Every spring, the New Berlin High Schools Alumni Foundation (NBHSAF) recognizes graduating seniors who have applied for our vocational-and-trade scholarship. This year, we received nearly twenty applications, and—thanks to the generosity of alumni and patrons—we were able to increase each award from $500 to $1,000. We are pleased to announce our two 2025 scholarship recipients:
Jaxon Wiese
Brendan Carpenter
Jaxon Wiese
Jaxon has been awarded a $1,000 vocational scholarship and will be attending Bryant & Stratton College in fall 2025, where he plans to study Business Management. By choosing this program, Jaxon intends to build foundational skills in accounting, marketing, organizational behavior, and business law—preparing him for entry-level roles in the business world or possible transfer into a four-year program later on. His decision to pursue Business Management aligns with the NBHSAF’s mission to support practical, career-focused education outside the traditional four-year university pathway.
Brendan Carpenter
Brendan is also a $1,000 scholarship recipient and will enroll at Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) beginning in fall 2025 to become an Automotive Technician. WCTC’s Automotive Technology curriculum emphasizes hands-on training with modern diagnostic tools, engine repair, electrical systems, and other core competencies needed in today’s repair shops. Brendan’s decision to pursue training at WCTC will prepare him to sit for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification exams and enter the workforce as a qualified entry-level technician upon graduation.
For the 2025 cycle, NBHSAF’s scholarship committee reviewed almost twenty complete applications from graduating seniors who demonstrated interest in two-year vocational programs, trade schools, or apprenticeship pathways. Each application package included:
Academic Transcript (highlighting GPA and coursework relevant to the intended field)
Personal Essay (detailing career goals, interest in a technical or vocational pathway, and any related work or volunteer experience)
Letters of Recommendation (from teachers, employers, or community leaders)
Committee members scored each candidate on academic achievement, clarity of career goals, and demonstrated commitment to their chosen field. Finalists were then interviewed briefly by a panel of alumni volunteers, focusing on how the scholarship would impact their educational journey. From those semifinalists, Jaxon Wiese and Brendan Carpenter emerged as the top two recipients, selected on the strength of their applications and interviews.
In previous years, NBHSAF awarded $500 per scholarship recipient. For 2025, the foundation was able to double that amount to $1,000 per student. This decision was made possible by:
Alumni Contributions: A number of New Berlin High School graduates made one-time or recurring donations specifically earmarked for vocational scholarships.
Corporate Sponsorships: Local businesses in New Berlin contributed directly to the scholarship fund. Their support reflects demand for skilled workers—whether in business operations or automotive services.
Community Patron Gifts: Civic groups, neighborhood associations, and individual donors added to an endowment intended to stabilize and grow our vocational funding over time.
Doubling the award helps cover tuition, books, uniforms, tools, or other program fees that often accompany vocational tracks. For instance, Jaxon’s Business Management program requires textbooks, business software access, and registration fees, while Brendan’s Automotive Technician track entails specialized tools and lab fees. By providing $1,000, NBHSAF ensures that recipients can concentrate on their studies rather than financial constraints.
Vocational and trade education offers a viable—and often more affordable—alternative to traditional four-year degrees. In Wisconsin, as in many states, employers across industries report shortages of skilled technicians, business support staff, and other trade professionals. Scholarships like ours:
Reduce Financial Barriers: Two-year programs generally cost less than four-year universities. Any scholarship funding that offsets tuition, books, or equipment can significantly lessen student debt.
Shorten Time to Workforce Entry: Many technical degrees or certifications require only two years or less, allowing graduates to join the labor market sooner.
Support Local Economic Needs: By aligning scholarship funds with fields that have strong demand—such as business administration and automotive service—NBHSAF helps ensure New Berlin businesses can find qualified employees.
Offer Practical, Hands-On Training: Vocational schools emphasize real-world experience, whether through internships, workshops, or lab courses. This practical learning approach often translates to higher job placement rates immediately after graduation.
Supporting Jaxon in Business Management and Brendan in Automotive Technology exemplifies NBHSAF’s commitment to building a workforce that meets our community’s evolving needs.
Because details beyond their names, institutions, and fields of study were not provided, this post focuses on the confirmed facts:
Jaxon Wiese
Institution: Bryant & Stratton College
Program: Business Management
Award: $1,000
Brendan Carpenter
Institution: Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC)
Program: Automotive Technician
Award: $1,000
These two recipients were selected from a competitive pool of nearly twenty applicants. Their academic records, personal essays, and career objectives aligned with NBHSAF’s goal to promote vocational and trade education.
The NBHSAF Board of Directors and Scholarship Committee extend sincere thanks to:
Alumni Donors: By directing contributions toward vocational scholarships, you have empowered these students to pursue specialized training.
Corporate Partners: Your support reaffirms the importance of a local, skilled workforce.
Community Patrons: Your gifts to our endowment safeguard the future of apprenticeship and technical education funding.
Because of your collective generosity, two deserving students will begin their post-secondary journeys with $1,000 each—an investment toward textbooks, tools, software access, and other essential resources.
Students interested in applying for the 2026 NBHSAF vocational scholarship should keep these points in mind:
Check Eligibility Requirements Early: Applicants must be graduating seniors from New Berlin High Schools planning to enroll in a two-year technical or trade program, apprenticeship, or publicly accredited vocational curriculum.
Prepare a Strong Personal Essay: Clearly explain your chosen field, why vocational training is the right path, and how the scholarship will support your goals.
Gather Letters of Recommendation: Secure at least two references—such as teachers, employers, or community leaders—who can speak to your character, work ethic, and suitability for a vocational career.
Show Involvement: Highlight any relevant part-time jobs, volunteer work, or extracurricular activities that demonstrate your commitment to your chosen field.
Meet Deadlines: The 2026 application window will open next winter. Applicants should plan to submit materials (transcript, essay, recommendations) by the stated deadline to be considered.
By preparing early, future candidates can present the strongest possible application to compete for next year’s awards.
If you would like to help sustain and grow NBHSAF’s vocational scholarships, please consider the following:
Make a One-Time or Recurring Donation: Even modest contributions add up when combined with other donations.
Become a Corporate Sponsor: Local businesses can sponsor a scholarship slot or provide in-kind support—such as tools for automotive students or software licenses for business management programs.
Volunteer as an Interviewer or Committee Member: Alumni members who wish to participate in the review process each winter are always welcome.
Attend NBHSAF Events: We host informational nights and alumni panels to connect high school students with former scholarship recipients. Watch our website and social media for dates and locations.
Your involvement—whether financial, advisory, or time-based—directly influences our ability to support New Berlin’s future workforce.
Congratulations again to our 2025 recipients, Jaxon Wiese (Bryant & Stratton College, Business Management) and Brendan Carpenter (WCTC, Automotive Technician). It is through community support that NBHSAF can fulfill its mission of empowering students pursuing vocational and trade education. By doubling our award amounts from $500 to $1,000, we aim to lessen the financial burden on these students and help them focus on acquiring the skills that local businesses need.
Thank you to everyone—alumni, corporate partners, and patrons—who made this possible. We look forward to seeing the successes of Jaxon, Brendan, and all future scholarship recipients as they prepare to enter the workforce in their chosen fields.
For more information about our scholarship program, upcoming deadlines, or how to get involved, please visit the NBHSAF website or contact our office directly.
