News

WLHS alumna Kate (Koepke) Wood ('08) traveled to Kenya with a team of volunteers and the Central Africa Medical Mission to support a short-term medical camp. Partnering with Karima Lutheran Church, they not only provided medical care to nearly 2,000 patients but also shared the gospel message with the local community. Click here to read about her experience and the impact of their mission work.

WLHS alumna Lisa (Johnson) Joplin ('81) was recognized in the MIlwaukee Journal Sentinel for being a leader—on the basketball court, in law enforcement, and now in her own business. A former standout player at Wisconsin Lutheran High School and Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Lisa went on to serve as a Milwaukee police officer for 25 years before retiring to pursue her passion for hairstyling. Today, she runs a shop that has become more than just a salon; it’s a refuge for Marquette basketball players, including her son, David, where they can relax, recharge, and get the perfect look before game day. Click here to read more about Lisa’s inspiring journey and impact.

The 2025 spring pop-up store for official WLHS Viking apparel is now open! Click here to shop online. The spring store will be open through Wednesday April 2, just in time for fans to show their support during the spring sports season. Shipping is offered throughout the United States. However, shipping is free if you are able to pick up your purchase at Wisconsin Lutheran High School. Select FREE "ship to your school" as your shipping preference.
 
Items rotate as these pop-up stores are offered. Take a look, and see what's new.

All current students have completed the course request portion of the scheduling process. Course requests are final at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 21, and no course request changes will be accepted after this time for the 2025-26 school year. If students have a conflict with their course request(s) or do not pass a required course, their alternate course request will be selected. Parents are encouraged to go over the course requests and alternate requests with their students. 

Beginning Monday, March 31, flex will move to the end of the day from 2:30-3:00 p.m. This change in schedule minimizes loss of class time for our spring athletes and coaches. Late start Wednesdays will remain the same. Click here for the new schedules.

Juniors and seniors do not have school on Tuesday, April 1. Freshmen and sophomores are taking the required PreACT.

On Tuesday, April 1, freshman and sophomore students will take the DPI required PreACT at Wisconsin Lutheran High School. PreACT is a summative assessment that measures what students have learned in the areas of English, reading, math, and science. It is a required day of school for ALL freshmen and sophomores. Students should come with a charged chromebook as the test is all online. Breakfast is available until 7:45 a.m., but lunch will not be served. Dismissal is at 11:15 a.m.

Wisco seniors learned important lessons about finances at the Reality Store on March 18. After receiving an assigned life situation (marital status, children, debt, etc.), along with a "paycheck" based on the job they hope to get, students stopped at various stations to create a budget. Along the way, students "run into" real life expenses such as car repairs, medical bills, or child care. Thank you to all our volunteers who helped to make this event valuable for our students!

There is no school March 24-28 during our spring break. School offices will have limited hours. Classes will resume Monday, March 31. 

Our spring break runs from March 24-28. During this time, classes will not be in session. Our offices and building will remain open with limited hours. The Weekly E-News will also be on hiatus, with the next edition arriving on Wednesday, April 2. For any unexpected updates, stay connected via email, our website, text and app notifications, and robocalls.

The following is an update on the recent calls that our staff received ant that WLHS extended:

• Mr. Joe Janke ('08) returned his call to serve as a high school English teacher at Divine Savior Academy in Doral, Florida.
• Campus Pastor Phil Huebner ('99) returned his call to be the president of Illinois Lutheran Schools.

All current students will have completed the course request portion of the scheduling process by the end of the third week in February. Course requests are final at 1 PM on Friday, March 21, 2025. After this date, students will need to complete the courses they have requested for the entire 2025-26 school year. If students have a conflict with their course request(s) or do not pass a required course, their alternate course request will be selected. 

Please note: Juniors interested in Youth Apprenticeship, Dual Enrollment Academy, or any other Dual Credit Opportunities must submit their application and notify your School Counselor by March 1, 2025. Students who miss this deadline will not be able to register for these capstone experiences after March 1.

Under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) rule, all primary and secondary schools are required to develop and implement a plan for managing all building materials which contain asbestos. Included in the AHERA Act is the requirement to annually notify all workers and building occupants (or their guardians) of asbestos-related activities. Beginning in 1988, all buildings owned, leased, or under the control of WLHS were inspected by EPA accredited inspectors, with building material samples analyzed by an independent laboratory.

• Doors open: 5:30 p.m. (all attendees must arrive by 7:00 p.m.)
• Dinner: 6:15 p.m.
• Dancing: 7:30-10:30 p.m.

Juniors must take the ACT on Tuesday, March 18. This is a required day of school. Arrive by 7:30 a.m. with a fully charged Chromebook as the test is done online. A limited grab-and-go breakfast will be available. Students may bring a calculator for the math section, but none will be provided. Late arrivals will not be admitted. There is no cost, and scores are needed for most college applications. Stop by Student Services to set up an ACT account and get a prep booklet. Dismissal is at 12:30 p.m.

On Tuesday, March 18, seniors will pick up their free cap and gown packets for graduation when they get their graduation headshot photos taken. Included in the cap and gown packet are 10 tickets for the graduation ceremony. These are the only tickets each senior will receive. 

Sixty-three students interested in the healthcare field visited the Waukesha County Business Alliance's Discover the Future of Health Care Expo. Students had the opportunity to explore various career pathways and participate in hands-on demonstrations in the healthcare industry such as: inserting an IV, taking blood pressure, using a pig lung to help learn about the respiratory therapies, and learning how a medical professional might respond to different medical needs through the use of an AI mannequin.

