WI Sports Awards Scholarship

$5,000 Winner

David Holzer
Hartford, WI
Hartford Union High School 

“Through my years in high school, I have found no substitution for the compassionate camaraderie, adrenaline rushes, and wonderful memories that are found in athletics.”

David has participated in cross country, swimming and golf all four years of high school.  He was captain of both his cross country and swimming teams.  He was named Academic All-State for his golf success.  He plans to play golf at the collegiate level next fall. David is ranked 2nd in his class and holds a perfect 4.0 grade point average. David has been extensively involved in other extracurricular activities, such as school musicals, DECA, National Honor Society (president), H-Club, choir, and the math team.  He has won numerous awards, such as the Rotary Student of the Month, AP Scholar with Distinction, National Merit Finalist, and a Presidential Scholar Candidate.  David scored an astonishing perfect 36 on his ACT exam. Outside of school, David has volunteered over 150 hours during his high school career.  He has been actively involved as an altar server and lector at St. Mary of the Hill Parish.  In addition, he has volunteered as a holiday caroler, worked the H-Club concession stand, fed the homeless at a soup kitchen and was a standard bearer at the U.S. Women’s Open 2012 at Blackwolf Run. David plans on attending St. Norbert College in the fall, and will major in Biology.  He hopes to continue on to medical school and become a physician.  He has been inspired to be a physician from his mother, who is a family practitioner in Hartford.  

$5,000 Winner

Brianna S. Messner
Seymour, WI
Seymour Community High School

“Sports have been an enormous part of my life and taught me countless life skills.”

Brianna has been an active member of her high school basketball and soccer teams freshmen – senior year.  In addition, she played volleyball as a freshman and sophomore and managed the boys’ soccer team her junior and senior years.  Brianna’s father was her coach throughout her high school career and a great inspiration to her. In addition to her success in sports, Brianna has also maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average and is valedictorian of her class.  She has taken five college credit classes and been recognized by the Society of Women Engineers for excellence in science and mathematics. Brianna has been further involved in her school, as an elected member of the Student Senate and also participating in eight other school clubs and activities. Outside of school, Brianna has volunteered her time with several different community organizations including Habitat for Humanity and the Salvation Army.  She has also volunteered at a local community festival, Burgerfest, for four years, served food at a homeless shelter and participated in many church-sponsored events. Brianna will attend the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay this fall where she will continue her love of sports by playing on their Division I women’s soccer team.  She plans on double majoring in Education and Spanish and hopes to become a math teacher.  Education is an important part of Brianna’s life, having many family members as teachers.  She is looking forward to empowering students to be the best they can be.

$1,000 Female Winner

Courtney Bryn Kalous
Menomonee Falls, WI
Milwaukee Lutheran High School

“The manner in which people respond to failure has the ability to define them.”

Courtney has been a state, regional and sectional track champion, competing on her high school’s varsity team from her freshman to senior years. She also played basketball her first three years of high school and volleyball as a freshman and sophomore. Courtney has also participated in summer basketball and volleyball leagues, cross country and a summer strength weight-lifting program. Academically, Courtney has maintained a 4.0 grade point average.  She has been recognized as a Conference Scholar Athlete every year of her high school career. Outside of school, Courtney has volunteered much of her time, participating in a summer mission trip for Hurricane Katrina relief, working at the Milwaukee Rescue Mission, and being an active member of her church. One of Courtney’s main desires in life is to support young girls.  She plans on majoring in Relational Communications.  Courtney will attend Trinity Lutheran University in the fall.

$1,000 Male Winner

Jace Simonson
Richland Center, WI
Richland Center High School

“Sports have always been an integral part of my life and I feel they have been the cornerstone in developing life-long qualities.”


Jace has participated on his high school football, wrestling and baseball teams from freshman through senior year.  He qualified for state in wrestling in 2012 and 2013. His senior class voted him “class athlete.”  He served as team captain in both wrestling and football his senior year. Academically, Jace has maintained a 3.94 grade point average. He is an active member of the National Honor Society, the FBLA and the Senior Executive Board. Jace has also dedicated many hours of volunteer time at the Richland Community Food Pantry, as an elementary classroom assistant and with Richland Area Youth Wrestling.  Additionally, he worked two jobs during the summer months to help his family financially. Jace plans on attending the University of Wisconsin – Platteville this fall.  Because of his love of buildings, construction and architecture, he plans on majoring in Civil Engineering.