Where in the world is... "Admissions Nicole?"

Calling all KUSD Youth Options Students & Parents!

Save the date, mark your calendars and plan on being at this MUST-ATTEND meeting to get everything you need to know on being a KUSD Youth Options student!:

The Kenosha Unified School District Youth Options Information Night
Wednesday, September 9th
At the KUSD Educational Support Center
(3600 52nd Street in Kenosha) 
Two sessions are offered, 5:00p.m. and an encore at 6:30p.m.

The program is hosted by Tremper High School's Evening with the Counselors Series and is OPEN TO ALL KUSD STUDENTS (and their PARENTS) who are interested in learning about the Youth Options program.   

The purpose of the informational sessions are to help those interested in the program be aware of important deadlines, understand changes to the state law as well as district policy (which govern the program) and to facilitate students in the application process.  Whether you are new to Youth Options or a returning student to the program, it is important to attend this event. 

Each session will offer:

- Introduction to Youth Options, State & District Policy, Paperwork & Deadlines, etc.

- Youth Options Presentation for UW-Parkside, Gateway Technical College & Carthage
  (each 5 to 10 minutes)  

- Q&A/Information tables with KUSD Staff,  UW-Parkside, Gateway Technical College & Carthage.

In the meantime, here are some helpful links to get you acquainted with Youth Options:

State of Wisconsin's DPI: Youth Options Website (for any public high school student in WI)

Kenosha Unified's Youth Option Website (for KUSD YOP students)

UW-Parkside's Youth Options Website (for all students interested in YOP at UW-P)

See you September 9th at the KUSD's YOP Info. night!

~ Nicole

Relay for Life: UW-P Alumni Style!

Last Friday night into Saturday morning was Relay for Life in Kenosha, which is a major fund-raising event for the American Cancer Society.  It was a powerful experience and it was an honor to  participate.  UW-Parkside Alumni had a tent (which came in handy for the rain).  We were complete with our UW-Parkside gear, UW-P flags and green-frosted cupcakes!  The bottles of water were much appreciated as well!  The night began with the survivor's lap in which my mother participated in (right).  Just our luck that it downpoured as soon as the lap began but it did not dampen our spirits!

Pictured at left are my fellow UW-P Alumni Relayers Gina Radandt '90 and Jim Stephens MBA'03.  We were the first to start the evenings laps and took turns. This was my first Relay and I'm already planning on participating next year!  It's a real party!  Many people think that this event is only for those who are "Relayers," but i quickly discovered why this is a great event for the entire community!  Along the track are vendor tents that have fun and clever ways they are raising money for The American Cancer Society.  Most of these cost between $1-$10.00.  They were selling everything from massages, face painting for the kids, balloon animals, pictures w/Santa, AMAZING raffles where you can win Coach purses, Packer tickets, autographed gear, gift and certificates. You won't go hungry at Relay because there are tons of food sales (everything from homemade tamales, chocolate covered strawberries, Italian cookies and even fair trade coffee - to name a few!).  For a small fee you can even send your significant other and/or your kids to "jail" and then for a very very small ransom they can get "bailed out!"  (C'mon, how many times have you wanted to do something like that?!) 

Throughout the night they also have bands and hilarious contests, one of which was "Dude Looks like a  Lady."  Guys were dressed as women and all received purses - they worked the track to get donations and at 10p.m. the "lady" who raised the most money won the "Dude Looks Like a Lady" crown.  My personal favorites were the 2 orthodontists from town who were dressed as "The Tooth Fairies" (left).  They exclaimed, "We've been leaving money under your pillow for years - it's now your turn to give us money for The American Cancer Society! 

I'm already telling my alumni friends about this event for next year - it would be great to have a UW-P Alumni "Reunion at Relay" and have a "sea of green" walking!  Even if you can't commit to the whole night, just walking for an hour or two and having your family there makes for a fun night.  My husband couldn't get enough of the great food and our 3 year old daughter loved all the things to do - she didn't want to go home! 

 A big thanks to our team captain, Amber Engel who organized our group.  Also a personal thank you to all of my donors who got me $100 over my goal!  Kudos the the UW-Parkside Alumni Relay team who raised over $1,500 for ACS!  Our team members were:

Amber Engel (Captain)
Karen Grabher
Peggy Karls
Nicole Leipski
Lori McCullough Curi
Rich Miles
Gina Radandt
James Stephens
Matthew Stephens

For more info on what went on at Relay visit The Kenosha News.

See you on the road!

~ Nicole