Mr. Kalupa Middle School Principal FROM OUR LEADERSHello Aug Prep families! My name is Jim Kalupa and I am the new Middle School Principal. I have been an educator on the Southside of Milwaukee for 23 years, and this is my third year at Aug Prep. I love working with your students and am extremely grateful for the opportunity to partner with you to make your Aug Prep educational experience truly exceptional. We are blessed to have wonderful scholars, passionate teachers and a beautiful school. As we begin 2022, our Middle School has been extremely busy. At the end of December, we finished our final exams in reading, math and science. We are amazed by our scholars’ growth since the beginning of the school year, and we are excited to see how they will perform on our winter MAP tests, which begin January 19. Your scholars will be having meetings with their teachers to set goals and make sure they are set up for success on these assessments. We are also very proud to share our amazing school and numerous educational opportunities with potential new Aug Prep scholars at our Open House on Saturday, January 22. We will have an opening prayer, a presentation offering an overview of Aug Prep and tours of our school. Please spread the word to families you think would be a great addition to the Aug Prep Family! As we start the new 2022 year, I find myself reflecting on the Bible passage of Lamentations 3:22-24:
Each day is a new day, and a new opportunity to do great things for Him. We are on a journey! Let us be grateful. Happy New Year Aug Prep Families! ELEMENTARY & MIDDLE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE |
Juan Lopez CasillasIntended Major: Pre-Medicine What Colleges/Universities have you applied to or have been accepted to? I was accepted at Cardinal Stritch University, Wisconsin Lutheran and Carroll University. Why Pre-Medicine? I chose this major because I want to pursue a degree in endocrinology. It makes me happy to know that I am helping people. Favorite Memory at Aug Prep? My favorite memory would be working with friends on assignments during our flex period and other classes. I've learned a lot from them and it's fun! Faith Journey My faith has grown since being at Aug Prep because it has nurtured my growth with God. I am always able to reach out to someone if I have questions and I appreciate that. What pre-college programs, sports, or clubs have you participated in?
Advice for HS Students My advice would be to have a good time but to also be responsible. Try new things, be a part of sports or clubs and be open-minded because it can benefit your college application. What are you most excited about this school year? I am most excited to graduate! Shoutouts! I am giving a shoutout to Yarreliz Garcia because she always listens and is an incredible friend. She has been encouraging and a good role model all four years of high school. |
Kenny LaboyIntended Major: Physical Therapy/Athletic Training What Colleges/Universities have you applied to or have been accepted to? I have been accepted to Wisconsin Lutheran College, Concordia University, UW-Milwaukee, MATC, and Cardinal Stritch University. I also plan on applying for the All-In Milwaukee Scholarship. Why Physical Therapy/Athletic Training? I chose this major because I love learning about how the body works. I've played sports my whole life and have seen different injuries that come up. It would be great to help those who have experienced injuries and want to recover. Favorite Memory at Aug Prep? My favorite memory at Aug Prep was at the One Meal event because we were helping people who don't always have a meal to eat every night. It was a good experience to be a part of. Faith Journey Having Chapel every week and going to church every week has helped my faith grow. Focusing on God and not being afraid of what anyone else thinks has also helped me grow. What pre-college programs, sports, or clubs have you participated in?
Advice for HS Students Try your hardest now, so that you won't regret it later. What are you most excited about this school year? I am excited to spend my last year with my friends and teachers. I am also excited to play in my final baseball season. Shoutouts! Mr. Lueck deserves a shoutout for all the hard work and time he puts into each of us. He has helped me see things from another perspective and has given me a lot of advice that I can apply later in life. |
Leslie CardenasIntended Major: Optometry and Accounting What Colleges/Universities have you applied to or have been accepted to? I was accepted to Carrol University, Wisconsin Lutheran College with $16,000 in scholarships, Mount Mary with $68,000 in scholarships and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Why optometrist and accounting? I chose to be an optometrist because my sister is the only one that uses glasses. I would have to go to her appointments to get new glasses and the optometrist job looked very interesting. An optometrist is a very cool career and people don't really notice that there are many different types of doctors. I would also like to study accounting because I enjoy math and money and I think I would have fun doing that. Favorite Memory at Aug Prep? My favorite memory would be when I was volunteering at One Meal and Thanksgiving food drives. I had great moments with my friends and we felt good doing something for families that needed food. Faith Journey I came in as a Catholic but God wasn't my main focus. Coming to Aug Prep has changed the relationship between God and me. Now, God is first and He makes me whole. What pre-college programs, sports, or clubs have you participated in?
Advice for HS Students Always be strong. There is always someone or something that will make you overthink and not do great. Start doing everything you always wanted to do because as a senior, I realized that I should have done more during my freshmen and sophomore year that I now regret and want to go back to those years. What are you most excited about this school year? I'm very excited this year because I keep having so many good opportunities. I am especially excited that I turned 18, which is very important. I'm just excited about what's next. Shoutouts! My friends have helped me by realizing what's best for me. They opened my eyes to see that if I don't do good things, bad things will come my way. |
Anette Vera RivadeneyraIntended Major: Business Administration with an emphasis in Human Resources What Colleges/Universities have you applied to or have been accepted to? I have been accepted into Mount Mary University, Marquette University, Milwaukee Area Technical College, Carroll University, Cardinal Stritch University, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Wisconsin Lutheran College. I have received scholarships from Mount Mary University, Carroll University, Cardinal Stritch University, and Wisconsin Lutheran College. I am continuing to apply for other scholarships too! Why Business Administration with an emphasis in Human Resources? I chose this major because I seek to support employee rights in the workforce, help them in whatever issues they face and make work a great experience. Favorite Memory at Aug Prep? My favorite memory at Aug Prep was participating in Ruby's Pantry. It was really fun, especially because we all got together to distribute food for our community. Faith Journey The daily practice of S.O.A.P (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer) and reflecting in the mornings truly helps you start your day with this positive mindset. This has helped me develop an even stronger relationship with God. Another significant thing is Chapel. Coming together as a community and hearing the stories of others’ faith journeys truly helps you understand how God loves us and is present in our lives. What pre-college programs, sports, or clubs have you participated in?
