The Moraine Park Foundation will be able to award 20 students with $500 scholarships thanks to the success of The Ledge Games in 2022, which raised $10,000.

This family-friendly competition is held in Eden each fall and challenges participants in a series of lumberjack activities such as caber toss, hammer toss, archery, keg toss, speed chop, and axe throw.

The event proceeds support The Ledge Games scholarship, established through the Moraine Park Foundation, which focuses on culinary, engineering, manufacturing, and technology programs at Moraine Park. The event is co-founded by Josh Michels, of Fond du Lac and Tyler Oestreich, of Taycheedah.

“We are thrilled that The Ledge Games supports Moraine Park students through scholarship support,” Kathy Rechner, annual giving manager at Moraine Park, said. “These scholarships play a major factor in student success. The majority of Moraine Park students stay in-state to work once they complete their programs and that gives our local employers a boost when they need workers. Everybody wins with The Ledge Games.”

The Ledge Games 2023 is scheduled for September 30.

“Since the beginning, The Ledge Games has been committed to supporting students interested in manufacturing, engineering, IT, and related fields,” Oestreich said. “These industries are the backbone of our local economy, and we’re proud to play a role in helping our community thrive through our partnership with MPTC.”

Students enrolling in culinary, engineering, manufacturing, or technology for the 2023-24 school year will be eligible to apply for this scholarship through April 8. To be considered for a Foundation scholarship, students must have a Moraine Park Technical College cumulative or high school GPA of 2.75 or higher and enroll in a minimum of six credits per semester.

For more information, visit morainepark.edu/scholarships.

Point your future in the right direction at Future Fair 2023!

Moraine Park Technical College will host Future Fair on Wednesday, April 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Fond du Lac Campus Conference Center.

The event will feature over 60 employer exhibitors and 10 four-year colleges/universities.

Moraine Park students, alumni and community members will be able to network, explore internships, job opportunities and learn about college transfer opportunities. Registration is not required.

“This event gives Moraine Park the chance to enhance our partnerships with four-year colleges and employers, and we are excited to open our doors to share a wide array of opportunities with our students and community,” Michele Sabel, career and employment services specialist at Moraine Park, said.

For more information, contact Michele Sabel at 920-924-3205 or msabel@morainepark.edu.

Participating Employers/Colleges:

ADVOCAP, Inc.

Advocate Aurora Health

Amcor

Aurora Medical Center

Sheboygan County

Badger Liquor

Badger Meter

BCI Burke Company, LLC

Boys & Girls Club of Fond du Lac

Chamberlain and Walden

City of Fond du Lac

Concordia University Wisconsin

Custom Fabricating and Repair

Delaware North

Department of Corrections

Didion

Dodge Correctional Institution – Dept of Corrections

Fives Giddings & Lewis

Fond du Lac County

Froedtert

Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin

Froedtert Health

Grand Canyon University

Harbor Haven Health & Rehabilitation

Healing Elements Day Spa

Hotel Retlaw

IPW – West Bend Medical

Kettle Moraine YMCA

Kohler Co

KS Energy Services

Lakeland University

Landmark Landscapes

Lifestar EMS

Lutheran Homes and Health Services, Inc.

Marian University

Markesan Resident Home

Marshfield Clinic Health System

McMahon Associates, Inc.

McNeilus Steel, Inc.

Michels Corporation

Mid-States Aluminum Corp

MilliporeSigma

Moraine Park Technical College

National Exchange Bank & Trust

ProHealth Care

Quest Engineering, Inc

Randolph Health Services

Senior Helpers

Signicast

SSM Health

Steel Craft Corporation

Strohwig Industries, Inc.

Total Care Group

UW – Oshkosh (Online Degree programs)

UW-  Parkside

UW – Stout

Via Moda Group

Visiting Angels

Viterbo University

West Bend Fire Department

WI Department of Corrections

WI Department of Natural Resources

WI Dept of Corrections/Division of Community Corrections

Willer Tool Corporation

Winnebago County

Winnebago Mental Health Institute

Wisconsin Spine and Pain

Wisconsin State Patrol

X-cel Tooling, Inc.

