Gabriel Le Gros of Muskego is motivated to succeed academically not for his parents, or his teachers, but for himself. The senior at Muskego High School, who is the son of Maureen and David Le Gros, said he has overcome dyslexia, a learning disability that makes reading more challenging, and believes any one can be a straight-A student as long as he or she is determined. Gabriel was set on finding a way to pay for college, so he applied for dozens of scholarships. Now, he’s secured close to a full four-year ride at UW-Madison through several scholarship awards. “I feel like if I named one (…

Allison Gage, a junior at Muskego High School, has a summer of travel planned, thanks to her successful year of academics. The junior class president in April took part in the 57th annual Wisconsin Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) State Leadership Conference in Appleton and advanced to the National Leadership Conference this summer in Orlando. Over 2,000 students, advisors, and guests participated in the state conference, which entailed workshop attendance and competitions in various professions.  Allison was installed as the Region VI Vice President, a member of the FBLA State …

Now that he’s wrapping up his junior year at Muskego High School, Nick Klinka of Muskego is planning to build on his accomplishments this fall. In the mean time, he’s holding down a couple of part time jobs and spending time with friends, after a year with four AP classes in which he earned all As. Nick, who scored 34 on the ACT test, is currently ranked first in his class, according to his mother, Melinda Klinka. He is also a musician, athlete and aspiring physician or patent lawyer. Efficient use of his time has been key to his achievements, he said, adding that his parents have always …

Britany Maule of Wind Lake said she’s grateful to her basketball coach, Brian Hirtz, for the $1000 scholarship she received May 1 as a Brady Academic All-Star. A senior at Muskego High School, Britany said Hirtz nominated her for the award, and that the scholarship will make a big difference as she attends UW-LaCrosse this fall. “Last year when I was a junior he was a coach who helped me develop a work ethic to earn a starting spot this year and have playing time,” Britany said. “He also taught me to work hard and achieve what you want.” Britany has not only applied her dedication to sports …

His name appeared in lights on the scoreboard of Miller Park, and the recognition was for his athletic achievement and his academic excellence. Nick Schmidlkofer, a senior at Muskego High School, was honored as a Brady Academic All Star May 1st. His dad, Mike, said about 150 students were honored for their athletics, academics and service contributions, as nominated by their coaches and selected by faculty. All honorees’ names were displayed on the scoreboard, and three names were chosen randomly at the event for a $1000 scholarship. Though Nick did not win it, he said he was honored to be …

Seventh-grader Jessica Kastello of Muskego likes her artwork to have a life of its own. Her creativity recently garnered her recognition by the Lions Club International Peace Poster Contest, for which Jessica drew her vision of peace, with colored pencils. “The peace poster I drew was a school project, and the idea of it came from my other artwork,” she said. “I usually never let my artwork stay dead. I usually incorporate it into something else.” Her inspiration for the dove she drew on her peace poster was actually another drawing she completed as school. “I drew a flying cat with wings. I …

As he commences his senior year at Muskego High School, Jacob Berlyn recognizes the major influences that have helped him achieve success. He has a 4.655 grade point average, is currently ranked second in his class and scored a 34 on the ACT. On top of that, he’s cross country captain, a member of jazz and wind ensemble, and he also volunteers and holds a summer job. “On a daily basis, someone who really helps me stay motivated is Coach Michaud,” said Jacob, the son of Liz and Bob Berlyn. “I think he understands me as a person.” Part of that entails knowing when Jacob is preoccupied with …

Almost one year after Matthew Klinka of Muskego was named valedictorian of Muskego High School, he is just weeks away from earning junior status at Auburn University in Alabama. The son of Tom and Melinda Klink, he completed 11 AP classes during high school and was recognized as a National Merit Scholar last year. “With all the AP credits I have, I could take a year off, but I’m not going to,” said Klinka. “So far I have a 4.0 and hopefully I’ll be able to keep that up.” Intending to go to med school, Klinka is focusing on microbiology. He’s involved with research on a species of comb jelly …

