2018 Brian LaViolette Scholarship recipient

Today, Brian's Foundation surprised Bailey Conradt during his AP Psychology class at Ashwaubenon High School.  A team of staff and others shared the news that he was selected as this years' recipient of the Brian LaViolette Scholarship for $10,000! 

He is pictured here with his parents and Doug and Renee LaViolette.

One student from the 17 high schools in the Partners in Education school district apply.  The top 5 finalist are interviewed by the LaViolettes and members of Partners in Education.  Bailey will be attending UW-Madison to pursue a degree in Engineering, Political Science and/or Music.

The recipient of this scholarship is a student who has a thirst for knowledge, the ability to be a team player, and the desire to be a future leader…aspects of life that were important to Brian while he was growing up and attending school in De Pere.  Find more details on the Brian LaViolette Scholarship here.

"This is someone that needs to be acknowledged"

Isn't it refreshing to hear good news on TV?  One of our advisory board members, Bill Welter, saw a news story on a young man graduating from UWGB last year.  He and his wife, Pam, were inspired by his story and said, "this is the type of man who needs to be acknowledge."

Thanks to the Welters, the Riley Garbe Scholarship will be awarded at Freedom High School over the next 10 years.  Riley graduated from there in 2013, went on to UW-Green Bay and is now a full-time Spanish teacher.

Going to college was a far-fetched idea for Riley, as he grew up surrounded by drug addiction, alcohol abuse, and violence. Despite the adversity Riley faced throughout his childhood, he persevered and achieved his goals. He has chosen to react to his tough life by sharing love with the world. 

The Riley Garbe Scholarship is a $2000 award.  Riley was taken by two of the applicants and decided to split the funds and award a scholarship to both.  

This years' recipients are Taylor Witthuhn (left) who will be studying Neuroscience and Psychology at UW-Madison and Maya Kwasny (right) who will be studying Psychology at UW-Milwaukee.

To read Riley's powerful speech from last week's presentation, click here.

You can also view the latest story on WBAY-TV2 by clicking the photo below.

General Patton Scholarship of Honor, Plzen Czech Republic... Advisory Board member, Bill Welter's experience.

I read about the Liberation Festival and was told by Doug LaViolette that you have no idea how moving it is until you are there in person. Well, from ‘Doug’s lips to God’s ear’ it was true.

The 6 days of celebrations and moving speeches is hard to capture in words. I witnessed 123 wreath laying at various memorials and each one was more moving than the last.

Brian’s story was the impetus for the Scholarship of Honor award. The citizens of Plzen heard Brian’s story and were moved by the generosity of so many contributors.

2018 General Patton Scholarship of Honor recipient, Barbora Lavičkova

General Patton’s grandson, Pat Waters, was in all events and told the Brian story repeatedly with emotion and respect.

I was fortunate enough to help with a contribution to the scholarship in honor of my brother-in-law, Jim Wilson, who accompanied us to Plzen. He told me it was the highlight of his life.

Jim Wilson

But what touched me the most was the unbelievable love the people of Plzen and the Czech Republic have for Americans. It was so emotional and I cried many times.

I came to Plzen believing the U.S. cannot be the policemen of the world and left with the truism…FREEDOM IS NOT FREE….IF NOT US THEN WHO? .

Bill Welter

Thanks to the Brian LaViolette Foundation's Scholarship of Honor program... it changed my life.