Students will be dismissed at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 21, due to a variety of scheduled activities. That same day, WLHS will also welcome the Martin Luther College choir to enrich our chapel service. Students not participating in an after school activity should leave campus by 1:15 p.m. Click here for the schedule. Lunch will be available as part of the school schedule.

There will be no school for all freshmen and sophomores on Tuesday, March 18, due to juniors taking the ACT and the seniors participating in the Reality Store. Freshmen and sophomores will be taking the PreACT on April 1. This is a required day of school for them.

The RaiseRight year ends on Monday, March 31. There are three dates left to order, March 17, 24, and 31. RaiseRight and Reload orders can be placed through Monday, March 31 (click here for more info) and will be credited for the current rebate year. RaiseRight rebates will be finalized the first few weeks of April and applied to either your tuition account, a rebate check, or rolling it over for future use. If you have a change of rebate request or if you do not remember what you chose, E-mail raiseright@wlhs.org in the next week. We will follow your original designation if not contacted. Beginning Tuesday, April 1, all proceeds for purchases will be credited towards the 2025-26 school year.

On Tuesday, March 18, all seniors will participate in the annual Reality Store, under Business Department Coordinator Mr. Jason Goede's direction. The goal of this event is to teach our seniors how to spend, share, and save their God-given finances. Volunteers come in to help teach financial literacy to the students as they walk through a month of bill paying and dealing with the unexpected expenses (e.g. car repairs, medical bills) that adults experience. This is a mandatory school day for seniors. Students will be dismissed by 1:00 p.m. A limited grab and go breakfast will be served until 8:45 a.m.

Everyone is invited to an evening of music on Thursday, March 20, at 7:00 p.m. in the WLHS auditorium as the wind and symphonic ensembles perform their spring concert. Jazz, percussion, brass, string, and woodwind ensembles will also perform. Seating is general admission. A livestream link to the concert can be found on the WLHS YouTube page here.

Each year, students in the WLHS Residential Program look forward to the annual overnight school “lock-in.”

The Annual Preparing for College Webinar Series for parents of college-bound students is coming up presented by SoFi. This informative series covers the information and insights needed to help navigate college financing. Below are the topics, dates and times of these webinars:

College Possible is now accepting applications for rising juniors and seniors! This pre-college program provides valuable support with ACT preparation, essay writing, college and scholarship applications, and financial aid guidance. Participants will meet once or twice a week during their free period or after school. To be eligible, students must meet specific GPA, academic, and financial requirements. Don't miss this opportunity to set yourself up for college success! Click here to complete an application to be in the College Possible program.

WLHS will participate in the second year of the University of Wisconsin's Direct Admissions program which will begin in the summer of 2025. School Counselors will meet with juniors in January and April to explain the program in detail as more information is shared with WLHS from the state. Parents of current juniors have received an email to fill out the opt in or opt out form in onCampus (top banner) by March 21, 2025. If you would like to learn more about the program please click here. If you have further questions please reach out to Mr. Davis, Director of Student Services.

On a quiet day of winter break, WLHS offered students from Honey Creek Hall dormitory the opportunity to have a campus tour day at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

The WELS National Band Fest gathers the top musicians from WELS Lutheran High Schools for a weekend of mutually-edifying performance with their peers. This year, nine students from Wisco were selected for this distinct honor. The WELS National Band Fest is March 7-9 at Martin Luther College (MLC), New Ulm, Minn. The theme is Instruments of Praise. The head clinician is Dr. Miles Wurster, director of instrumental music at MLC and Mr. Wes Schmandt, instructor at Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School, is the percussion clinician. The culminating concert is Sunday, March 9 at 2:00 p.m. You can join via livestream at the link here.

Sunday, March 9, marks the beginning of daylight saving time. Remember to set your clocks ahead one hour Saturday night. While this means we will lose an hour of sleep Saturday night, we look forward to the extra hours of sunlight and hopefully spring-like weather to come!

Enrollment Contracts for all returning students (MPCP/WPCP/tuition) are due Friday, March 14. Enrollment contracts for returning student tuition only contracts must include the non-refundable deposit which will go towards your student's total tuition. Enrollment contracts were sent out February 28 and are available in your onCampus account (login here). MPCP enrollment contracts for new students are due Friday, March 7.

Students in Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) throughout the state were invited to FBLA Day with the Milwaukee Bucks at the Fiserv Forum. This was the first year that WLHS FBLA attended this event. While the highlight of the day was attending the Bucks vs LA Clippers game in the evening, earlier in the day students were given a backstage pass to see what it's like to run a basketball team — from ticket sales, to digital media, even land acquisition and building projects. The day was filled with a keynote speaker, tours, and meetings with executive leadership and staff.

Mr. McEachern’s AP Biology class genetically engineered bacteria which added genes for antibiotic resistance, lactose digestion, and the ability to glow. The bacteria were heat-shocked using a PCR thermocycler so that the bacteria could absorb and express the new genes.

Congratulations to the Wisco rock climbing team who competed in the top rope competition on their way to State finals. The climbers battled hard throughout the day and showed amazing talent. Brady Gottschalk ('28), a first year climber on the team, competed in the second highest division and after doing so well in his division, he was bumped to the highest division mid-day. Both Talia Meister ('26) and Caden Schaffer ('27) took home second place in the top divisions. The Wisco team took home fifth place which moves them on to State competition in April.

