Pulaski High School Student is Awarded Brian LaViolette $10,000 Scholarship

Kelly Szczepanski , a graduate of Pulaski High School has been named the winner of the 2014 Brian LaViolette Scholarship.  She will be awarded $10,000 over 4 years towards her tuition at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.  She will be pursuing her dream of becoming a nurse practitioner.

Kelly was chosen from a group of 17 applicants by the Partners in Education committee and LaViolette family following considerations of an essay submission, interview, community service activities and leadership positions.

She is pictured here with her parents Daniel and Shirley

The one word

We asked what word you would use to describe Brian's Foundation.

Brian LaViolette Spirit Award

Last week we gathered with some very special people at our Spirit Award Luncheon to honor 6 individuals.  

The Brian LaViolette Spirit Award is our way to say 'thank you' to those individuals who give selflessly to improve their community and Brian's Foundation.

We were honored to present it to the following:

Darrel Burnett-our voice of the Foundation. He has been the Master of Ceremonies at all of our events and has helped us endlessly with copy edits and insights.  Darrel also sits on the Foundation's Board of  Directors and Advisory Board

Bill and Connie Schuler- our 'go to' team.  These two take responsibility without question and are the key to the success of our events. Connie also sits on our Advisory Board.

From left to right: Gregg Schneider, Ron and Colleen Weyers, Darrel Burnett, Connie and Bill Schuler

Gregg Schneider- our behind-the-scenes guy. Everything you have seen or held in your hand that showcases the Foundation has been designed by Gregg.  He has donated his design talent since the first day we became a Foundation.

Ron and Colleen Weyers-key supporters and believers in what we do. The entire Weyers family goes above and beyond to ensure the success of Brian's Foundation.  Their foundation has also sponsored several scholarships.

Creating Your Legacy

Planned giving offers you the opportunity to leave a gift of lasting significance to the Brian LaViolette Foundation, while providing tax and other financial benefits to you, your family and your estate.

While a planned gift can offer you tax benefits, it also allows you to support the Brian LaViolette Foundation’s mission without affecting your current financial situation. Estate gifts have immense value to the Foundation because they allow us to address long-term goals and objectives.

Different possibilities include charitable gift annuities, lead trusts, gifts of life insurance or appreciated securities and bequests. You can be an important part of the future for our students in decades to come.

"There is no more dedicated and visionary form of commitment to the future success and growth of the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation than a planned gift and it is so easy to do. I chose to make the Foundation a beneficiary of my life insurance proceeds to ensure the continuation of the annual scholarship I fund at Ashwaubenon High School. Please give consideration to joining others who have named the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation in their estate-planning vehicles, such as trusts and wills." -Victoria R. Parmentier

Benefits of Planned Gifts

Through planned or deferred giving, it is possible to:
• Make gifts to the Foundation that you might have previously thought impossible.
• Maximize your charitable contribution.
• Receive advantageous tax deductions under both state and federal law.
• Turn appreciated assets into an income for yourself and/or other family members.
• Increase your current income by reducing taxes and or avoiding capital gains tax.
• Pass assets to family at a reduced tax cost.
• Achieve your goals for the Brian LaViolette Foundation while enhancing your own personal financial plans and security.
• Make a significant donation to a charity, like the Brian LaViolette Foundation that will help us plan well into the future with an assured confidence.
• Experience the pride and satisfaction that comes with providing a major gift to a cause you support.
Although selecting a Planned Giving strategy can seem overwhelming. There are many options available, each with their own benefits and restrictions. The following are different types of planned gifts you can make to the Foundation.

Types of Planned Gifts:

• Bequests and Wills
• Charitable and Deferred Gift Annuities
• IRA or other Employee Benefit Plans
• Life Insurance Plans
• Mutual Funds
• Retirement Assets
• Annual and Special Gifts, Securities and Stocks
• Real estate and other assets Giving Made Easy If you have named the Brian LaViolette Foundation as a beneficiary in your estate plan, or if you are making plans to do so, please let us know by submitting an Estate Intention Letter.

Spring is one of our favorite seasons for the Foundation, mostly because it is Scholarship Season! 

Brian Ntshikila is attending LEAP Science and Maths School in South Africa.  He is pictured here with teacher, Mona Ewees.

