Wolkober balanced academics with outreach

Recent Westosha Central graduate plans to attend Texas Christian University, where she will pursue studies in biology with a pre-med track.
Recent Westosha Central graduate plans to attend Texas Christian University, where she will pursue studies in biology with a pre-med track.

Equestrian member named Central’s Outstanding Senior

By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer

Throughout her four years at Westosha Central High School, senior Brianna Wolkober has demonstrated the willingness to help others while pursuing multiple academic honors and honing her skills on the equestrian circuit, according to teacher Carrie Wright.

Wolkober, who plans to study biology on a pre-medicine track at Texas Christian University, was selected as this year’s Outstanding Senior by the Westosha Report. She was among four students nominated by the school.

“She clearly stands out as a leader among her peers and I think that many students look to her for encouragement, ideas, and the organization skills necessary to keep everyone working at their potential,” Wright stated.

The senior leader has been involved with school organization Peer Helpers since her freshman year, and continued to pay it forward, adding her guidance in the Freshman Mentoring Program since sophomore year.

Additionally, she is a member the school’s HOSA program, geared toward grooming future health professionals.

While helping others, she exhibited a diverse range of talents, including four years in band, three in color guard and served as team captain of the varsity tennis team her senior year.

“Another quality that has impressed me is her dedication and willingness to get involved,” Wright said. “Brianna has been in so many productive activities at the school and every time, she seems to play a key role in the success of the project.”

Individually, she earned several academic marks, including Certificate of Academic Achievement, Academic Medal, Academic Chenille Letter, Academic Plaque, High Honor Roll distinction leading to membership on the school’s National Honor Society her junior and senior years.

Concurrent to her NHS membership, she was on the school’s Spanish Honor Society.

Although she has attained multiple individual honors, she exhibits humility, kindness and enthusiasm in the halls of Westosha Central.

“She consistently demonstrates respect for herself and others while carrying a joy about her that is contagious,” Wright explained.

Aside from involvement in school organizations and helping others, she has been a prime example of someone who is not afraid to step outside the box, according Wright.

“Brianna is not afraid to be herself and pursue her unique passions like horses,” Wright stated. “She has spoken of these things to me in class her love of the equestrian sport is clear.”

Wolkober is a four-year member of the Westosha Central Equestrian Team, serving as a team captain along with involvement in Kenosha County 4-H.

Furthermore, she remained active in the National Barrel Horse Association, Wisconsin High School Rodeo Association and the Lake County Mounted Posse.

Along with her passion, her qualities “empower her to stand her ground as an example of integrity and moral standards,” Wright said.

The daughter of Joe and Laura Wolkober of Bristol and has worked as an assistant barn manager at Brighton Creek Farm since her 2012.

Other nominees considered were, in alphabetical order, Eddie Korando, Alyssa McKinnon and Lucas Wysiatko.

Eddie Korando

Eddie Korando
Eddie Korando

The son of Brad and Jean Korando, of Pleasant Prairie, plans on pursuing a double major in mathematics and economics at Bowdoin College in the fall.

Korando, who has notched high honors since his freshman year, is a member of the school’s competitive shooting team, academic decathlon, academic decathlon, freshman mentor and received induction into National Honors Society.

Additionally, he received an Academic Certificate, Academic Medal, Academic Chenille Letter, Academic Plaque along with an Elks Scholarship.

In his application, he placed an emphasis on strong morale value, stressing the importance of helping those in the community.

Community efforts include volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club of Kenosha and serving on the Youth in Governance board.

“I attended a Catholic grade school where an emphasis was placed on strong morale values and the value of stewardship,” he stated. “My teachers taught me that those who have the ability to help their communities have the responsibility to do so.”

While volunteering in the community, he also served the school as a public and private tutor all four years.

Considering his desired career path, Korando wants to apply green technology into the business, his application stated.

“It is imperative that my generation focuses its talents on guiding the world to a sustainable future,” he wrote.

Alyssa MacKinnon

Alyssa MacKinnon
Alyssa MacKinnon

MacKinnon, who has attained several academic and athletic achievements, is the daughter of George and Karen MacKinnon, of Salem.

She earned an Academic Certificate, Chenille Letter, Academic Medal, Academic Plaque, High Honors and several scholarships that include the Booster Club Award, and one for academic excellence.

Along with two local scholarships, she received a Chancellor’s Scholarship as a Direct Academic at the University of Wisconsin, which she will enter without a declared major.

“Majors that spark my interest include actuarial science, economics, finance, management and statistics,” she stated in her application.

While she excelled academically, she also stayed involved in both Falcon athletics and student organizations.

Through her four years, MacKinnon was a member of the track team (freshman year), cross country (all four years), where she was captain, and received Southern Lakes Conference second-team honors.

Additionally, she was involved in the school’s Freshman Mentor Program, Peer Helper for two years, French Honors Society (President Senior Year), National Honors Society her senior year, Association of Business Students (10-12), Key Club (senior), Mu Alpha Theta (two years), International Club, Global Awareness Club and Life of an Athlete her junior year.

Adding to her academic and athletic achievements are her two part-time jobs, one at Heidi’s Bakery/Briana’s Bakery her sophomore and junior and the other at The Club at Strawberry Creek from her junior to senior year.

Lucas Wysiatko

Lucas Wysiatko
Lucas Wysiatko

The class valedictorian is the son of Robert and Michelle Wysiatko of Union Grove.

Wysiatko has attained multiple scholarships, the National Merit Commended Student, AP Scholar with an Honor and Southern Lakes Conference Academic Excellence Award.

Wysiatko, a summer volunteer youth tennis coach, has excelled on the court where he is a four-year letter-winner in the sport, honored as a two-time SLC honorable mention on a Falcon team that won two titles.

In addition to tennis, he was a member of the boys soccer team all four years, earning an honorable mention conference acknowledgment.

While balancing his studies and athletics, Wysiatko has participated on the school’s forensics team for two years, SMART team for two years, the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta.

He plans to attend UW-Madison, where he will study computer engineering.


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