WLHS took its final bow on the spectacular 2025 musical production of Singin’ in the Rain. With a performance for grade schools and one weekend only of public shows, the production welcomed nearly 3,000 guests. More than 100 talented students brought this golden era of Hollywood classic films musical to life, showcasing their dedication both on and off the stage. A heartfelt thank you to the incredible cast, crew, and staff who made this production an unforgettable success!

Congratulations to senior Madelynn Festerling who signed with University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) for their women's soccer program. UIS competes in the National Collegiate Association (NCAA) Division 2. Madelynn has led her team as captain since her junior year. She plays the forward/striker position and is the leading scorer with over 70 goals in her Viking career. Madelynn has also received WIAA All-Conference honors the past two years. We wish her God's richest blessings at UIS!

In an effort to consolidate WLHS livestream, our chapel services can now be found on YouTube under the WLHS Vikings channel. Please be sure to change any web browser bookmarks to youtube.com/WLHSVikings. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to stay up to date with live events and recordings of not only chapel services, but also sporting events, concerts, presentations, and more!

Do you have yard work or spring cleaning that needs to get done such as hedge trimming, or window washing? Consider hiring hard-working members of WLHS student council for a few hours for a free-will donation. All money raised will go to the 2024-25 WLHS mission project for the WELS London mission congregation and Lutherans for Life. Work days will be held on any Saturday or Sunday starting April 5 & 6 through April 26 & 27, excluding Easter weekend (April 19 & 20). To request a team, please E-mail workdays@wlhs.org and include your name, address, phone number, the work you need accomplished, and the day(s) this work could be completed.

WLHS is pleased to provide each senior with a free graduation yard sign. Signs may be customized with the student's first name or simply grad. Additional signs are available for purchase at the cost of $10 per sign. Information was e-mailed on February 25 to all seniors and their parents. The deadline to order your sign is Friday, March 21. Seniors may pick up their signs, along with their yearbook, on Thursday, May 15.

In February, Director of Technology Mr. Peter Iles attended a special conference at Divine Savior Lutheran Church and School in Doral, Florida, joining 30 other ministry leaders to explore the evolving opportunities presented by artificial intelligence (AI). Keynote speakers and breakout sessions inspired engaging discussions on how AI can be effectively utilized within both church and school environments. Attendees brought back a variety of tools and innovative ideas to Wisco, with the goal of leveraging these advancements while ensuring that our students are equipped for a future where AI will play a significant role.

Congratulations to our former athletic director, Mr. Jeff Sitz ('74), who will be inducted into the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) 2025 Hall of Fame. Jeff was nominated as a leader of education-based athletics at the state and national level. He will be inducted at the 56th Annual National Athletic Directors Conference, December 11-15, in Phoenix.

Students are invited to brush up or simply learn more about musical theatre through a series of four workshops offered at the high school. Click here to register. Cost per workshop is $10. Classes will be led by Ms. Abby Bloomquist ('18) and proceeds will go to support the International Thespian Society at WLHS.

Be aware that any medical dietary needs entered into a student's OnCampus account are not automatically communicated to the school food service company. To ensure that dietary accommodations are properly addressed, families must complete the official medical dietary needs form and submit it to the Food Service Director at chef@wlhs.org or the school nurse at nurse@wlhs.org or fax to 608-927-0395. This form is required for all special dietary requests, including allergies, intolerances, and other medical-related food accommodations. Thank you for your cooperation in helping us provide safe and appropriate meal options for all students. Click on the read more link to access the forms.

On February 25, WLHS held its third assembly of the year. The title of the assembly was I Struggle, Too. After a devotion by Campus Pastor Phil Huebner ('99), seniors Leah Lawrence, Isaiah Mellock, and Shelby Sadler shared some of their personal stories of struggle and how God guided them through it. Afterwards, Pastor Huebner had an open panel discussion with seniors Kylah Alexander, Annabelle Coudron, Julianna Kulhanek, Alex Greene, and Josiah Rice. These students shared some of their experiences with struggles through the years, gave great advice to fellow students, and shared some encouragement from God’s Word. The assembly closed with the singing of He Will Hold Me Fast which was a powerful reminder of God's unwavering love.

Eight WLHS wrestlers qualified this past weekend to compete at the 2025 WIAA Individual State Championships. Congratulations to Reina Ebeling ('28), Dakota Allen ('25), Leah Lawrence ('25), Maraihya Brown ('25), Izabella Riebe ('26), Amos Ebeling ('25), John Torres-Stewart ('25), and Mason Renau ('26). All of these wrestlers will be competing at the Kohl Center (601 W. Dayton Street) in Madison. Matches begin Thursday, February 27 at 2:00 p.m. Click here for the full schedule of events. Go Vikings!

Beginning Friday, February 28, enrollment contracts will be available in your onCampus account (login here). A non-refundable enrollment deposit per student is required by Friday, March 14, to reserve your student's seat for the upcoming school year and to ensure course scheduling priority. This deposit is part of your student's total tuition for the school year, not an additional fee. The enrollment deposit does not apply to MPCP or WPCP students; however, ALL families need to complete the enrollment contract. The MPCP and WPCP enrollment contracts are due by Friday, March 7. The enrollment deposit is due at the time you submit your enrollment contract by electronic check or credit card. Regular monthly payments are due on the 1st or 15th of the month depending on the date chosen in the contract. Monthly payments can be made in person at WLHS (cash or check), via electronic check or credit card in your Tuition Management account through onCampus, or over the phone with Smart Tuition (888-868-8828).

