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Waukesha students recognized for national STEM finish; high school representatives report academic and extracurricular milestones
Summary
Board heard presentations from Saratoga STEM Future Cities national qualifiers and student representatives from Waukesha South and West on academics, athletics and career programs.
Saratoga STEM students and teams from Waukesha South and Waukesha West highlighted recent academic and extracurricular achievements during the March 12 meeting of the Waukesha School District Board of Education.
The board opened its public presentations by inviting the Saratoga STEM Future Cities team, Nuevo Comienzo, to the podium. "We're from the future city team Nuevo Comienzo," Emma said, describing the team's research and model-building process. Team members credited donations and school support for their chance to compete nationally and said the project strengthened technical and teamwork skills across an eight-member group.
Board members and staff asked the team about collaboration and project timelines. A presenter said the group leaned on "compromises" and dividing work—essay, model and presentation—over about seven to nine months of preparation. Coaches and teachers present included Mr. Hoffman and Mr. Sonier, who were acknowledged by the board for supporting the students' trip to nationals.
Following the Saratoga presentation, student representatives from Waukesha South and Waukesha West summarized school-level academic results, extracurricular awards and upcoming activities. South senior Morgan Swartz reported that 56 percent of students achieved honor or high honor roll in the first semester and listed recent state-level qualifiers across athletics and clubs. South students noted plans for a new HVAC system and thanked the district for facilities work.
West representatives Jayla and Harper Pugh described career-focused programs and extracurricular growth at that high school. Jayla summarized health occupations and cooperative (co-op) programs that offer paid internships and said West offers more than 20 AP courses. Harper highlighted leadership events, championship athletics (including boys soccer state champions) and growth in student leadership organizations such as DECA and NHS.
Board members praised the student presenters. Several trustees—among them Mrs. Koenig, Mr. Brooks and Mrs. Voigt—thanked students for representing their schools and noted the presentations as regular opportunities to hear student perspectives.
The district said the presentations were part of the board's Bright Lights segment, scheduled monthly to showcase student work, and representatives from other high schools will present at future meetings.