Please see the date and times for our presentations below. We are truly looking forward to another year ahead and you can be apart of it!  

If you'd like to attend any of the presentations in your area, please let us know.

2014...Changing Lives, One Scholarship at a Time

Joel Gentz: Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN- April 26th Sal Giunta: JFK High School, Cedar Rapid, IA- April 28, 6:30 pm Megan Moore received the 1st annual  Rachel Bosveld Scholarship of Honor in 2013.  She is pictured here with Rachel's dad, Marvin and his wife, Julie. General George S. Patton: Pilsen, Czech Republic,- May 2nd  John Bradley: Appleton West High School, WI- May 12, 6:30 pm Rachel Bosveld: Waupun High School, WI- May 14, 7:00 pm   Victoria Parmentier Scholarship: Ashwaubenon High School, WI-May 14, 6:30 pm Joe Welke: Rapid City Stevens High School, SD- May 15, 7:00pm  Andrew Brownfield: North High School, Akron, OH- May 16, 9:00 am   Jerome Hatfield: Tunstall High School, Dry Fork, VA- May 16, 8:45 am  Isaiah Hunt:  Bayport High School, WI-- May 16, 9:00am Matt Atkinson Community: Green Bay East, WI- May 19, 7:00 pm Danny Dietz: Heritage High School, Littleton, CO-- May 19, 6:30 pm  Lukas Buttke, the 2013 Brian LaViolette Scholarship recipient is pictured here with his parents, Kim and George. Brian LaViolette: Partners in Education Youth Celebration, WI- May 20, 6:00 pm Ellsworth Scholarship:  Belding High School, MI- May 21, 7:00 pm *First time scholarship award presentation Kyle Hemauer: Chilton High School, WI--May 21, 7:00pm Len Keller: Auburn High School, Rockford IL-May 21, 6:00 pm Ken Kubsch:  Manitowoc High School, WI May 21, 7:00 pm Ron Sager:  Fox Valley Lutheran High School, WI- May 21, 9:00am Ben Edinger: Green Bay West High School, WI-- May 21, 6:30pm Brent Vroman: Omro High School, WI May 21, 6:45pm  Jesse Thiry:  Luxemburg Casco High School, WI, May 23, 9:00 am Robert Foley: United States Military Academy, West Point NY- May 27, 2:00 pm Nueske Family: Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School, WI- May 27 * First Annual Scholarship award presentation Bhim Sutar will be studying to become a nurse. Theresa Carter of Omnova Business Solutions who sponsors the award presents at North High School. Ken Hess:  Reynolds High School, Asheville NC-TBD  Ollie Bogsted Scholarship: Suring High School, WI-Awarded in May "The Journey is the Reward" Scholarship: Suring High School, WI- Awarded in May  NWTC Scholarship: Suring High School, WI-- Awarded in May  Eric McColley: Gettysburg High School, PA-- May 28, 7:00pm Nichole Frye: Lena High School, WI-- May 28, 7:30pm James Cathey: Reno High School, NV- May 28, 7:00 pm Ryan Jerabek: Pulaski High School, WI- May 28, 8:30 am Above and Beyond Scholarship: Oconto High School, WI-May 28, 7:30pm Esther Cleveland Safford: Oconto High School, WI- May 28 7:30pm Robert Safford: Oconto High School, WI- May 28, 7:30pm "The Journey is the Reward":Oconto High School, WI-May 28, 7:30pm NWTC Scholarship: Oconto High School, WI- May 28,  7:30pm  Cody Christensen with his parents at the NWTC awards night Mike Colalillo: Denfeld High School, MN-May 29, 7:00pm Ken Stumpf, Elmer Burr: Menasha High School, WI-June 3, 9:30am Tom Hudner: Civil Air Patrol, Appleton, WI-TBD Nainoa Hoe: 1Lt Nainoa K. Hoe Battle Command Training Center, Schofield Barracks, HI- August 28 South Africa Scholarship: LEAP School Science and Math, Cape Town, Republic of South Africa--Summer of 2014 Poland Scholarships (6 Scholarships): Nidzica Foundation Award Ceremony, Nidzica Poland-September   St. Norbert Scholarships (4 Scholarships): DePere, WI --October 2014 Junior Achievement-Awarded during Business Challenge to Amanda Charles in February