March Month in Review
This month, students had the chance to participate in mock interviews with local businesses. These experiences gave students valuable insight into what real interviews are like while building their confidence and communication skills. Over two days, community partners from companies like Ahlstrom, Arla, Bellin Health, Faith Technologies, Miron Construction, and many more joined us to help students take this important step in preparing for their futures.
A huge thank you to all the businesses that gave their time and expertise to support our students. Your presence makes a lasting impact. If you're a local business or professional who’d like to get involved with future events like this, we’d love to connect with you.
The Forensics team had a strong month, continuing a season full of top finishes. They placed second at both their home tournament and at Neenah, with students winning in multiple categories and advancing to final rounds. At Waupaca, they grabbed third place and kept the playacting group's win streak going with their fourth straight tournament victory.
In total, the team has now placed in the top three at seven of their eight tournaments this season. Their hard work and preparation continue to show, and we’re proud of the way they represent KHS.
Kaukauna students made their mark at the Junior Achievement Titan Challenge, a business and finance competition that included 48 teams from the region. Our first place team of Dylan Hackel and Linkoln Xiong earned $1,000 scholarships each and will be advancing to the state competition in May. Mason Rosenbeck and Sam Weber finished third overall and each earned $250 scholarships.
This is another great example of how our students are rising to challenges and taking full advantage of opportunities to grow and shine beyond the classroom.
Kyle Dunphy, our outstanding Tech and Engineering teacher, was recognized this month with a Fox Cities Chamber Excellence in Education Shining Star Award. Kyle was one of only ten educators across the entire Fox Cities area to receive this honor, which highlights educators who go above and beyond to make a lasting impact on students and their communities.
He was celebrated at a banquet held at Butte des Morts Country Club, where his work and dedication were recognized among a room full of educational leaders and community members. We’re incredibly proud of Kyle and grateful to have him on our team. This recognition is well earned.
Students in Culinary and Career Explorations got a firsthand look at what it takes to run a business from Alyssa, owner of Little Birdies Treats & Coffee and The Coop. She spoke about entrepreneurship, the ups and downs of starting a business from scratch, and her experience in culinary arts—from baking to mixology. One highlight for students was hearing about her now-famous cinnamon roll latte, which comes topped with crushed dehydrated cinnamon rolls and homemade cream cheese cold foam.
A big thanks to Alyssa for taking the time to share her knowledge and passion with our students.
Students from Mr. Hallam’s and Mrs. Ortega’s classes were able to attend the Broadway musical Some Like It Hot at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center through the P.A.T.H.S. Program. Leading up to the show, students engaged in workshops that built excitement and gave them context for the experience.
The evening began with a dinner in the PAC’s Founder’s Room alongside the organization’s president and directors. For many of the students, it was a chance to dress up, step outside their comfort zones, and gain a new appreciation for the performing arts. It was a powerful reminder of how the arts can connect and inspire.
On March 19, we hosted a Family Engagement Night focused on Internet Safety, featuring Detective Lieutenant Mike Sewall from the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office. His presentation covered important topics like online privacy, cyberbullying, social media risks, and how families can have better conversations with their teens about digital life.
If you weren’t able to attend, no worries—he’ll be featured on next month’s episode of the Ghost Stories podcast, where he’ll share more insights for keeping kids safe online.
The Kaukauna Bowling team competed at the Wisconsin High School State Tournament this month. Myles Moseng had a strong showing in the singles event, rolling a 662 series and falling just ten pins short of advancing. The varsity boys team battled through 15 games of Baker format and ended up finishing in ninth place overall.
Coach Chad led the team with passion and encouragement, and the group responded with resilience after a tough first block. Their sportsmanship and positive attitude earned recognition from other coaches and made the KHS community proud. Special thanks go to Laurie Moseng, whose behind-the-scenes work helped make the season run smoothly.
Kaukauna Wrestling continued their incredible run by capturing their fifth consecutive WIAA Team State Championship. Senior Liam Crook earned his second individual state title, adding to a long list of accomplishments. Many other team members received all-conference honors for their hard work and dedication on the mat.
Coach Jeff Matczak was named FVA Coach of the Year. If you’d like to hear more about the program’s culture and what drives their success, check out this month’s episode of the Ghost Stories podcast. Coach Matczak, Liam Crook, and freshman Ron Ramadani all share their stories and reflections on the season
The boys basketball team wrapped up a fantastic season that saw them win the FVA Conference Championship and make it to the sectional round of the playoffs. The team finished with an overall record of 23-4 and had multiple players named to the All-Conference team.
Coach Mike Schalow was recognized as the FVA Coach of the Year, and the team represented KHS with pride all season long. It was an exciting and memorable run for everyone involved.
Each week, staff take time to recognize their peers for the great work happening in our building. This month’s honorees included Kevin Williams, Nicole Beck, and Jordon Rusk.
Mr. Williams was celebrated for the respectful and inclusive environment he creates in his classroom, where student creativity and confidence thrive.
Mrs. Beck was recognized for her work with the STEAM Girls group and her consistent support for colleagues with curriculum and student questions.
Mrs. Rusk was praised for the calm, kind presence she brings to her classroom and her ability to support a wide range of student needs with grace. Her room is a warm, inclusive space where all students feel welcomed.
These staff members go above and beyond every day, and we’re grateful to have them on our faculty.
We’re excited to share that on Friday, May 16, Kaukauna High School will host the sixth annual Breaking Boundaries Triathlon—an adaptive triathlon designed for students with disabilities from Kaukauna, Kimberly, and Little Chute. Students will take part in swimming, biking, and running or walking, starting at the Heart of the Valley YMCA and finishing at the Bank of Kaukauna Stadium along the CE trail.
This event is all about promoting a healthy lifestyle, celebrating ability, and creating opportunities for students to push themselves in a supportive and empowering environment. Our goal is to provide this event at no cost to the students, and we’re always looking for sponsors or donations to help make that happen. Please help us out if you can!
Coming up on April 2, we’ll be celebrating students who made significant academic gains in Trimester 2 at the 180° Awards. These students have shown grit and determination, and we can’t wait to cheer them on.
We’ve also got Prom coming up, warmer weather (hopefully), and spring athletic competitions.