2015 Winter Advantage

WLHS

ADVANTAGE WINTER 2016

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Meet Brad Wetzel

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Scholarship Opportunities Grow

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Summer Academy

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Developing Young Christian Leaders

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Co-curriculars and Music Spectrum

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5th Grade Extravaganza

Meet Brad Wetzel, Director of Admissions Throughout the year, Mr. Brad Wetzel works one-on-one with families to guide them through the WLHS admissions process—answering questions, providing information and helping them apply for scholarships and tuition assistance.

When Wetzel graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran High School in 1998, he never imagined he’d be back years later. In fact, he’d already been accepted into the Milwaukee Fire Cadet program when a WLHS teacher suggested a different career.

Mr. Brad Wetzel

“I hadn’t considered teaching. Nobody in my family was in the ministry, so I wasn’t familiar with it,” says Wetzel. “At the last minute, I decided to give it a try, applied to Martin Luther College and discovered my passion.”

He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education with an emphasis in Secondary Education and Mathematics and was called to St. Andrew Lutheran, the only WELS school in the city of Chicago, to serve as principal and 7th and 8th grade teacher.

In 2006, he returned to WLHS to teach math, his favorite subject, and, over the years, has coached football, his favorite sport, baseball and track.

In 2014, he moved into the director of admissions position and continued his role as defensive coordinator and d-line coach for the varsity football team.

This year’s freshman class of 240 is the school’s largest in nearly a decade.

Wetzel’s love of sports is a big part of his family life. He and his wife, Megan (’98), have an active household of four boys that includes a set of twins who are in kindergarten, a third grader and a fifth grader—all of whom attend Star of Bethlehem in New Berlin.

This summer his boys will be at his side as he helps launch a Jr. Viking baseball program, beginning with U9 (3rd grade), U10 (4th grade) and U11 (5th grade) teams. Eventually, the program will expand to include teams from U8 to U14.

For more information about admission to WLHS or the new Jr. Viking Baseball program, contact Brad Wetzel at 414-453-4567 ext. 1322 or brad.wetzel@wlhs.org.

Why Choose WLHS? Peggy and Dan Schneidewend, parents of Kellen, a junior, from Pilgrim Lutheran School, Menomonee Falls Wendy and Brian Meye, parents of Miles, a senior, from Salem Lutheran School, Milwaukee “The faculty at Wisco is top notch. They are outstanding individuals with high expectations who set a Christian example in all they do.

There’s also a real sense of family at Wisco.”

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WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL || Winter 2016

“We live in an excellent public school district so the choice to invest in a WLHS education really came down to the value that we place on a Christian education in an environment of exceptional parental involvement. Equally important to us was an atmosphere of racial and cultural diversity under the guidance and supervision of a caring WELS staff.”

Scholarship Opportunities Grow

Wisconsin Lutheran High School is committed to making its superior, Christ-centered education affordable for families through a variety of scholarships and tuition assistance.

Recently, WLHS has grown its scholarship offerings and now has 66 available—some are based on financial need, several are for students from singleparent households while others recognize leadership, academic achievement or musical talent.

New WLHS Scholarships

Scholarships Make a Difference

presented each year to seven incoming

Elizabeth Mariscal

Evan Swiontek

“My mom has battled cancer twice so our family has had to deal with medical bills that add up. My music scholarship has been such a blessing and I’m so thankful for it. It made Wisco possible for me,” senior Elizabeth Mariscal, St. John Lutheran School, Wauwatosa, Quint Music Scholarship recipient.

“The scholarship has helped out my parents financially, especially since I have two other brothers who will go to Wisco after me. With three of us, paying full tuition would have been very difficult,” sophomore Evan Swiontek, Christ the Lord Lutheran School, Brookfield, Ruehle Family Church Leadership Scholarship recipient.

At the 2015 Scholarship Luncheon, Elizabeth Mariscal shared how a scholarship has helped her family.

Dr. Walter H. Drost Honors Scholarship This scholarship has expanded and is now freshmen to cover half of their tuition. The award is renewable for all four years, based on academic performance and high school involvement.

Presidential Scholarship In 2015, an anonymous donor funded three $3,500 annual scholarships for students who otherwise couldn’t afford WLHS. Graceland Cemetery Scholarship The $5,000 annual scholarship is based on financial need.

Earnest Schick Memorial Scholarship & Eileen Kolander Memorial Scholarship Each scholarship awards $1,000 to a student based on need.

On February 8, tuition assistance and scholarship applications will be available online at wlhs.org. We encourage families to apply right away in February.

Please contact Brad Wetzel, director of admissions, with any questions, 414-453-4567 ext. 1322 or brad.wetzel@wlhs.org.

GUIDED BY FAITH. DRIVEN BY EXCELLENCE.

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Summer Academy Prepares Freshmen

For more than a decade, WLHS has held a Summer Academy to ready incoming freshmen academically and socially for the upcoming school year.

While the Academy is open to all, it’s specifically designed for students who need a boost to meet the school’s academic entrance requirements.

During a rigorous, month-long learning program at WLHS, students concentrate on language arts, mathematics and science. Each class follows a highenergy, activity-based format with a lead teacher and two teaching assistants.

“Our goal is to educate and equip students so they’ll be successful at WLHS and beyond,” says Josh Metzger, director of the Summer Academy.

“In addition to the core subject matter, we cover important soft skills, including verbal and nonverbal communication, organizational habits and personal responsibility.”

Summer Academy simulates a regular high school day to ensure students are familiar with the routine and WLHS’ expectations. Each morning begins with an assembly that focuses on character building topics, such as goal setting, planning for success, becoming Christian leaders and overcoming challenges.

Donald Harris (pictured right) from St. Marcus Lutheran School is a Summer Academy success story.

