm supervisors.
Students live in the brand new Honey
Creek Hall, a contemporary,
suite-style dormitory.
Get to Know WLHS
The Jr. Vikings program helps grade school students make new friends and builds their confidence and athletic skills under the guidance of Christian coaches.
Five years ago, the Jr. Vikings added baseball with U8, U9 and U10 teams. Now, there are eight teams spanning U8 to U14, including two U11 squads.
Mr. Blair Schaper, Jr. Vikings Program Director
In 2017, Coach Blair Schaper, who has a master’s degree in Athletic Management, became director of the Jr. Vikings. Schaper now guides its philosophies and programming and oversees the coaching staff, program organization and scheduling.
“Our offerings have grown tremendously in the past five years and we’re fielding competitive teams that are teaching our grade schoolers new skills and showing them how to compete as Christian athletes and act as role models for others,” says Schaper.
For More Information About the Jr. Vikings Program Contact Blair Schaper, 414-453-4567 ext. 1326 or blair.schaper@wlhs.org. You can also visit wlhs.org/jrvikings.
Stay connected to WLHS!
Jr. Vikings Programs
• Boys Baseball • Boys & Girls Basketball • Boys Soccer (Futsal) • Cheer Clinic • Cheerleading • Cross Country • Dance Camp • Girls Volleyball • Flag Football • Football • Wrestling
Join Grade School Band
Contact Mr. Daniel Hafenstein, 414-453-4567 ext. 1413 or daniel.hafenstein@wlhs.org. The Grade School Band rehearses on Mondays, 6:15 - 7:15 p.m. at WLHS.
WHERE SUCCESS MEANS MORE.
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GUIDED BY FAITH. DRIVENAvenue BY EXCELLENCE. 330 North Glenview Milwaukee WI 53213-3379
YOU ARE INVITED
WLHS OPEN HOUSE Sunday, October 6, 2019 Registration at 5:30 p.m. Program begins at 6:00 p.m.