Advice for HS Students Once you know what you want to major in, look into participating in pre-college programs that are specific to that major. This way you can get hands-on experience and decide if you like it before going into college. What are you most excited about this school year? Graduating, and creating memories with friends and teachers that will forever stay in my heart. Shoutouts! Mr. Lueck because he has helped all of our senior classes with scholarships and college applications all while he has so much going on in his own life! Also, my friends Angie, Zuleimi, Etni, Yaritza, Celeste, Abieail, Jenny, Juan, Kimberly, & Nataly for always supporting me and making my classes even more interesting and fun to be in. |
My name is Ana Aguilera. I am currently attending UW-Madison and studying Criminal Justice. I plan to graduate with a double major in Legal Studies and Economics while double minoring in Chicano Latino Studies as well as Criminal Justice. It might seem like a lot but I have received a lot of support and resources from the school as well as from my scholarship. I am receiving financial aid from All-In Milwaukee and the Kelben scholarship and as of right now I am able to fully focus on my academics without worrying about the cost.
Living a couple of hours away from home sounds intimidating but it has been a learning experience. Although you will miss a lot of things, especially homemade food, it has helped me focus and be more involved with the school. I will say that I did experience a culture shock moving to Madison but there is a great Latinx and Black cultural support system. The more involved you get the more you realize that there are many people coming from different backgrounds. I have met plenty of friends that come from all over the world, some from Colombia, Spain and South Korea. I am involved in clubs relating to criminal justice since that is my main focus, as well as many Latinx clubs and organizations. In the beginning, I tried out for the basketball team - I, unfortunately, did not make it but gathering up the courage to participate, I was able to meet new people. The most enjoyable class that I am taking right now is my Chicano and Latino Studies class which has really helped me learn more about the history of my people.
My advice for high school students is to get involved in multiple pre-college programs. Once you get to college, this will make it easier to narrow down what major really interests you. Get an early start on the college application process and have a plan ahead of time. Also, be open-minded, try new things, and attend events even if you might not think that they are interesting.
Hi! My name is Patricia Frank, I am the Aquatics Director and I have been at Aug Prep since the school opened. As part of my role, I teach and lead the daytime school lessons and in addition, I coach High School Girls Softball, coach High School Boys swim team, and run the after-school swim lesson program.
My job is very physical and I am always in the pool teaching swim or coaching. When I am not doing that, I enjoy swimming laps, biking, running, lifting weights, playing basketball with my 15-year-old son, and making my own fun circuit sets to work out. My son and I also do a lot of outdoor activities such as camping, kayaking, and overnight canoe camp trips.
On my day off, and random nights off, I enjoy just hanging out at home with my son, or cheering him on at a basketball or baseball game. We also love to travel and see and experience all the different cultures and ways of life elsewhere. We relax by playing cards and board games. Being able to decompress and just live life a little really helps me both mentally and emotionally. Coaching also in a very weird way helps with all the above too. I get to really train and teach our youth how to be good people, show good sportsmanship, and how to act when different situations arise, all while staying fit.
The best ways to make a busy life obtainable are different for everyone. You really have to just learn your body, family and mind. I really do enjoy what I do, and I think that is what makes balancing the hardest. Find your passion and your why in your job and your life and a lot of times everything else just manages to work itself out. My why is very much staying healthy and happy to live a long life for my son Noah.
By Mr. Kolb
At the center of the Jewish faith, and I would contend our Christian faith, is the declaration called ‘the Shema.’ Shema is taken from Deuteronomy 6:4-5 which says, “Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.”
These verses challenge me in multiple ways; not only the complete devotion that I am called to love God, but in the word ‘Hear.’ The Hebrew word for hear is ‘Shema,’ meaning: Listen, Hear, Pay Attention. In our culture these days there is so much noise that seems to pine for our attention, followed by an urgent response; and these noises often make it difficult to hear what God is speaking to us. In order to listen, one must intentionally quiet themselves and turn their attention to the one speaking. Psalm 46:10 gets to this idea of being intentional. It says, “Be still and know that I am God.” The New American Standard translation says, “Cease striving and know that I am God.” Boy, that’s a challenge, isn’t it?
How many of us are good at being still and stopping? There always seems to be one more thing that we need to accomplish before the day comes to an end. There always seems to be something that requires us to keep striving. Yet the call remains: Be still and know! I wonder if we would be better listeners to the voice of God if we were able to ‘be still.’ I wonder what our lives would look like if we would just stop and listen. Listen to the still small voice of God that is in the beauty around us. The beauty that is found in a loving embrace with a spouse, child or a beloved friend. The beauty that is found in an inspirational song or in a beautiful winter night. Maybe it’s in the beauty that is found in a deep breath or in a meditation. God is speaking constantly. The challenge is: are we listening?
As we embark on this new year, let’s be people who Listen! Let’s be people who intentionally slow down, breathe deep, and listen for God’s voice. Let’s be people who love God with all that we have. No matter what you may be going through, what storms you may be facing as we enter this new year, I believe that we can take comfort in Psalm 46:
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)
Therefore
“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
Do you want to cut down on your grocery expenses? Join us for Ruby's Pantry on Wednesday, January 19 from 5 to 7 pm.
For a donation of $22, you receive over $200 worth of perishable and non-perishable foods and household items! No income requirements are required. Open to anyone. This is a drive-thru event so please bring boxes! See the flyer for more details.