MPS students and educators win awards from Herb Kohl Educational Foundation

Nine students, 11 teachers, and one principal from Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) are winners of the 2023 Herb Kohl Educational Foundation scholarships and awards. In all, the foundation is bestowing awards to 306 recipients from around the state.

“These student, teacher, and principal award recipients have demonstrated incredible hard work, achievements, and service,” former U.S. Senator Herb Kohl said in announcing the winners. “I congratulate them all and hope this award not only helps them in their individual pursuits but also reminds them to pay it forward in the future.” Excellence Scholarship recipients demonstrate academic excellence, high motivation, and a broad range of activity and leadership. Initiative Scholarship recipients demonstrate initiative in school and strong promise for success in college and beyond.

Excellence Scholars and Initiative Scholars receive $10,000 to pursue higher education, with 190 awards going to graduating high school students across the state.

2023 MPS Excellence Scholarship Recipients

• Diego Alfaro, Rufus King International High School
• Eve Anderson, Rufus King International High School
• Eva Groeschl, Rufus King International High School
• Katherine Jensen, Golda Meir School
• Stephanie Santoyo-Bustos, Milwaukee School of Languages

2023 MPS Initiative Scholarship Recipients

• Leopold Biel, Rufus King International High School
• Cadarious Farmer, Bay View High School
• Kolaris Griffin, South Division High School
• Keyyanna Guy, Marshall High School

Teacher fellowship awards of $6,000 are being given to 100 teachers across the state nominated for their leadership, service in and out of the classroom, and the ability to motivate students and to inspire a love of learning.

2023 MPS Teacher Honorees

• Virginia Fox, Elm Creative Arts School
• Angela Harris, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School
• Claudia Heller de Messer, Milwaukee Parkside School for the Arts
• Nicole Labat, Lad Lake Synergy School
• Darren Lipman, Carmen High School of Science and Technology – South Campus
• Francisca Meraz, South Division High School
• Diane Raner, Hamilton High School
• Martha Reyes, Highland Community School
• Erin Sivek, Milwaukee Academy of Chinese Language
• Savannah Thompson, Marshall High School
• Catherine Voss, North Division High School

Principal leadership awards of $6,000 are going to 16 principals for setting high standards for instruction, achievement, and character, and for creating a climate to best serve students, families, staff, and community, according to the foundation.

2023 MPS Principal Honoree

• Shantee Williams, Hawthorne School

The Kohl Foundation Scholarship and Fellowship program was established by Herb Kohl, philanthropist and businessman, in 1990. To date, the foundation has awarded nearly $34-million to Wisconsin educators, principals, students, and schools.

A statewide committee of civic leaders and representatives of education-related associations and program co-sponsors selected the winners.

The groups are the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, regional Cooperative Educational Service Agencies (CESAs), Association of Wisconsin School Administrators, and Wisconsin Homeschooling Parents Association.

Congratulations to our outstanding educators and students!