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Beitlich has since graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, earned a master’s degree in nutrition from Bastyr University in Seattle, gotten married (she’s now Leah Kriewall) and settled in Hillsboro, Ore. But she’s still proud every time she sees the award.
“I felt very honored,” she said. “Normally, kids make the paper for doing well in sports. It meant a lot to be recognized for doing a little bit of everything else — volunteering, doing well in school, being involved.”
The Tribune is entering its 11th year of offering the Extra Effort awards. They recognize high school seniors from several area counties who, like Beitlich, don’t always expect recognition.
Some have persevered through ad-versity — cancer, the death of a parent, being new to the U.S. Some have done more than their share to make their schools and communities better places to live. All have expressed appreciation.
“I cannot tell you the number of tearful hugs I receive from the students and families,” said Rusty Cunningham, publisher of the Tribune. The stories run each Tuesday in the A+ Achievers section; this year they begin Nov. 14. An awards reception is held in the spring.
The Tribune partners with UW-L, Viterbo University and Western Technical College. Each year, three winners are selected to receive a full year’s tuition from each of the three schools.
The La Crosse law firm of Johns, Flaherty and Collins also awards three $850 college scholarships.
Bobby Barney of Logan High School, Heather Hutschenreuter of Melrose-Mindoro and Eric Anderson of Kickapoo in Viola, Wis., were the inaugural winners last year.
“(The awards) send the message that it is a very good thing to try hard and do well in school,” said Liz Hitch, interim chancellor at UW-L. “I have also been impressed by the fortitude of the winners.”
Lee Rasch, president of Western Technical College, agreed. “Observing these talented and dedicated young people, I feel it truly speaks well about the future of our region,” he said.
Brent Smith, partner in the law firm, said it got involved to give a financial boost to area students who stood out because of their diligence and courage in overcoming tough lots in life. He said the banquet, in which winners are given a framed copy of their story, is a highlight of his year.
“I leave there going, ‘Wow, these folks have made a difference in a lot of people’s lives,’” he said.
Also beginning last year, each of the honorees receives a $100 Tribune Extra Effort/William Medland Scholarship in honor of the retired Viterbo president, one of the program’s founders.
Rick Artman, who this year succeeded Medland, said he’s excited to be a part of the awards, noting that Viterbo will host the reception April 25.
“Anything we can do to affirm positive behaviors, academic achievement, leadership and service among our young women and men should be encouraged and supported,” he said.
Where are they now?
Here are some brief updates on some other former Extra Effort award winners:
Capt. Lisa L. Neumann (Bangor, 1999) earned a Bronze Star while serving in Afghanistan as an Army officer from 2005 to 2006. She oversaw setting up five post offices throughout the country for coalition troops. She also assisted in earthquake relief efforts in Pakistan.
Laura (Caulum) Gratton (Logan, 1997) served two years with the Peace Corps in a rural village in Tanzania doing HIV/AIDS education. She’s now in medical school in Des Moines, Iowa.
Adam Franck (Holmen, 2002) graduated from Western Technical College with honors in criminal justice and has passed a state certification test to become a police officer.
Rosanna Hernandez (Central, 2005) is attending Western Technical College full time in culinary science while also working at Country Kitchen.
Chris Wee (West Salem, 1999) graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy and is an Air Force pilot based in England. He received the Top Gun and distinguished graduate awards while at Columbus Air Force base in Mississippi.
Carl Wortman (Melrose-Mindoro, 1998) is a sales representative with Trausch Distributing Co. in Sparta, Wis. He and his wife, Laura, are building a house.
Eric Anderson (Kickapoo, 2006) attends Marquette University in Milwaukee, majoring in computer science.
Leah Morken (Spring Grove, 1997) graduated from Viterbo in 2001 with a degree in biology and is working as a psychiatric unit aide at Gundersen Lutheran.
Jennifer Schoen (Central, 2002) graduated from Viterbo in May 2006 and is working as a registered nurse on the medical/oncology floor at Gundersen Lutheran.
Emily Jean Hanson (Melrose-Mindoro, 2003) is enrolled at Viterbo as a nursing major.
Rachel Thomas (Royall, 2004) is enrolled at Viterbo as a social work major.
Rebecca Hericks (Tomah, 2005) is enrolled at Viterbo as a nursing major.
Ismelda Reyes (Brookwood, 2006) is enrolled at Viterbo as a nursing major.
Caron Sedlmayr (De Soto, 2002) will graduate in May from UW-La Crosse with a teaching degree for grades 1 to 9 and special education.
Brandon Gallagher (Bangor, 2005) graduated from Western Technical College with a heating/refrigeration and air conditioning degree and is currently working at Paul’s Heating & Air Conditioning in La Crosse.
Caleb C. Stone (West Salem, 2003) attends the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Michelle Wester (Black River Falls, 2004) attends Western Technical College for supervisory management and works at JC Penney in La Crosse and McDonald’s in Black River Falls.
Leah Schuster (Luther High, 2003) graduated from Western Technical College and is a teacher at Red Balloon Child Care and Preschool.
Colleen Jacob (Onalaska, 2002) was able to attend Edgewood College in Madison for one week before she died of cancer after battling it for 5½ years.
Dan Simmons can be reached at (608)791-8217 or dsimmons@lacrossetribune.com.