Zeal Clinical Staffing

Zips Express Car Wash

One thing Sophie Marchello knew for certain after graduating from Kewaskum High School was that she wanted to help people.

After taking a few CNA courses and deciding it wasn’t her path, she ruled out a career in health care and began considering cosmetology.

“I knew I did not want to go to a four-year school,” Marchello said. “The idea of working with people and making them feel pretty and confident in themselves was exciting for me, so I began considering cosmetology.”

Her boss at Carpe Diem Hair Studio in West Bend recommended Moraine Park’s Cosmetology program, and she enrolled in August 2022. Marchello will graduate from the program this summer.

“There are so many things to love about cosmetology,” Marchello said. “I love haircutting, the human interactions, getting to know all different types of people and being creative. I also want to be independent in my career someday, and cosmetology offers me a flexible career path and the opportunity to own my own business.”

Outside of class, Marchello is a member of Cosmetology Club and MPTC’s Fond du Lac Student Senate. Her passion and dedication to her craft recently earned her a nomination for the 2023 Student of the Year Award.

The Cosmetology program at Moraine Park is perfect for creatives who enjoy working with people. Students start with basic skills in the classroom, then advance to working with real clients in Techniques Salon & Spa on the Fond du Lac Campus; a full-service salon and spa where students provide hair, skin and nail services.

To learn more about Moraine Park’s Cosmetology program, visit morainepark.edu/academics/programs/cosmetology.

For many high school students, graduation means deciding on a college or figuring out what to do in a career. Cameron Groves, a senior at Slinger High School, is already one step ahead in achieving his career goals.

Come spring 2023, Groves will earn both his diploma from Slinger High School and his Electricity Technical Diploma and Industrial Wiring Certificate from Moraine Park Technical College. He took advantage of his schools’ dual credit programs, allowing him to earn college credits while still in high school.

“The field is continually changing, so as an electrician, I will be at the forefront of technology,” Groves said. “I can also assume that as I progress in my career, that I will accrue the knowledge and skill set that, if applied properly, will remain profitable. A switch install, hanging a light, wiring a system, and all the knowledge I attain will be mine forever.”

In addition to taking both high school and college level courses, it was important to Groves that he remained eligible to play high school football. This meant arranging his schedule to allow for flexibility during football season, and meeting WIAA credit standards. He took courses online and in the summer to ensure he could play and take a lighter course load during the fall season.

In Feb. 2023, Groves took the Milwaukee Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee aptitude test. Once he receives his diploma and test results, he plans to petition to join the Milwaukee Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee Union in spring 2023. Eventually, he hopes to achieve the title Master Electrician and own his own business.

“I would definitely recommend that everyone take advantage of the dual credit opportunity, as it will allow you to get a head start on your chosen career path while also strengthening your transcript and resume,” Groves said. “Being immersed in the electricity program has helped strengthen my knowledge, allowed me to demonstrate learned topics in a field setting, and afforded me opportunities to network with individuals in my chosen field.”

To learn more about how to earn college credit while still in high school, talk to your counselor or visit morainepark.edu to learn about other MPTC offerings.

Did you know that according to the U.S. Department of Labor, only 1.7 percent of electricians in the United States are women? In honor of International Women’s Day, read about how Jenny Conrardy, an MPTC electrical apprentice, is sparking change in the trades.

In 2021, Conrrardy began working at Current Electric in Wauwatosa. Soon after she started, Conrardy proved herself a hardworking, dedicated employee and was selected for an apprenticeship to gain electrical training at Moraine Park. She specializes in photovoltaic energy.

“It’s not a secret that trade careers offer high-paying, reliable jobs, and women deserve to have high-paying jobs,” Gus Boyle Gustavus, Moraine Park electricity instructor, said. “My observations have been that many women tend to still believe that trade workplaces are rough and unaccepting. I have been working in male-dominated occupations my entire life and have always had colleagues who want to see me be successful and pave the way for other women.”

Through her apprenticeship, Conrardy earns a wage while she attends her classes, and her employer pays tuition and book expenses. She attends class one full day every other week, making it easier to maintain income and learn at the same time.

