Schools

Bonduel School District media specialist Lisa Sorlie attended the Energy Institute for Educators, a teacher workshop hosted by the Wisconsin Energy Institute on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus from July 19-21.

The three-day professional development program offers educational professionals the opportunity to learn about the latest developments in energy research, and to discover practical tools and materials for teaching students the fundamentals of energy and sustainable energy systems.

During the institute, Sorlie toured UW-Madison research labs and field sites, learning directly from the scientists and researchers working on sustainable biofuels, solar energy, microgrids and other areas of clean energy research.

Last summer, Sorlie also attended the Bioenergy Institute for Educators and the seven-week Research Experience for Educators.

Karelyn Malliet, of Shawano, recently spent two weeks studying at the Birch Creek Music Performance Center in Egg Harbor.

The Shawano Community High School student was among 20 young musicians from throughout the country to attend the percussion and steel band session at the academy, whose mission is to provide intensive, performance-based instruction to promising young musicians by immersing them in a professional, mentoring environment.

Birch Creek features a student-to-faculty ratio of approximately 2-1. Students are given the opportunity to hone their technical skills and learn firsthand all the aspects of life as a professional musician.

During the two-week residency, Malliet and others attending the percussion and steel band session performed seven concerts alongside their teachers in front of paying concertgoers.

A special celebration was held Tuesday at the Wisconsin Executive Residence in Madison honoring the academic accomplishments of current and former foster youth.

Ryan VanNewKirk, of Shawano, was among the students recognized.

First lady Tonette Walker gave the keynote speech during the Department of Children and Families’ fifth annual Foster Youth Graduation Ceremony. She was joined by DCF Secretary Eloise Anderson and State Superintendent Tony Evers in recognizing the young adults for their recent graduations from high school or for reaching other post-secondary educational milestones.

Menominee Indian High School

Seniors from Menominee Indian High School who took 4x4 classes at the Northeast Wisconsin Technical College were recently recognized for their hard work at the Shawano Regional Learning Center.

The 4x4 classes allow high school students to take one NWTC general studies course at a time. Each class is held four days a week and is completed at the end of four weeks. Students can apply their credits toward a degree at NWTC or transfer credits to a four-year college.

Th MIHS students had an average GPA each year of over 3.0 and took between nine and 21 college credits.

Recently, 13 students were recognized at an informal ceremony in front of their family and friends. Each student received a certificate indicating the number of credits they completed at NWTC.

Fans of “The Sound of Music” can rejoice as Gresham Community School performs the classic musical this week.

The school is performing the junior version of the musical written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, “Getting to Know the Sound of Music,” on Friday and Saturday nights. Nearly 40 students are in the cast.

The musical harkens back to the 1930s, when Nazi Germany was on the rise. Audiences are introduced to Maria, a young postulant in a nunnery who is sent to be a governess for the Von Trapp family, which includes seven children.

As Maria tries to assume her duties of teaching and caring for the children, she introduces the children to the concept of music, something alien to them because their father, Capt. Von Trapp, has forbade any music since the death of his wife years earlier.

Junior Achievement, Wolf River District, presented Olga Brener Intermediate School fifth-grade teacher Karen Preston with the JA Teacher of the Year award on May 26.

JA and the Wolf River District board of directors asked its volunteers to submit nominations and supporting comments for the award. Nominations were then judged by three members of the board.

Principal Terri Schultz arranged to have the presentation take place during a staff meeting. The award was presented by Sandy Ebbinger, JA district director, Marty Monfils, board vice chair, and Kelley Strike, board member.

Comments supporting Preston’s selection included the following:

• “Karen loves her students. Her purpose is simple: transform intermediate level students into students who can and will achieve at the middle school level and beyond.”

With the last of the Class of 2017 graduations concluding this week in Shawano County, here is a glance at the top students at each of the area high schools.

Shawano Community High School

Valedictorian Patrick Brodhagen

Patrick is the son of Roy and Kim Brodhagen. He has achieved a 4.0 grade-point average at SCHS and also participated in Mathematics League, Science Society, Rocketry Club and Astronomy Club. His other special achievements include Optimistic Club Academic Honors and Wisconsin Academic Excellence Scholarship. He plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay to study environmental science and geoscience.

Valedictorian Julia Haarth

Pam Patterson-Anhalt has always had a passion for science.

Soon, she will be able to spend more time working to instill that same passion in students at Shawano Community High School.

The high school faculty member has been chosen among 45 teachers nationally to promote better science education and to debunk myths about the difficulty of scientific research.

The honor from the Society for Science & the Public comes with a $3,000 grant, as well as specialized training in how to mentor young would-be scientists.

Patterson-Anhalt, a former private sector chemist and researcher, is looking forward to working with select students during the 2017-18 academic year who have shown an interest and aptitude for scientific research.

The program is geared toward encouraging students to enter research competitions that often propel young people into science-based career tracks.

“This is really a cool thing,” Patterson-Anhalt said. “I’m thrilled.”

Residents of 26 Wisconsin communities, including members of nine American Indian tribes, received academic degrees and technical diplomas in College of Menominee Nation ceremonies Saturday in Keshena.

Retired founding President S. Verna Fowler presented the guest address, and baccalaureate degree graduate, Lloyd J. Frieson Jr. spoke on behalf of the Class of 2017. Both reside in Keshena.

Saturday ceremonies also honored Dennis Vickers, who was named the American Indian College Fund Faculty Member of the Year. Vickers, who teaches in the college’s humanities program, holds philosophy degrees from the University of Texas (Ph.D.), Bowling Green University (master’s), and University of Wyoming (bachelor’s). A resident of White Lake, he has served on the CMN faculty since 2006.

Here are the graduates:

Bachelor of Arts

Public Administration: Melinda L. Cook, high honors, Shawano, and Lloyd J. Frieson Jr., Keshena.

The 108th Tigerton High School commencement exercise was held Friday at Tigerton High School.

The 22 graduates marched in to “Pomp and Circumstance” by the school band.

Valedictorian Amber Brown and class President Wyatt Mattson, also the salutatorian, addressed the audience.

Hall of Fame awards were given to Philip Salzman, accepted by his widow, Rosemarie, and to Corin Spiegel.

A slideshow of memories was presented. Diplomas were given out by District Administrator Benjamin Rayome and school board President Bonnie Levandoski.

The graduates marched out to “Premiere Suite.”