Here are the recipients of the Herbert V. Kohler and Ruth DeYoung Kohler scholarships for 2023

Brandon Reid, Sheboygan Press
·7 min read

SHEBOYGAN - Kohler Foundation has announced scholarships have been awarded to two students in Sheboygan County.

Included in the scholarships are the prestigious Herbert V. Kohler Scholarship for Leadership and the Ruth DeYoung Kohler Scholarship for Artistic Excellence, totaling $190,000.

The HVK Scholarship was awarded to a single student, Abigail Wetzel of Sheboygan South High School. She received a scholarship of $100,000.

Rachel Kohler, member of the Kohler Foundation and Scholarship Committee, with Abigail Wetzel, Sheboygan South High School, the recipient of the Herbert V. Kohler Scholarship at Sheboygan South High School, April 26, 2023, in Sheboygan.
Rachel Kohler, member of the Kohler Foundation and Scholarship Committee, with Abigail Wetzel, Sheboygan South High School, the recipient of the Herbert V. Kohler Scholarship at Sheboygan South High School, April 26, 2023, in Sheboygan.

According to a news release, the scholarship acknowledges students who best demonstrate academic excellence, creativity, candor, service to school and community, the ability to affect change and clear qualities of leadership.

Wetzel, the release said, is a dedicated student who during her time at Sheboygan South has made positive contributions to the school and the community. She has taken a rigorous slate of college prep classes, including accelerated, AP and vocational classes, to prepare for a career in engineering.

In addition to her exceptional academic standing, the release said Wetzel has been involved in extracurricular activities and has risen to leadership positions in Renewable Redwings, she is a founding member of Peers4Peers and is a mentor/actor for new members to the drama program. She also devoted time to participating in We Rise, a racial equity group.

Wetzel is a state champion in forensics for storytelling. She is a member of the National Honor Society and is part of the Red Team. This year, she was recognized by the Society of Women Engineers with a certificate of merit. She plans to study engineering at Purdue University in the fall and hopes to work for NASA.

In addition to the HVK scholarship, the foundation awarded the equally prestigious Ruth DeYoung Kohler Scholarship for Artistic Excellence to a single student wishing to pursue a career in the arts. Maisy Sternhagen, of Plymouth High School, received a scholarship of $90,000.

Laura Kohler, Kohler Foundation Administration Chair and Chief Sustainability and DEI Officer, Kohler Co. with Maisy Sternhagen, Plymouth High School, a recipient of the Ruth DeYoung Kohler Scholarship at Plymouth High School, May17, 2023, in Plymouth.
Laura Kohler, Kohler Foundation Administration Chair and Chief Sustainability and DEI Officer, Kohler Co. with Maisy Sternhagen, Plymouth High School, a recipient of the Ruth DeYoung Kohler Scholarship at Plymouth High School, May17, 2023, in Plymouth.

The Ruth DeYoung Kohler Scholarship for Artistic Excellence, according to the release, recognizes artistic vision, creativity, technical mastery and dedication to a career in the arts.

Sternhagen has been involved in art since her freshman year. She is a member of the National Art Honor Society and has consistently maintained a place on the honor roll throughout high school. She has taken various classes to advance her skills and develop her artistic voice.

Sternhagen believes in the transformative power of art and is passionate about using her talents to inspire others.

Her work is inspired by the world around her, and she hopes to use animation to create pieces that will move and inspire audiences.

The award, according to the release, recognizes her talent, dedication and commitment to the world of art. She will be attending the Milwaukee School of Art and Design in the fall.

For more about the Herbert V. Kohler Scholarship, the Ruth DeYoung Kohler Scholarship or other Kohler Foundation programs, contact Angela Ramey, senior manager-programs, at 920-458-1972.

Welcome to your weekly dose.

Here is more news from throughout Sheboygan County in your weekly dose.

▶ Road America brings June Sprints June 23-25: Road America in Elkhart Lake will host the WeatherTech SCCA Chicago Region June Sprints June 23-25.