“The trades are a great fit for any person who loves to work with their hands and problem solve,” Conrardy said. “The trades have historically been a white, male-dominated industry, but I think there is a lot of room and willingness in the industry to open that demographic right now. Not just for women, but also for people of color and the LGBTQ community. I encourage people to take that first step, don’t let anyone say no and keep moving forward.” 

Conrardy will complete her apprenticeship and earn her journeyworker’s license in 2025. She is the only woman in her class. 

“It’s important for our youth to understand different types of professions available and for our young female students to actually see that women play an active role in trades-related occupations,” Bobbi Fields, Moraine Park dean of applied technology and trades, said. “When kids see someone who they can relate to being successful in a career, it increases the likelihood that they could dream of working in that profession someday.”

Alec Harrison, a Moraine Park Mechanical Design Technology student, is taking big strides in his career after graduating from Campbellsport High School in 2022.

With a strong interest in mechanical design since middle school, Harrison decided to take advantage of his high school’s dual credit program to get a head start on his college education. Through the program, he earned 8 credits and a SolidWorks professional certification before graduating. 

SolidWorks is an industry-leading Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Engineering software. 

“I started working with the SolidWorks program back in middle school and was really interested in it,” Harrison said. “I kept working at it and was certified with a professional exam by the time I was 16.” 

Harrison especially enjoyed taking the Computer-Aided Manufacturing course at Moraine Park’s West Bend campus. Part of this course was contracted; meaning it was taught by a Moraine Park instructor. 

“I really enjoyed getting out of the classroom to do more hands-on work,” said Harrison. “My MPTC instructor, Mr. Jim Hokenson, is really skilled on the machines, and it was inspiring to watch. It made me realize how good I could get if I put that much time and effort into it.” 

Harrison enrolled in Moraine Park’s Mechanical Design Technology program and became an official student in August 2022. 

“My dual credit experience took time out of the classes that I have to take now that I’m a Moraine Park student,” Harrison said. “The overall experience also made the transition from high school to college a lot easier for me since I was already familiar with the school and instructors.” 

Harrison will graduate with his associate degree in 2024. In the future, He hopes to start his own business doing custom contract orders for bigger companies that outsource. He is already on order for his first machine. 

Outside of classes, Harrison stays busy working 40 hours a week as a farmer. He is also part of Moraine Park’s Promise Program–an opportunity for debt-free tuition. As part of the program requirements, Harrison spends time volunteering at his church. 

In an effort to help combat the skilled worker shortage, Moraine Park Technical College offers Manufacturing Skills Academy Boot Camps–a unique opportunity to gain entry-level skills. The two boot camps–Computer Numerical Control (CNC) and Welding–are tuition-free, 3-month long programs.

In addition to skill development, the boot camps include a 144-hour paid internship to get hands-on experience that ideally turns into a full-time job opportunity. Moraine Park partners with businesses all over their district area to offer paid internships to the students in the program. Wabash National has been a valued partner since the boot camp’s induction in 2012.

“The need for welders at Wabash is constant,” Nate Glancer, HR business partner at Wabash National, said. “We are working against a talent pool that has been shrinking steadily over the past decade. People that have been with us for 40-plus years are retiring, and as they are leaving, we are having a tough time filling those spots. Welders are a main component of what we do here; making up about 70 percent of our workforce, which is why this boot camp program is so vital to us.”

Since 2012, the boot camp programs have had over 400 participants. One of those participants, Elise Winkel, found life-changing success after completing the welding boot camp in 2019.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance and taking several art classes, Winkel, a stay-at-home mom of four girls, thought the welding boot camp would be a good fit for her.

“Welding is very much an art, and you have to be able to work well with both hands a the same time,” Winkel said. “The boot camp was a little out of my comfort zone, and I was the only woman in my class, but I felt comfortable with the gradual pace of the program, and it is one of the best decisions I have ever made.”

Winkel completed her internship at Wabash and stayed on full-time after the boot camp’s completion as an inside seam welder. Because of this career change, Winkel and her husband decided to have another child and bought a home together.

“About 93% of our boot camp graduates found jobs,” Kelli Karpinski, MPTC economic workforce development business development manager, said. “The best part is that these once unskilled manufacturing participants start out making $23/hr or more, and more often than not, they advance very quickly.”