Harris is now a senior with 3.0 GPA and has become a highly regarded school leader.

He’s currently student body president, served as a captain of the varsity football team and was selected to participate in Badger State Boys, a weeklong summer camp for Wisconsin’s top young men to learn about government and leadership.

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WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL || Winter 2016

“We offer students an overabundance of academic assistance to ensure they start their WLHS career on the right foot,” says Metzger. “Kids who attend Summer Academy can confidently walk through the doors in August already knowing the school, our teachers and other students.”

Developing Young Christian Leaders

As part of the Wisconsin Lutheran High School experience, students are encouraged to serve others and lead by example.

Through Agents of Change (AOC), National Honor Society, Share the Mission and Our Hands for His Service, WLHS offers numerous opportunities for all students to get involved and let their light shine.

“Volunteering is a hands-on way to reflect Christ’s love,” says Principal Phil Leyrer. “While they serve, teens learn the joy of giving and the satisfaction of making a difference. They also discover that their confidence grows when they help others. All this is powerful training for Christian leadership.”

Each year, AOC students lend their willing hands and eager spirit to dozens of WELS churches and grade schools, area nonprofits and local residents.

With more than 120 members, Agents of Change is the largest co-curricular group at WLHS.

During the past six months, students have raked lawns for the elderly, removed invasive species along the Menomonee River Parkway, led a Thanksgiving drive to stock food pantries and volunteered at church and grade school picnics, craft fairs, harvest festivals, trunk-or-treats, Advent services and other special events.

“AOC is an opportunity to serve God with the gifts and talents he’s given you,” says senior Jason Wegner, Mt. Lebanon Lutheran School, Milwaukee.

“I’ve learned that EVERYONE, no matter their age, can share the light of Jesus.”

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The organization is focused on service and sharing the love of Jesus.

Wisco students did much of the behind-the-scenes work for our Bedtime Blessings event—all the while displaying a love for Jesus on their smiling faces.

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—Pastor Eric Schroeder,

St. John Lutheran Church, Wauwatosa

In November, Jason Wegner (pictured right), along with other AOC students, helped organize a school-wide food drive.

GUIDED BY FAITH. DRIVEN BY EXCELLENCE.

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Students Explore Their Interests

In addition to WLHS’ award-winning athletic teams, the school offers a multitude of co-curricular activities.

4 Agents of Change A service organization with six different committees.

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4 Chess Club Everyone from beginners to rated players are welcome.

4 National Honor Society Engages seniors who show leadership skills in community service.

4 Compass Students use their layout and design skills to create the school yearbook.

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4 Page Turners A monthly book club for those who love to read.

Drama Club Meets monthly to help students develop their God-given performance talents.

4 Forensics Members practice and prepare pieces for competition.

4 The Pilot Students write, design and publish the school’s newspaper.

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Tech Team Handles audio and lighting for chapel, concerts, theater productions and special events.

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The Loretta Plautz Fund Unique to WLHS, a group of 40 or more students learn about the stock market and how to research and evaluate stocks. In spring, the students allocate a portion of the earnings from the Plautz portfolio to fund teacher requests for classroom technology, supplies and materials.

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Robotics Each year, the team designs, builds and programs a robot to compete in FIRST Robotics. In 2015, WLHS won the PTC Design Award in the FTC Wisconsin qualifying round and advanced to the state championship.

WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL || Winter 2016

Math Track The team competes against other high schools in a series of meets from October to April.

Co-curricular activities help students make new friends, build confidence, expand their knowledge base and are a plus when applying to college.

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—Skip Bremer, director of the Guidance Department

WLHS Adds Music Spectrum Course

This school year, WLHS students are beating the drum, strumming the guitar and tickling the keyboard in a new, learn-by-doing class that’s open to everyone.

Freshmen to seniors are now able to take a one semester course that introduces them to the world of music. The class is specifically for those who enjoy music but have never taken lessons.

“We’re using popular instruments and hands-on learning to give students a basic understanding of music,” says Marjorie Flanagan, fine arts teacher.

Flanagan explains that the addition of Music Spectrum is timely since more and more colleges and universities are requiring one fine arts credit for admission.

More Music News In November, the WLHS Band was blessed by a visit from two accomplished jazz musicians. Brian Lynch, a Grammy Award-winning jazz trumpeter, and Mark Davis, chair of the Jazz Institute at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, spent an afternoon working with Jazz Ensemble students.

In December, the Jubilation Handbell Choir was featured in a Colder’s Furniture and Appliance television commercial. Jubilation was selected after Marjorie Flanagan, who has a Master’s Degree in Music and leads the 16-member choir, submitted an audition video.

“I’ve always wanted to play an instrument but I wasn’t able to because of the other activities I was in. Music Spectrum has given me a second chance,” senior Jazmen Greer, Garden Homes Lutheran School, Milwaukee.

On Sunday, April 10, at 4 p.m., the WLHS Band, led by Quinten Petersen, will host its Spring Concert. Admission is free for any 4th-8th grade student with a WLHS Passport.

Stay connected to WLHS! GUIDED BY FAITH. DRIVEN BY EXCELLENCE.

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330 North Glenview Avenue Milwaukee WI 53213-3379

YOU Are Invited

ATHLETIC

5TH Grade

EXTRAVAGANZA January 31, 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the WLHS Cafeteria GUIDED BY FAITH. DRIVEN BY EXCELLENCE.

RSVP by January 25, at www.wlhs.org/news

Upcoming events you don’t want to miss!

Kids Carnival at WLHS February 21 1:00-3:30 p.m.

4th Grade “Make a Splash” at Country Springs Hotel, Pewaukee March 7, 5:30 p.m.

6th Grade “Make a Splash” at Country Springs Hotel, Pewaukee March 14, 5:30 p.m.