On May 20th, 2025, the Do Great Things Initiative awarded three scholarships and one financial grant to hard-working students from Green Bay West High School. The Do Great Things Initiative, a program that began four years ago, is designed to help students plan for their future, become college ready, and fund the cost of college. Since 2022, the Initiative has raised $6.5 million dollars and granted thirteen scholarships and several financial grants. The Initiative also provides funds for the faculty and staff to coordinate opportunities to the students to explore careers, focus academically, tour colleges, improve attendance, complete financial aid registration, and be exposed to the arts.
Kai Alcaide Receives the DGTI Marquette University Scholarship
Kai plans to attend Marquette University as a nursing student, but she is also interested in aspects of the healthcare industry that relate to patient rights and the law. Kai is known at West High as a girl with a ton of hobbies; she makes perfume, cooks, bakes, and creates art. She is a leader in the National Honor Society, IB Club, and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA.) As a full IB Diploma candidate, her courses are very vigorous, but she likes challenging herself. From her volunteer work at St. Vincent Hospital to her future as a nurse, she said she will use what she had learned from these courses to guide her work with patients.
Chloe Burton Receives the DGTI Scholarship to Marquette University
Chloe is an AVID student and Vice President of the IB Club. She is very involved in school activities including soccer (where she is Varsity captain), Yearbook, Tiny Earth, and Octagon Club. Even more impressive is Chloe’s commitment to volunteerism. She has nearly 230 service learning hours and will receive the President’s Volunteer Service Award upon graduation. Chloe, an upcoming engineering student, dreams of working on Formula 1 race cars. As she works toward her goals, the quote that guides her is by Albert Einstein: “The world as we created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.”
Axel Madaski Receives the DGTI Scholarship to University of Wisconsin – Green Bay
Axel’s goal is to teach students between pre-K and 2nd grade. His favorite class at West High was Child Development with Ms. Brice. His hobbies include drawing, listening to music, and gaming. When at school, he is involved in Yearbook Club and the Gay-Straight Alliance. He loved UW-Green Bay for its teaching program, especially the many different types of opportunities he will get as he works toward his teaching license.
Ephraim Rogina Receives the DGTI $5000 grant to Michigan Technological University
Ephraim will be attending Michigan Technological University for Civil Engineering next year. He has always been very interested in maps and math, leading him to his decision. Ephraim is thrilled to be receiving a grant from the Do Great Things Initiative so that he can receive a strong post-secondary education without having to worry about costs.
Keynote Speakers Applauded the Student’s Accomplishments
Students were congratulated and given advice from Jim Ryan, Green Bay West Alum ’85 and DGTI Founder, Gary Wiessinger, Green Bay West Alum ’89 and DGTI Board Member, Dexter McNabb, Principal of West High School, Heather Zelzer, Associate Principal of West High School, Patrick Correia-Harker, Associate Director, Admissions, at Marquette University, David Johns, GBAPS Associate Superintendent and Rachele Bakie, Assistant Director of Admissions at UWGB.