The event holds a significant place on the Road America calendar and serves as the first step toward achieving the SCCA Triple Crown of Racing.

From June 23 to 25, spectators can experience four days of action featuring qualifying rounds and high-stakes racing.

The June Sprints marks the start of a journey for competitors vying for the SCCA Triple Crown of Racing, where victory in three consecutive events — beginning with the June Sprints, followed by the regional championships and culminating in the SCCA National Championship Runoffs — crowns the ultimate champion.

For those unaware, the SCCA National Championship Runoffs will return to Road America in 2024 and 2025 for the 61st and 62nd running of an event that caps the SCCA Road Racing program each year and has evolved into what is widely known as the pinnacle of U.S. amateur road racing.

Road America visitors during the June Sprints are encouraged to explore the enhancements Road America has made. Stroll through the grounds and discover the latest additions, including wood carvings, new paddock lighting and the carousel viewing trail. Among the notable highlights is “The Beach,” a new feature near Turn 11 with relaxed atmosphere, comfortable grandstand seating, beach chairs, swaying palm trees and exceptional vantage points.

Daily admission to the June Sprints is $25 June 23 and $35 on both June 24 and 25. Active military, reserves and retired members with ID are admitted free and anyone 16 years old and younger is free with a paying adult at the gate. Racing runs rain or shine.

For more details, call 800-365-7223.

▶ Celebrate the opening of Sheboygan’s new dog park: A ribbon-cutting and grand-opening of The Muth Family Dog Park is planned for 11 a.m.-2 p.m. June 24 at 3209 N. 21st St., Sheboygan.

The 3.5-acre dog park includes well-lit walking trails, a doggy pond, agility equipment and more. All amenities are securely fenced in throughout the wetland area with mature trees.

The June 24 event will include food trucks, the Sheboygan Police Department K-9 Unit, a live remote from B-93 Sheboygan’s Country, Pup Cups, pet resources and a chance to visit with shelter animals.

The event will feature the Sheboygan Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Ryan Sorenson, the Muth family and the Humane Society of Sheboygan County.

▶ Acuity’s Joel Clausing named Fire Investigator of the Year: The Wisconsin Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators has named Joel Clausing, special investigator at Acuity Insurance, Fire Investigator of the Year.

According to a news release, the award is given to a person who has demonstrated exceptional accomplishments in fire investigations in both civil and criminal fields of arson control.

“This award recognizes Joel’s outstanding investigative skills in a fire investigation at a business in southeastern Wisconsin,” said Jason Knecht, WI-IAAI Awards and Scholarship Committee chairman. “Ultimately, Joel’s persistent work led to arson charges being filed in this case.”

Insurance fraud costs American consumers and businesses $80 billion per year, according to the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud.

“We work hard to detect and fight fraud to ensure that our honest customers don’t end up paying the price,” said Ben Salzmann, Acuity CEO, in the release.

Michael Geissler, Battalion Chief / Lead Fire Investigator of the Grand Chute Fire Department (left), and Jason F. Knecht, Fire Inspector at Eau Claire Fire & Rescue (right) present the Fire Investigator of the Year Award from The Wisconsin Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators to Joel Clausing, Special Investigator at Acuity Insurance (center).

Clausing is part of Acuity’s Special Investigations Unit, a team of investigators with a diverse background of training, experience and advanced certifications. He joined Acuity in 2016 with an extensive background in law enforcement. He worked as a deputy sheriff from 1995 to 2001 and as a detective from 2001 to 2016, both in the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. He earned a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement from the University of Minnesota-Mankato and also holds the Certified Insurance Fraud Investigator designation.

The International Association of Arson Investigators is an international professional association of more than 11,000 fire investigation professionals.

Acuity has headquarters in Sheboygan and insures more than 130,000 businesses and nearly half a million homes and private passenger autos across 31 states. It employs nearly 1,600 people.

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Clip of the cover of the Wednesday, March 15, 2023, Sheboygan Press newspaper.
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This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Herbert V. Kohler, Ruth DeYoung Kohler scholarship winners announced