Winter break is next Thursday and Friday, March 6 & 7. There will be no school those days. School office hours will be 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Classes resume on Monday, March 10.

On February 21 & 22, the WLHS music department participated in the 2025 Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) District Solo & Ensemble Festival.  With more than 130 students participating in 70 different events, Wisco brought home 280 gold medals and 31 silver medals. Soloists from every graduation year earned trips to the state festival. Congratulations to all who participated! Click here for a list of performers.

Students in the WLHS Residential Program attended a professional basketball game in February. Our hometown, playoff-bound Milwaukee Bucks battled against the Miami Heat, with the Bucks coming from behind to earn a hard-fought 120-113 victory. After the game, the WLHS group was ushered onto the court for a special photo opportunity.

This week School Counselors are delivering The Resilience Project (the fifth of six lessons) which teaches young adults about how to overcome setbacks and challenges in life. Module 5 focused on emotional regulation, incorporating scriptural applications and teaching students how to recognize and manage their emotions effectively. 

The Resilience Project which is part of the WLHS School Wellness Plan is offered in partnership with Christian Family Solutions who has developed the six part series to assist WELS High Schools. If you would like to learn more, click here or reach out to your child's school counselor.

Please click here and here to learn more about these Navy events in the Milwaukee area.

WLHS opened its doors on February 16 to dozens of grade school children for the annual Kids Carnival. Children participated in games, face painting, crafts, and more with the help of Student Council members. The event raised nearly $1,000 towards this year's Our Hands For His Service mission projects: WELS mission church in London and Lutherans for Life.

Everyone is invited to participate in the WLHS Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy cornhole tournament at Wisconsin Lutheran High School on Saturday, March 1, starting at 11:00 a.m. Get ready for a fun-filled event with cash prizes, exciting raffles, and other great prizes up for grabs! Chick-fil-A food will be available at the concession stand, so come hungry and enjoy the excitement. Click here to register. $30 entry fee per team will be paid at the door.

The Wisco family is twice blessed! On February 12, Mrs. Knight and her husband, Matthew, welcomed twin boys, James and Levi. The dynamic duo join proud big sister Keyra, making the Knight household a lively trio of siblings. Mrs. Knight will be on maternity leave the rest of the semester, enjoying every precious moment with her growing family. We celebrate with the Knights and are happy to share that mom and babies are doing well.

Are you interested in donating blood? Register to donate on Monday, February 24 (sign up here) or Tuesday, February 25 (sign up here). The blood drive is held in the atrium at WLHS. Sign-ups are open until the day of the drive. Students who are 16-years-old and wish to donate blood will need to have the parental consent form here filled out. Please consider donating to save up to three lives!

Congratulations to our seniors Tommy Doerr, Amos Ebeling, and John Torres-Stewart who have advanced to National Merit Finalist standing. Tommy, Amos, and John are now in the top ten percent of the more than 1.5 million students who initially entered the National Merit Scholarship Competition their junior year.

Congratulations to senior Annabelle Coudron who signed with Eastern Illinois University (EIU) for their women's track and field program. EIU Panthers compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1. Annabelle is a nine-time WIAA State qualifier and has earned two state medals. She also holds six school sprint records, including the 100 and 200 dashes.

• The difference between student aptitudes and interests in career pathways
• The importance of career exposure in solving workforce challenges
• How educators and businesses can guide students toward high-demand careers
• Opportunities to build sustainable talent pipelines for the future

Please click here to view the entire report.

Students on a Viking Christian Leader Academy (VCLA) Impact team volunteered their time to make tie blankets for the Ronald McDonald House of Wauwatosa. The service project, initiated by VCLA member Lauren Van Landeghem ('26), used Thrivent grants to purchase the materials, and then blanket-making directions were taught by Lauren.

On Friday, February 28, the WLHS Choral Associates will host "Spaghetti & Songs," an evening of dinner and entertainment featuring Wisco Kids and One Accord, WLHS co-curricular vocal ensembles. Dinner is served from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the cafeteria. The meal is "all-you-can-eat" and includes spaghetti with red sauce or chicken alfredo, garlic bread, salad, beverages, and desserts. Tickets can be purchased at the door: $10 for adults and $7 for students through high school. Children three-and-under eat free.

On February 11, WLHS celebrated Black History Month with a school-wide assembly under the theme "Reconstructing our Roots - Rediscovering our cultural identity, history, values, and faith through the church." Assistant Principal CL Whiteside ('06) opened with a message from Matthew 20:20-28 about what it means to accept the world's identity packages, when what we should be accepting is our identity in Christ.

Open enrollment for the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP) is going on now. All current WLHS families participating in MPCP must re-apply online each year at the link here. MPCP families can email documents to choice@wlhs.org. Open enrollment closes Thursday, February 20. For more information about MPCP, click here.

There is no school for students on Presidents' Day, Monday, February 17. Teachers have professional development. School offices will have limited hours.

The first Wednesday in February is National Signing Day. It has traditionally been the first day that a high school senior can sign a binding National Letter of intent for a collegiate sport with a school that is a Division II member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Congratulations to our seven senior boys who signed letters of intent to play football at their respective colleges next fall:

Looking for a productive and fun experience for your grade school children this summer? Summer camp at Wisconsin Lutheran High School allows students to explore a wide choice of activities and interests in a Christian setting. Camps include a variety of sports, art, theater, music, robotics, and more! For more information, visit wlhs.org/explorers. Registration opens today, February 12, at noon!

