Labor Day is one of those holidays that can sneak up on us.
For many people, it means a long weekend, the unofficial end of summer, one last cookout, and perhaps the realization that the kids really do have to go back to school.
But at its heart, Labor Day is about something much bigger.
It is a day set aside to recognize the contributions of American workers and the role that work has played in building our communities and our country. The U.S. Department of Labor describes Labor Day as a celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. The holiday became a national observance in 1894.
For the New Berlin High Schools Alumni Foundation, that makes Labor Day a particularly appropriate time to talk about the future.
More specifically, the future workforce.
For decades, the traditional message to high school graduates has been fairly simple:
Go to college.
And for many students, that’s exactly the right advice.
But it isn’t the only path to a successful career.
A student can graduate from New Berlin Eisenhower or New Berlin West and choose to pursue automotive technology, carpentry, heavy equipment operation, an apprenticeship, technical training, or another skilled profession. Those paths can lead to stable, rewarding careers and provide skills that communities and businesses depend upon every day.
The problem is that students pursuing these careers don’t always receive the same level of scholarship support available to students attending traditional four-year colleges.
That is one of the reasons the New Berlin High Schools Alumni Foundation created our trade and technical scholarship program.
We believe students should have the opportunity to pursue the education and training that best fits their goals—not simply the path that has traditionally received the most attention.
Walk through almost any community and you’ll see evidence of the importance of skilled workers.
Someone has to build the homes.
Someone has to repair the vehicles.
Someone has to operate the heavy equipment.
Someone has to install electrical systems, maintain machinery, build cabinets, repair infrastructure, and keep businesses operating.
And many of the people currently doing those jobs are approaching retirement.
Across the skilled trades, employers are facing a growing challenge: too many experienced workers are leaving the workforce while not enough new workers are entering to replace them.
The exact numbers vary by occupation and industry, but the overall trend is clear. The skilled-trades workforce needs the next generation.
That means we need to start thinking differently about how we prepare our students for their futures.
Over the past four years, the New Berlin High Schools Alumni Foundation has awarded four scholarships to students pursuing careers and education outside the traditional four-year college path.
Our recipients have pursued fields including:
Last year, we increased the scholarship amount to $1,000.
That $1,000 may not pay for an entire technical program or apprenticeship, but that’s not really the point.
For a student starting a technical program or apprenticeship, there can be immediate expenses: tools, equipment, safety gear, tuition, transportation, books, and other costs that come with getting started.
A scholarship can help remove one of those barriers.
Our 2026 scholarship recipient, Max Psicihulis, is a great example.
Max is preparing to begin a career as a Heavy Equipment Operator apprentice. His story is exactly what we hope this program can support: a student who knows the direction he wants to take, has demonstrated responsibility and a strong work ethic, and is ready to begin building his future.
When Max walked across the stage at New Berlin West’s Senior Honors Night to receive his scholarship, the applause said a lot.
It wasn’t simply about receiving $1,000.
It was about recognizing a young person who had worked hard and was taking the next step toward his future.
Here’s the part we don’t want to lose sight of.
There are typically about 25 students who could potentially benefit from this type of scholarship.
Right now, our funding limits how many students we can support.
That means there are students graduating from New Berlin Eisenhower and New Berlin West who may be ready to enter a technical program, apprenticeship, or skilled trade—but we aren’t currently able to provide scholarships to all of them.
That’s not because the need isn’t there.
It’s because the funding isn’t there yet.
And that’s something our alumni and community can change.
We don’t need to choose between supporting college-bound students and supporting students entering the trades.
We need to support students.
Period.
Some will become doctors, teachers, engineers, accountants, or business professionals.
Others will become electricians, carpenters, mechanics, operators, technicians, and skilled craftsmen and women.
All of those careers matter.
All of those people contribute to the strength of our community.
And all of those students deserve to know that the community behind them believes their future is worth investing in.
That’s what our trade and technical scholarship program is about.
This Labor Day, we’re grateful for the people whose work built the community we enjoy today.
And we’re thinking about the young people who will build, repair, operate, create, and lead the community tomorrow.
College isn’t the only path to a successful career.
For some students, the right path is a technical school. For others, it’s an apprenticeship. For others, it’s learning a skilled trade.
Our job is to help make those paths possible.
And with the support of our alumni and friends, we can do much more.
There are students ready to get to work. Let’s help them get started.
Scholarship deadlines & announcements
Alumni gatherings, including WestFest, IKEfest & class reunions
NBHSAF merch, fundraisers & ways to support students