2023 Spring Advantage

60+ Co-Curricular Clubs and Activities Offered

Highlights from: • St. John’s Lutheran School - Wauwatosa, Peace Lutheran Academy, and Pilgrim Lutheran School

Meet the Admissions Team

Mr. Brian Gottschalk (‘96) Admissions Counselor

Family: Mr. Gottschalk and his wife have four children and attend both Victory of the Lamb Lutheran Church, Franklin, and St. Jacobi Lutheran Church, Greenfield.

At WLHS: Teaches AP Calculus AB, AP Statistics, and Honors Trigonometry. Gottschalk is also the Math Department coordinator, co-head coach of the Boys Track Team and advisor to the Viking Christian Leaders Academy (VCLA).

Admissions Role: Gottschalk will visit area Lutheran Elementary Schools to deliver chapels and meet with principals, teachers, and students.

WLHS Today: “Wisco is such a unique ministry. I have always appreciated the diversity and varied perspectives that the students and faculty bring. What makes Wisco special is that, though we have these different backgrounds, it is our common faith that brings us all together.”

Mrs. Meg Schuessler (‘97) and Mr. Brian Gottschalk (‘96) (pictured middle and right) will join Mr. Brad Wetzel (‘98) in the admissions department at the start of 2023-24 school year

Mrs. Meg (Raddant) Schuessler (’97) Admissions Counselor

Family: Mrs. Schuessler and her husband have four children and are members at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Muskego.

At WLHS: Teaches Intro to 3D, Ceramics 1-4, and 3D AP Art.

Admissions Role: Schuessler will visit area Lutheran Elementary Schools to meet grade school students and share Wisco with them in fun and interesting ways.

WLHS Reflection: “When I look back, I truly appreciate the many Wisco teachers and coaches who shaped me. I am so grateful for their spiritual and life guidance and the incredible patience and grace they gave. In turn, I work to encourage and grow my students’ faith and help them realize their gifts and how they can use them to serve Him and their communities.

Farewell to Mr. Mark Ricke

We are sad to say goodbye to Mr. Mark Ricke who has been sharing Jesus’ love with grade school students since 2014. Mr. Ricke has been a dedicated teacher and coach at WLHS for 25 years and in 2021 started the school’s first-ever Canoe Club. We wish Mr. Ricke God’s blessings on his retirement.

Brian Gottschalk (‘96)

Meg Schuessler (‘97)

Mark Ricke

Student Council 100+ Strong Building School Culture

With more than 100 members, Student Council is an inclusive group that engages the WLHS student body through a variety of events and activities.

To become a council member, students complete written questions, conduct an in-person interview with a peer, and receive votes from the student body. The three scores are combined to determine who earns a position.

“Student Council is really a tool to help our students display their faith and grow their leadership skills,” says Lindsay Knight, a science teacher and the faculty advisor for Student Council. “By hosting events like Spirit Week and the school dances, students learn important communication and coordination skills while building the school’s culture.”

Student Council also raises funds for nonprofits and this year is donating a total of $40,000 to benefit two WELS organizations – Thai Village and Central Africa Medical Mission.

Meet Jacob Alejandro

Student body president, Jacob Alejandro (’23), came to WLHS from St. John’s Lutheran School, Wauwatosa, and after graduation is attending UW-Madison with plans to pursue a degree in engineering.

“It’s really exciting to see the growth of leadership skills among my friends and fellow students, especially since we share a common purpose of joyfully serving our Lord,” says Alejandro.

Student Council Events

F Freshman Tailgate

F Spirit Week

F Homecoming & Festival Dances

F Veterans Day Service

F Spirit of the Season

F Mr. Wisco

F Blood Drive

F Kids Carnival

F Dodgeball Tournament

F Our Hands for His Service

F Hideaway Talent Show

F Spring and Fall Workdays

“A year of leading Student Council has come with some really valuable lessons.

Out of everything, I learned that leadership skills are far more influential when they are combined with kindness, patience, and a selfless positive attitude toward others.”

— Jacob Alejandro (’23), Student Body President

Jacob

Alejandro

(‘23)

Student Council members plan and execute the annual Veterans Day Service

Where Success Means More Future Leaders in Training

WLHS offers a supportive environment where students are encouraged to explore different career paths and areas of interest. For example, the high school has a variety of classes and co-curricular activities for young men and women to learn and develop business and leadership skills.

Entrepreneurship Class

This one-semester class provides sophomores, juniors, and seniors with the knowledge needed to evaluate their potential as future business owners. Students examine critical entrepreneurship building blocks and meet local business owners who share their real-world experiences.

Viking Christian Leaders Academy

The Viking Christian Leaders Academy (VCLA) focuses on supporting the WLHS culture by strengthening its student leaders and helping them identify and develop their leadership skills.

VCLA members learn and practice leadership skills through a strength finder assessment, guest speakers, and in-depth discussions about each month’s Wisco Way words. In addition, students conduct monthly homeroom conversations and lead quarterly homeroom devotions.

Future Business Leaders of America

This school year, WLHS added Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) to its co-curricular offerings. Through academic competitions, leadership development, and educational programs, FBLA helps prepare high school students for careers in business.

This spring in its inaugural year, WLHS sent five students to the FBLA State competition and three went on to qualify for Nationals

Entrepreneurship students visited a local Planet Smoothie shop and then developed marketing plans for the business’ owner, Sherri Luckett

Where Success Means More

Chick-fil-A Leader Academy

Chick-fil-A Leader Academy is a student leader development organization sponsored by local Chick-fil-A store owner/operator Jim Fraisier.