National AP Scholar Samantha Holten of Muskego is reaping the rewards of her hard work at Muskego High School, finishing up her first year of studies at University of Wisconsin – Madison. Holten, who earned the distinction last year as a senior at Muskego High School, said the nine AP classes she took in high school are making her college experience more efficient, and affordable. “The nice part about the AP classes is I have enough credits coming in that I could graduate within three years if I wanted to,” Holten said. “I don’t have to stress out about taking too many credits each semester. …

Paul Koster of Muskego definitely meets the requirements ofbeing a well-rounded high school senior - adept in music, academics, sports andcommunity service. The son of Gary and Terri Koster, he recently completed hisEagle Scout project with an endeavor close to his heart. “I’m really big into nature and the park system, and I’mreally keen about having the park available for people to enjoy,” he said. “Iwanted to make it better for people to go through.” With that in mind, Paul helped design and install sevenposts and 15 signs on the trail at Muskego County Park. “The old posts were really …

After nine years of competing in Odyssey of the Mind, a problem solving competition that focuses on consideration of multiple ideas and perspectives, Samantha Hyde is applying her leadership skills as a motivator, according to her dad, Brett Hyde.  The Muskego High School freshman qualified for the World Competition at last weekend’s regional rounds in Madison. “I coached her for six of her nine years,” said Hyde, a Muskego-Norway School District board member. “My number-one thing is to always have fun. Sam tends to get the job done. Her coaches commented that she was the one trying to …

After months of practicing four hours per week, Payton Loftis is ready to put her creative problem solving ideas to the test, at this Saturday’s Odyssey of the Mind competition in Madison. The fourth grader at Lakeview Elementary said this year, her second in the contest, she’s part of a team that will focus on performing a skit that conveys time travel and cartoon spoofing. “The first thing we do (at the competition) is Spontaneous,” said Payton. “They give us a problem, and we have to solve it on the spot. We have to try to think of creative answers but if you’re stuck then you just think …

Erin Oetting of Muskego is a senior at Muskego High School, with a standout record in academics and sports. The discipline associated with her success in those areas is why she, like Taylor Droshagen, last week’s Whiz Kid, also applied to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. With her nomination announced by Congressman Paul Ryan for several students from his district, Erin too has reached the first step in her hopes to gain acceptance to the prestigious military school. “I really liked the surroundings of being up in the mountains,” said Erin, who visited the campus …

Since she was a little girl, Muskego resident Taylor Drolshagen has dreamt of being a pilot. Now, the senior at Muskego High School is one key step closer to making that goal a reality. Recently, Congressman Paul Ryan announced nominations for several students from his district, including Taylor, to be appointed to attend U.S. military service academies. Taylor, who scored 34 on the ACT tests and has a 4.2 grade point average on a 4.0 scale, said the experience of talking with Congressman Ryan, as well as with Senators Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold, was rewarding as well. “For my first …

Name: Nick SchmidlkoferSchool: Muskego High SchoolWhy Nick is a Whiz Kid: He is a true student-athlete, maintaining a 4.2 GPA with a full Advanced Placement class schedule and participating in varsity football and baseball. He recently participated in Badger Boys State, a statewide mock legislative experience.More about Nick's Whiz Kid Awesomeness: Nick Schmidlkofer's dad Mike describes him as mature beyond his years and an overachiever. The Muskego High School senior is also known as a natural leader and a good listener, says his mom, Kathy. It was likely a combination of those attributes …

Name: Allie Konkol, 16School: Catholic Memorial High School, WaukeshaKey to Allie's Awesomeness: She hopes to graduate from high school with some college credits and is involved in extracurricular activities including community service and holding down a part-time job.Why Allie is a Whiz Kid: When Allie Konkol graduates from Catholic Memorial High School in 2013, she hopes to have a couple of college credits under her belt. Starting in the Fall 2011 when she's a junior, Allie will be enrolled in the Interational Baccalaureate program at CMH, which is an internationally recognized advanced …