The following is an update on the calls that were received at Wisconsin Lutheran High School:

• Mr. James Brandt accepted the call to be the Asia One Team Leader in Thailand.
• Mr. Joe Janke ('08) received a call to serve as a high school English Teacher at Divine Savior Academy in Doral, Florida.

• Teachers will post assignments or activities in onCampus by 7:45 a.m. for the scheduled rotation day.
• Assignments must be completed and submitted by 3:00 p.m. on the same day.
• Attendance will be recorded by 3:00 p.m. based on assignment submission.

• Students are marked present if they submit their assignments or activities by 3:00 p.m.
• Students are marked unexcused absent if assignments are not submitted by the deadline.

International students new to WLHS this school year, along with their American mentors, experienced a snow tubing activity on February 5.

As we honor National Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, WLHS is highlighting two of its most innovative and impactful programs—the Trade, Technology, and Engineering Pathway and the Information Technology Pathway. With the theme “Building and Moving,” these pathways empower students to develop the skills and knowledge needed to drive progress in the rapidly evolving fields of construction, advanced manufacturing, engineering, technology, and IT. Through hands-on experiences, collaboration, and problem-solving, students are actively shaping the future of industry and innovation.

As we honor National Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, WLHS is highlighting its Family, Consumer Sciences, and Fine Arts Pathway, a program that fosters creativity, skill-building, and hands-on learning. With the theme “Creating and Experiencing,” the pathway empowers students to explore their passions in fields like culinary arts, interior design, fashion, child development, and visual and performing arts. Through practical learning and artistic expression, students are discovering the power of creating and experiencing the world God has created around them.

A group of students recently attended an Actuarial Science Career Day hosted by Northwestern Mutual and Milliman, two major firms in the financial and insurance industries. The event provided an in-depth look at the actuarial profession, offering students valuable insights into career paths that blend mathematics, statistics, and business. During the visit, students had the opportunity to engage with professional actuaries, learn about risk management, and participate in interactive workshops that demonstrated real-world applications of actuarial science. Industry experts shared their experiences, discussed the importance of analytical skills in decision-making, and provided guidance on college programs and certifications needed to become an actuary.

In honor of National Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, WLHS is spotlighting the impact of its Education, Training, Public Ministry, and Service Pathway and Health Science Pathway which plays a pivotal role in preparing students for careers that prioritize community service, education, and support for others. The program’s focus on compassion, leadership, and service underscores the school's commitment to fostering the next generation of Christian professionals who are dedicated to making a positive difference in their communities.

Students interested in healthcare careers now have more opportunities than ever to gain hands-on experience through career-based learning programs. With the growing demand for medical professionals, schools and industry partners are working together to offer students a head start in the field. Please click here to learn more!

Winter Festival 2025 "in the Bayou" was a hopping success! The week's activities included dress-up days, a movie night, competitive dodgeball tournament, and more. At the festival pep rally, cheer, dance, and the step teams performed, classes competed for the loudest battle cry, and basketball and wrestling teams were introduced. Senior Collin Neumann was crowned Festival King.

February marks National Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, celebrating high school programs that prepare students for high-demand careers. CTE offers hands-on training in fields like business, education, entertainment, healthcare, technology, manufacturing, and skilled trades, providing students with technical skills and industry certifications that make them job-ready after graduation, and helps bridge the gap between education and workforce needs.

On February 1, Future Business Leaders of America students attended the regional leadership conference. Congratulations to the six students from WLHS who qualified for State! They are Adalin Bogenschneider ('25), Jenna Goelz ('25), Allen Zhu ('26), Star Smith ('27), and the team of Eisley Gallun ('28) & Jeremiah Washington ('27). Special recognition goes to Adalin and Star who received first place finishes in their categories. Additionally, seven members from the WLHS FBLA team qualified as alternatives that can still make it to State. FBLA State Leadership Conference will be held on March 31–April 1, 2025 at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay.

Singin' in the Rain will be presented at Wisconsin Lutheran High School on Friday and Saturday, February 28 and March 1 at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 2 at 1:00 p.m. Purchase tickets in advance online for a discounted rate here.

Congratulations to Hope Larabee ('25) who was awarded second place for her original work in the Scholastic Art & Writing Competition for Southeastern Wisconsin. About 110,000 teens submitted written work in various categories. Hope competed in the science fiction & fantasy category and placed in the top 1% percent who were awarded. "I started writing during COVID," Hope says. "My teachers always encouraged me to send in my compositions to various competitions. When I opened the Scholastic letter, I was excited to see that I had won."

The Wisconsin Project is an independent program run by the Wisconsin Optometric Association (WOA), a non-profit association of optometrists. The program offers comprehensive eye care services to children age 18 and under who are from low income, working families and have no insurance which covers vision and eye health care. For more information and to submit an application, visit their website here or contact student counselor Katie Chavez at katie.chavez@wlhs.org.

The first week of February is recognized as National School Counseling Week, a time to observe the crucial role school counselors play in shaping the academic, emotional, and social growth of students. This year’s theme, “School Counseling: Helping Students Thrive,” underscores the impact counselors have on students’ academic journeys and personal development. From providing guidance on career choices to helping students navigate personal challenges, school counselors are integral to a well-rounded educational experience.

WLHS is happy to introduce Mr. Mark Sward to the science department. Mr. Sward will be covering for Mrs. Lindsay Knight's chemistry classes when she starts her maternity leave this month. Retired from service in the army since 2015, Mr. Sward previously worked at Kennedy Elementary in Grafton. He is a graduate of Concordia University and worships at Morning Star Lutheran Church in Grafton. Welcome to WLHS, Mr. Sward!

