MONROE - Excitement was one emotion recent graduate Madeline Kuckuk felt when she learned she was the first recipient of the John and Katie Baumann Inspiration Project Scholar-ship, but there were also a few others.
"I was completely surprised," Kuckuk said. "I was overjoyed."
The Baumann Inspiration Project Scholarship, recently established by Monroe natives John and Katie Baumann through a donation of $125,000 in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin Nicholas Match, is meant to provide support to Monroe High School graduates who attend the university. The scholarship awarded Kuckuk with $5,000 to help with her education costs while she attends the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The match fund has a total of $50 million. It was established by university alumni Ab and Nancy Nicholas and is dedicated to matching any scholarship funds in collaboration with it.
Kuckuk, who turned 18 Monday, plans to pursue a degree in chemical engineering while attending UW-Madison. She said part of the reason she pursued chemical engineering was due to her father, who is a mechanical engineer. She also enjoys spending time finding answers.
"I was always really into science and math," Kuckuk said. "I realized I really enjoy the process of finding different solutions to problems."
The scholarship was formed this spring, and Kuckuk is the first Monroe High School graduate to receive the award. Community engagement was an attribute John Baumman had previously said was a necessity in choosing a scholarship recipient.
Kuckuk was a member of the MHS National Honor Society, among other student organizations. A press release from Vince Sweeney, vice president of communications for the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association, listed Kuckuk's organizational involvement, her work as a math tutor for other students, and her volunteer time at the Green County Humane Society as positive attributes.
However, Kuckuk said NHS was likely the organization she valued most because of the like-minded individuals in the group. Society participants formed smaller groups to volunteer on various projects. Kuckuk said she was happy to spend time creating a veterans honor quilt that the students presented to a local veteran.
Being the recipient of an award focused on community service and those who have a positive impact on others has made her proud, and Kuckuk said she felt honored to be recognized in that way.
"It just gives you a sense of accomplishment," Kuckuk said. "Sometimes it's easy to feel that no one notices when you do nice things, even if you get personal happiness from it, and it's nice when you're acknowledged for work you do."
Once everything is organized at UW in the fall, and her schedule becomes routine, Kuckuk said she hopes to start volunteering after what is likely to be a big life change. Baumann explained that the Wisconsin Idea is to mold students toward contributing to their current and future communities as a leader, and Kuckuk said she intends to continue community service long after she receives her degree.
"I was completely surprised," Kuckuk said. "I was overjoyed."
The Baumann Inspiration Project Scholarship, recently established by Monroe natives John and Katie Baumann through a donation of $125,000 in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin Nicholas Match, is meant to provide support to Monroe High School graduates who attend the university. The scholarship awarded Kuckuk with $5,000 to help with her education costs while she attends the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The match fund has a total of $50 million. It was established by university alumni Ab and Nancy Nicholas and is dedicated to matching any scholarship funds in collaboration with it.
Kuckuk, who turned 18 Monday, plans to pursue a degree in chemical engineering while attending UW-Madison. She said part of the reason she pursued chemical engineering was due to her father, who is a mechanical engineer. She also enjoys spending time finding answers.
"I was always really into science and math," Kuckuk said. "I realized I really enjoy the process of finding different solutions to problems."
The scholarship was formed this spring, and Kuckuk is the first Monroe High School graduate to receive the award. Community engagement was an attribute John Baumman had previously said was a necessity in choosing a scholarship recipient.
Kuckuk was a member of the MHS National Honor Society, among other student organizations. A press release from Vince Sweeney, vice president of communications for the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association, listed Kuckuk's organizational involvement, her work as a math tutor for other students, and her volunteer time at the Green County Humane Society as positive attributes.
However, Kuckuk said NHS was likely the organization she valued most because of the like-minded individuals in the group. Society participants formed smaller groups to volunteer on various projects. Kuckuk said she was happy to spend time creating a veterans honor quilt that the students presented to a local veteran.
Being the recipient of an award focused on community service and those who have a positive impact on others has made her proud, and Kuckuk said she felt honored to be recognized in that way.
"It just gives you a sense of accomplishment," Kuckuk said. "Sometimes it's easy to feel that no one notices when you do nice things, even if you get personal happiness from it, and it's nice when you're acknowledged for work you do."
Once everything is organized at UW in the fall, and her schedule becomes routine, Kuckuk said she hopes to start volunteering after what is likely to be a big life change. Baumann explained that the Wisconsin Idea is to mold students toward contributing to their current and future communities as a leader, and Kuckuk said she intends to continue community service long after she receives her degree.