The academy features video-based lessons that focus on:

• Vision and Values

• Servant Leadership

• Teamwork

• Innovation

• Communication

• Impact

In addition, students execute three service initiatives during the school year:

Big Thank You – Each student identifies someone who has had a special impact on their life and takes time to thank them verbally and in writing.

Do Good December – Students work together to help an organization in the community.

Community Impact – This March, the Chick-fil-A members organized a multi-day volunteer initiative at The Village at Manor Park in West Allis. The group recruited 40 WLHS students to play games and visit with elderly residents.

“I love doing volunteer work and Wisco has a lot of great opportunities to give back,” says Oliva Hermanson (’24), Peace Lutheran Academy, Sussex.

“I was on the committee for promoting our community impact activity at The Village at Manor Park and learned how important it is to communicate effectively and efficiently to get people excited and onboard with what you’re doing.”

Lauretta Plautz Fund and ViTech Fund

Since 1974, WHLS seniors have been researching, monitoring, and buying stocks as part of the Lauretta Plautz Fund. In addition, in 2013, thanks to an anonymous donor, the ViTech Fund was established to provide another hands-on learning opportunity.

Under the guidance of Mr. Rick Eastman and Mr. Eric Ruh, students learn about the stock market and decide how to allocate approximately $15,000 in yearly dividend earnings for faculty grant requests.

After a presentation by GE Healthcare leadership and proper analysis, the group purchased 50 shares GE Healthcare stock

Plautz/Vitech students meet to discuss where funds are allocated. For the 2022-23 school year, eight projects were funded.

Oliva Hermanson (‘24)

“Plautz/ViTech students not only learn the skills to analyze, buy, and sell technology stocks, they also grow in discerning how to be good stewards.”

— Mr. Eric Ruh, Lauretta Plautz and ViTech Fund advisor

Where Success Means More

Students Get Hands-on Learning

This fall, WLHS students taking metals classes will have the opportunity to work with a $50,000 piece of robotic welding equipment.

Mr. Brent Bloomquist, the school’s new Trade and Technology program coordinator, is incorporating the robotic welding arm into the department’s coursework.

The robot is made by ABB and is part of a comprehensive SMART (Software, Maintenance and Robotics Training Certification Program) curriculum. WLHS students will be working with manufacturing industry software to program the robotic arm to perform a variety of welding operations.

The long-term goal is for students to graduate with the ABB SMART programming certificate and an AWS D1.1 certification.

Youth Apprenticeship Program

Will Lambrecht (’23), who attended Pilgrim Lutheran School, Menomonee Falls, has taken advantage of the school’s Youth Apprenticeship Program to explore a career in the trades. Starting last summer and continuing through this school year, he’s been working at Argon Industries.

“I was interested in welding so I talked with Mr. Schumacher to get the apprenticeship,” says Lambrecht. “I’ve learned a lot about the welding process. Things like how to set up the machine, prepare metal to be welded, and how to clean up the weld.”

One of Lambrecht’s favorite aspects of his job is the fact that Wisco grad Daniel Frey (‘14) is his boss. “It’s a lot of fun working for Daniel because he’s not that much older than me and he remembers what it was like to be learning something new,” adds Lambrecht.

Mr. Brent Bloomquist, Trade & Tech Program Coordinator

Will Lambrecht (‘23)

“I took metals class all four years at Wisco and that’s how I discovered my career in welding.”

— Daniel Frey (‘14), a welder at Argon Industries who is now supervising current WLHS student

Will Lambrecht (’23)

Co-curriculars Abound

Students Get Active and Involved

When students are involved in co-curriculars they:

• build confidence

• form relationships

• learn collaboration

• improve their problem-solving

• gain new skills

• improve resilience

• nurture individual well-being

• develop crucial skills for life after high school

75% of the WLHS student body

2022-23 Co-curricular Highlights

secured college scholarships to Bethany Lutheran College.

Students in the WLHS Music Department brought home 224 gold medals and 32 silver medals in the 2023 WSMA District Solo & Ensemble Festival. At State competition, two students received awards for exemplary performances.

Three students from the 70-person Math Track team notched perfect scores at one or more meets.

Junior Vikings

Varsity Boys Soccer won their first-ever Regional Championship.

Varsity Boys Cross Country won the Woodland Conference XC Championships. Plus, the team earned Academic All-State.

Varsity Boys Basketball made it to the sectional finals for the third straight season.

The Junior Vikings program is an extension of WLHS athletics and grade school students are encouraged to join a team or activity.

11 teams and activities

400+ student athletes

100+ coaches

• Baseball - The U8 Junior Vikings won the title of League Champions

• Boys & Girls Basketball - The JRV8 Blue, JRV7 Blue, and JRV6 Blue all earned the Badgerland State Champion title

• Cheerleading

• Cross Country

• Dance

• Flag Football

• Football

• Strength & Conditioning

• Volleyball

• Wrestling

is involved in one or more co-curricular

The Lady Vikings Varsity Volleyball went to State semifinals

The esports League of Legends team won the Vanta. GG championship and a trio finished second in the Fortnite State Championship (pictured). In addition, two students from the esports team have

Varsity Girls Basketball defeated Pius for the first time in 25-plus years