Juniors: Please consider utilizing Method Learning for ACT and SAT Test Prep and Financial Literacy and save your careers of interest in your Xello account. Start Your Career Adventure and Understanding Your Career Matches.

Parents: Please consider helping your child work through the ongoing activities in Xello or by inputting their information from their Xello account using these tools - plans, goals, resumes, and portfolios. Parents who have not yet set up their family account recently received an email invitation (2/3/25) to complete the setup.  

At the pep rally on Friday, January 31, one of these three senior boys will be crowned as the 2025 Festival King. Pictured left to right are: Collin Neumann, Logan Hoffman, and Tommy Doerr. They will be escorted by Kyah Schuessler, Morgan Festerling, and Sylvia Scott, respectively.

Join us for 2025 Winter Festival pep rally in the main gymnasium at school on Friday, January 31, at 2:15 p.m. We will follow our pep rally schedule found here. Classes end at 2:15 p.m. to allow for an all-school pep rally which concludes at 3:00 p.m. Parents are welcome to join us, but be ready for some noise!

International students rang in the 2025 New Year with a celebration of world cultures at the annual Global New Year party. The gathering brought together international students, faculty members, and American student mentors for an evening of cross-cultural exchange and fun. Dinner included a variety of delicious international cuisines from local restaurants and the WLHS catering provider. Students participated in traditional games and crafts, including Five Stones, Wei Qi, Chinese lantern making, Brazilian Carnival masks, and more. A lively trivia game tested participants' knowledge of world customs and traditions, while a photo booth captured memorable moments of lasting friendships. The celebration closed with students and faculty taking the microphone for karaoke, which lasted into the night.

During the month of January, the Wisco football team has partnered with our WLHS Conference Elementary Schools for the Reading Buddy Program. Pictured here are visits to St. John's, Mukwonago, St. Paul's, Muskego, Christ, Big Bend, Risen Savior, Milwaukee, Atonement, Milwaukee, Mt. Calvary, Waukesha, Christ the Lord, Brookfield, and Star of Bethlehem, New Berlin. The football team is visiting a total of 14 grade schools, so stay tuned to see if they visit your school next!

WLHS has a partnership with St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church and School on the Caribbean island of Antigua. Campus Pastor Phil Huebner ('99) and six Wisco students traveled there recently to deliver nine new laptops and almost 100 Bibles to enhance a new family ministry initiative on their campus. Students also helped with landscaping work and participated in Bible study with the youth group. St. John's congregation is flourishing and the school has more than 350 students from preschool through grade 6. Wisco is blessed to continue their long-standing partnership with this mission.

How fast do you have to have "it?" Our culture tells us to find a microwave to speed up the process. Click here to listen to WLHS Assistant Principal C.L. Whiteside's ('06) podcast, The Non-Microwaved Truth. In Mr. Whiteside's newest episode, "Twisted Truths," he examines misinterpretations of God's Word that have led people astray and explains why sticking to the absolute truth is more crucial than ever. You won't want to miss these eye-opening nonmicrowaved truths!

Students in grades 6-12 were invited to the WLHS Trades Fair on January 23, where a wide range of skilled trade and tech colleges were in attendance for questions, discovery, and demonstrations. Students were invited to explore hands-on activities such as welding and electrical circuit projects. Discussions with industry professionals provided valuable insights into the recommended career paths for students' specific area of interest. We thank our local businesses who took part in the trades fair, including:

The cast of Singin' in the Rain had a Hollywood moment with special thanks to the Mitchell Park Domes. Students worked with the award winning film crew from Tall Tale Broadcasting and Media Production to record some of the filmed portions of Singin' in the Rain at the Domes. These scenes are sure to "strike a chord" on the WLHS stage February 28-March 1. Don't miss out, tickets go on sale Monday, February 10, at 10:00 a.m.

We want the meal program at our school to be the best it can be. WLHS food service company, Taher, is asking students and parents to take a brief survey by clicking here. Thank you in advance for taking the time to answer the questions to help Taher better serve our school.

WLHS partners with many colleges or universities throughout the area or region. Providing student's many dual credit opportunities allows a tailored fit for every Academic and Career Plan. The variety of institutions and programs available to our students is strategic providing access to the right courses and experiences that align with our Career Pathways. This month we are highlighting UW-Milwaukee offerings through WLHS. If you would like to learn more about UW-Milwaukee please click here.

There is big news for Career Technical Education (CTE) programs, professionals and the learners they serve! Advance CTE has just released a modernized National Career Clusters® Framework that is intended to be an industry-driven, learner centered, and inclusive roadmap for learners to explore and prepare for good jobs across the entire world of work. The Framework has served as the foundation of CTE programs across the nation for more than two decades, but to meet the rapidly changing world of work and the skills and knowledge learners need to navigate and enter that world required a more modern and dynamic Framework. Below are the new categories that will provide a vision for our future workplace and the counsel we provide students. Please click here for more details including an interactive graphic about each individual career cluster. 

Caring for Communities
- Education
- Health Care and Human Services
- Public Service and Safety 

Building and Moving
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Construction
- Supply Chain and Transportation

Cross Cutting Clusters
- Digital Technology
- Management & Entrepreneurship
- Marketing & Sales

Creating Experiences
- Arts, Entertainment & Design
- Hospitality, Events & Tourism

Cultivating Resources
- Agriculture 
- Energy & Natural Resources

Investing in the Future
- Financial Services

WLHS has partnered with CESA 6 for Youth Apprenticeship (YA) to help support Academic and Career Plans (ACPs) for our students. Students who sign up for this program will be assigned a career coach to help onboard, counsel, and support them throughout the program. If you are interested in attending a virtual information session about YA with CESA 6, click here to register.

