May 8, 2024 For Immediate Release
On May 7th, the Merrill High School Youth Apprenticeship Program honored its Student Stars at a celebratory banquet held at the Eagle's Club. Surrounded by friends, family, mentors, and employers, students were recognized for outstanding achievement in developing career readiness skills at their worksites.
“These students have gone above and beyond in their commitment to learning and growth,” said YA Coordinator Linda Murray. “They’re not just building skills—they’re building their futures.”
Out of the 93 students participating in the program this school year, 12 were selected to receive this distinguished honor. One mentor remarked, “It’s inspiring to see how far these students have come in such a short time. Their drive and professionalism are beyond their years.”
Pictured from left to right bottom row: Maya Paulus, Nicolet Bank; Anna Hintz, Trinity Lutheran Early Learning Center; Marley Krueger, Brooke’s School of Dance; Takiyah Sell, Dave’s County Market; Jocelynn Broullire, Organique Clinic; Joseph Jensen, Walmart
Pictured from left to right standing: Shannon Murray, MAPS Superintendent of Schools; Noah Moore, Geiss Meat Service; Russell Gruetzmacher, Gruetzmacher Enterprises; Brandon Skomars, Gold Medal Cattle Company; Kaden Hannemann, Brickner’s Park City; Shaddock Schmidt, Walmart; Brad Potter, Merrill High School Associate Principal. Not pictured: Evan Fredericks
This year, a new honor was introduced: Mentor of the Year, awarded to Greg Gressens. Greg has served as a dedicated mentor for YA students since the program’s inception at Brickner’s Park City.
“Greg’s impact goes far beyond the workplace,” said YA Coordinator Steve Hintze. “He leads by example, inspires confidence, and truly invests in the success of every student he mentors.”
In response to receiving the award, Greg shared, “It’s been incredibly rewarding to watch these students grow, not just in their skills, but in their confidence. I’m honored to play a small part in their journey.”
Pictured from left to right: Greg Gresens, Mentor; Kaden Hannemann, Youth Apprentice; and, Jim Brickner, Owner Brickner’s Park City
The Youth Apprenticeship Program is a rigorous one or two-year elective, statewide program for high school juniors and seniors that combines academic and technical instruction with mentored, paid, on-the-job learning that makes a real world connection for students. Youth Apprentices work a minimum of 450 hours at their YA worksite each year of their program and take related high school or college classes to enhance their worksite experiences. They earn one credit for each semester they successfully participate in YA, and at the completion of their apprenticeship, they receive a Certificate of Occupational Proficiency from the State of Wisconsin, an accomplishment that is recognized by both employers and colleges alike.
The 16 program areas available through Wisconsin’s Youth Apprenticeship Program are agriculture, food and natural resources; architecture and construction; art, a/v technology & communications; business; education; finance; government and public administration, health science; hospitality, lodging & tourism; human services; information technology; law, public safety, corrections and security; manufacturing; marketing; science, technology, engineering and math; and transportation, distribution and logistics.
Employers hire apprentices for a variety of reasons including being able to recruit potential employees and shape the quality of their workforce, develop partnerships with Merrill High School, build great employee loyalty and create positive PR by helping youth with employment and education.
Students become apprentices because they earn a paycheck while learning from skilled professionals. Also they become more organized and efficient with their time, increase career awareness and improve future employability and develop the necessary skills needed for entry-level employment and in some program areas begin working towards a Registered Apprenticeship.
Contact Linda Murray or Steve Hintze, Youth Apprenticeship Coordinators at 715-536-4594 for more information or if students or businesses would like to participate in the program next school year.