The boot camps are free for participants, thanks to financial support from community resource partners and the Workforce and Training (WAT) grants.

To learn more about Moraine Park’s Manufacturing Skills Academy Boot Camps, contact bootcamps@morainepark.edu.

As an educational institution, Moraine Park understands that learning looks different for everyone, and the College has several resources available to ensure that students have the opportunity to be successful.

For Britney Olsen, the path to success did not come easy. In the first grade, she was diagnosed with auditory processing disorder–a learning disorder affecting the ability to understand speech. From elementary through high school, she struggled to comprehend teacher directions and assignments, and her grades suffered.

“I barely graduated high school and was sent to a program called Diploma Bound during my senior year to receive my diploma in 2013,” Olsen said. “In high school, my math teacher gave me a calculator and a page of multiplication problems, and I was told to finish it. That was the bare minimum required to pass.”

After her graduation, Olsen tried working in factories and applied for various office jobs but was unhappy and lacked the required experience.

In 2019, she enrolled at Moraine Park to earn her technical diploma as a Virtual Assistant. However, going back to school meant facing her learning disability head-on.

“I was nervous I wouldn’t get the support needed to be a successful student,” Olsen said. “My disability accommodations allowed me to work with the disability specialist for up to two hours a week. I would complete the homework I felt comfortable doing by myself and would receive help with the homework I struggled with.”

Each semester, Olsen introduced herself to her instructors and confirmed her accommodations; becoming a strong advocate for herself and ensuring her success. In addition to her disability accommodations, Olsen utilized Moraine Park’s student success center and campus tutors to receive extra help.

“The overall experience of working with disability resources was easy, and I felt comfortable,” Olsen said. “I remember they had an orientation with students who had accommodations before the semester started. That meeting helped me understand the resources available to me. I always felt that my accommodations and disability were confidential, which made me feel respected. I would not have passed some of my classes without the support and accommodations I had.”

Halfway through finishing her technical diploma, Olsen found a new passion for learning and decided to pursue her associate degree. In May 2021, she earned her technical diploma, and in May 2022 she earned her associate degree in the Administrative Coordinator program and an additional degree in Meeting and Event Planning.

After graduating, Olsen moved to Prescott, AZ, and accepted a job at Yavapai College as a Learning Center Assistant. Three months later, she was promoted to Learning Center Specialist. She will begin pursuing her bachelor’s degree this fall.

“For a long time, I let excuses prevent me from living my life,” Olsen said. “I told myself that since I had a disability, I was not good enough or intelligent enough to go to college, become a supervisor or move across the country. I do not live by that lie anymore.”

Learn more about Disability Resources at Moraine Park https://www.morainepark.edu/experience-mptc/student-resources/disability-resources/.

In honor of Black History Month this February, Moraine Park Diversity Relations has partnered with MPTC alumna and business owner, Christal Shipp, in an initiative supporting black-owned businesses.

The initiative–A Taste of Black Excellence–allows MPTC employees and community members to purchase boxes filled with products and services from several Wisconsin black-owned businesses located inside the Sherman Phoenix Marketplace (https://www.shermanphoenix.com/vision) in Milwaukee.

The Sherman Phoenix is a hub for small businesses of color offering wellness services, cultural activities, business services and diverse foods. One of those businesses is CTRL+C, a copy and print service company owned by Moraine Park graduate Christal Shipp.

Recently, Shipp presented on Moraine Park’s Fond du Lac campus to speak about the Taste of Black Excellence boxes and share her story.

“Once you purchase a box, you will get the products with a story about the businesses and a QR code information to rebuy any of the products,” Aryana Barudin, Moraine Park multicultural student support and programming specialist, said. “The big push behind these boxes is that we want the products and services to go to people with spending power. We want you to share these products and talk about them with each other and with the community so people will keep buying. As great as awareness is, this is an awesome opportunity for people to put their money where their heart is.”

To purchase your Taste of Black Excellence box, visit https://forms.office.com/r/T7qFrgMN2X. Boxes can be purchased through Feb. 27.