In addition, for juniors, a recruitment and informational session about YA will be held on Monday, February 10, 2025, during flex period, with YA Coordinator Ms. Amy Richter. If you have any questions, E-mail Ms. Richter at arichter@cesa6.org or make plans to sign up in your flex account as the date approaches.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) is curriculum designed to improve completion of school and to prepare students for potential careers in a diverse world. The needed skills and experiences that a CTE area-focused curriculum has cover gaps that the traditional educational model can’t provide. CTE includes a program of study that involves a multi-year sequence of courses that integrates core academic knowledge with technical and occupational knowledge to provide a pathway to post-secondary careers. In addition to preparing students for college and careers, CTE focuses on life readiness including the soft skills needed to be successful after high school. Wisco partners with students to be to be college, career, and life ready.

Seniors interested in a program that will help them secure a job after high school or help support their future career path can click here to learn more about Wisconsin Registered Apprenticeships. Below are the various career paths available outside of school hours or when you graduate through the Department of Workforce Development. 

- Agriculture
- Construction
- Finance
- Health Care
- Industrial & Manufacturing
- Information Technology (IT)
- Service
- Transportation
- Utilities

Wisconsin Lutheran High School is pleased to announce the academic top ten for the Class of 2025:

1. Amos Ebeling (St. John's Lutheran Church & School, Wauwatosa)
2. Wanchun (Sarah) Lin (Shanghai, China)
3. Makayla Wendl (Faith Lutheran Church, Sussex & Zion Lutheran School, Hartland)
4. Elza Hofer (Living Hope Lutheran Church, West Allis & Frank Lloyd Wright School, West Allis)
5. Alex Enslen (Christ Lutheran Church & School, Big Bend)
6. Kaitlyn Oldenburg (Christ the Lord Lutheran Church & School, Brookfield)
7. Lauren Roedel (St. Paul's Lutheran Church & School, Franklin)
8. Thomas Doerr (Garden Homes Lutheran Church, Milwaukee & Homeschool)
9. Luke Koeller (St. Jacobi Lutheran Church & School, Greenfield)
10. Sydney Vitangcol (St. John's Lutheran Church & School, Wauwatosa)

WLHS held its annual "In the Image" Fashion Show on January 20. The event presents fashions from a variety of vendors as modeled by WLHS students. This year, the Sharon A. Schoeneck (’79) "In the Image" Scholarship was awarded to three junior female students, Clara Schulz ('26), Josie Prosser ('26), and Jenna Walter ('26), who have achieved academic success and demonstrated community and volunteer service.

The New Berlin Junior Woman's Club (NBJWC) is excited to announce their 6th annual Pop-up Boutique held at the New Berlin Community Center (14750 W. Cleveland Ave., New Berlin) on January 25 & 26. This is an opportunity to sell your prom, homecoming, winter formal dresses as well as cocktail and evening gowns. All items must be clean, untorn, and in saleable condition.

WLHS is excited to welcome back alum Ryan Oertel ('93) as the Executive Director of WLHS Foundation and Mission Advancement. Ryan previously served at Wisconsin Lutheran College as Vice President of Operations. Ryan and his wife, Jenni, have four children who are currently attending or alumni at WLHS including: Mikayla ('19), Samuel ('21), Noah ('23), and Liam ('28). The Oertel family worships at Grace Lutheran Church in Milwaukee.

We are thrilled to introduce Sarah (Horn) Proeber ('07) as the new Director of Alumni Relations for Wisconsin Lutheran High School. Our alumni network is a vital part of the WLHS legacy, and we are excited for Sarah to work to strengthen these bonds. Sarah and her husband, David ('07), have three children Owen (8), Elsa (6), and Louis (3). The Proeber family attends Christ the Lord Lutheran Church in Brookfield. Welcome back to Wisco, Sarah!

As a convenience to our families, Blackbaud Tuition Management provides year end statements that list payments made to a family's Tuition Management account for the 2024 calendar year and includes the required tax ID number for Wisconsin Lutheran. Access your statement by logging in to your account through onCampus here, click on Resources, then Smart Tuition. From there you can click on "Family Year End Statement" which will trigger a PDF download to your computer. If you have any questions, contact Ms. Katie Lindemann at katie.lindemann@wlhs.org.

UPDATE: Online sales are now closed. You may still purchase tokens and wristbands at the door.

Step right up and try your luck at over 45 fun games! Wisconsin Lutheran High School will be hosting the Kids Carnival on Sunday, February 16, from 1:00-3:30 p.m. Children age 3 through 3rd grade are invited to play games, meet live animals, and participate in other fun activities. Carnival tokens and wristbands can be purchased at the door, or online by clicking here.

The WLHS Trades Fair will be held on Thursday, January 23, in the school's atrium and upper lobby. Individuals from local companies will meet with students to help them learn and explore potential career pathways. Any student in grades 6-12 is invited to attend and meet with WLHS staff in Student Services and our Trade, Technology, and Engineering Departments.

Festival in the Bayou based on the Disney movie Princess and the Frog is the theme for 2025 Festival. Student council has planned exciting dress-up days, lunch-time activities, a movie night, dodgeball tournament, pep rally when a Festival king is crowned, and a dance.

On Friday, January 17, Wisconsin Lutheran High School will hold its annual worship service to thank God for the civil rights movement. The theme of the service is taken from our text in Romans 12:1-2, God gives liberating rights. Assistant Principal C.L. Whiteside will give the address. Our student led gospel choir will perform. The service will be livestreamed here at 9:45 a.m.

Students have the opportunity during their free time this week to make uplifting cards to send to sick children in hospitals. Dozens of kids all over the United States will receive hope, cheer, and encouragement in these cards, which will be sent through the Cards for Hospitalized Kids organization. Through collective efforts, Wisco students have created about 100 cards to send.

There is no school on Monday, January 20, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The school building will be closed and offices will have limited hours. Students involved in co-curriculars should check with their coaches or advisors for practice times.

On January 11, Wisconsin Lutheran High School percussion ensembles participated in the Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School Annual Percussion Invitational Concert. More than 85 musicians gathered to collaborate, create, rehearse, and perform a wide variety of percussion music and styles. "The highlight of a musical invitational like this was that our students were able to collaborate with their peers on three songs. It's a celebration of all things percussive, it allows students to focus on their percussion technique," says WLHS Director of Band Quinten Petersen.

Reality Store, our annual financial literacy event, takes place on Tuesday, March 18, from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. To give our seniors an opportunity to learn about wise stewardship of their time and resources, we are in need of volunteers on this date. Those with experience in the areas of insurance and cars are helpful, but we have many areas where life experience is valuable when working with our young people. If you can spare a few hours of time, please contact Mr. Jason Goede at jason.goede@wlhs.org.

Art teacher Ms. Rachel Rosenberg started The Traveling Artist Studio to give students within our grade schools access to pottery and a kiln. Ms. Rosenberg's art studio was highlighted on CBS 58 with reporter Michael Schlesinger, which can be watched here. For more information about Rosenberg's Traveling Artist Studio and upcoming pottery classes, follow her Facebook page here.

The Wisconsin Singers are taking the stage at Wisconsin Lutheran High School on Sunday, January 26, at 3:30 p.m., with the Wisco Kids Show Choir as their opener. In their 57th year, the Wisconsin Singers show features captivating vocals, stunning choreography, and an electrifying 10-piece band. Tickets are $10 (senior/students) and $15 (adults) and available online here or by calling the WI Singer's box office at 608-886-6801.

Find My Future Summer Camp at WCTC is an exciting hands-on summer camp is open to all students entering grades 9, 10, 11 and 12. Explore your interests, and discover new and exciting careers in areas like culinary, health, manufacturing, emergency medical services and more. Please click here to learn more.

Waukesha County Technical College offers Dual Enrollment Academies for the pathways below to support student ACP's and WLHS Career Pathways. Please click here to learn more. 


WCTC will be running open houses in the coming months. Please click here to register and attend!

A representative will be on campus to meet with Juniors during flex on Thursday, January 16th. Please click here to register to attend. If you have questions please reach out to DEA Coordinator, Becky Kurter. 

Boys in grades 10-12 who are interested in ministry are encouraged to register and attend an event at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in February. Click here for information and registration.

The Wisconsin Lutheran High School Dinner Auction will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2025. To participate in some pre-auction fun and receive updates, request to join the WLHS Auction Facebook group page here. For information about sponsorships and donating items, visit wlhs.org/events.

Career-based learning experiences (CBLEs) are transforming education by connecting students with real-world job experiences. Through internships, apprenticeships, and mentorships, students gain hands-on skills that complement their academic knowledge and boost their employability. Employers benefit too, as CBL programs provide access to a skilled talent pool and offer valuable insights into potential hires. 

The Construction Skills class builds one or two sheds each spring semester and is looking for people who may be interested in having a shed built for them. Here are a few things we would ask if you're interested in a shed: the property must have a concrete slab or deck for the shed before building, the owner must provide a trailer to transport materials, and a donation between $1,500-$2,000 is requested for the cost of materials. If interested, please contact Mr. Joel Radue at joel.radue@wlhs.org.

WLHS partners with GoKid, a leading school carpooling program, to make carpooling to and from school easier for our parent community. We now have a designated page on our website here with more information and instructions to get started. Contact Director of Admissions Mr. Brad Wetzel at brad.wetzel@wlhs.org with any questions.

On Tuesday, January 14, WLHS welcomes to the lunchroom Chef Amanda Barnes to serve her chef display meal of penne matriciana, Italian salad, and focaccia bread. In addition, Chef Barnes will also be working with the culinary classes as well as preparing the dinner for our Board of Directors meeting on Wednesday evening. Taher, our food service provider at WLHS, sends a traveling chef to our school throughout the year. We are happy to welcome back Chef Barns.

Click here to see a list of the first semester honor roll recipients. Join us in congratulating these students on their diligence and hard work.

The following is an update on the calls that were received at Wisconsin Lutheran High School:

• Pastor Chris Koschnitzke ('98) returned his call to serve as an associate pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Saginaw, Michigan.

College Goal Wisconsin provides free information and assistance to families completing the FAFSA. College Goal Wisconsin is offering both in-person and virtual FAFSA Completion Events starting in January 2025.
 
To register for a FAFSA Completion Event or to request additional information, please refer to collegegoalwi.org.

Students at Honey Creek Hall gathered together for their annual Christmas celebration filled with festive activities and holiday cheer. The evening featured gingerbread house decorating and Christmas-themed treats while students participated in a Christmas Bingo game.