Thirty-five Wauwatosa high school students will be recognized during the 5th annual Industry Signing Day on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, 3:30-4:30 p.m. at the Wauwatosa East High School woodshop, 7500 Milwaukee Ave.
“The Industry Advisory program has been so helpful with how it’s introduced me to so many opportunities,” Wauwatosa East junior Alex Kotas said. “I’m looking forward to starting my career in carpentry with my Youth Apprenticeship at JP Cullen.”
Industry Signing Day is a celebrated event where students formally commit to entering various industries after graduation, much like athletes do with colleges. This event highlights students who have chosen to pursue careers in skilled trades, technical fields, or other industry sectors and celebrates their decision to enter the workforce and contributes to changing perceptions about the value of vocational and technical education.
“This event is about celebrating students who are taking the first step in their careers,” Technology Education teacher Craig Griffie said.. "The coursework and programming we offer have led the students to be qualified to start a Registered Apprenticeship in any of the skilled building trades."
The Industry Advisory program includes students from both Wauwatosa East High School and Wauwatosa West High School. It is recognized as a Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Certified Pre-Apprenticeship program. It has an attendance-based participation policy that students in the Construction Capstone program can voluntarily participate in.
The event, supported by Building Advantage and ABC WI, will celebrate the following students who have completed Wauwatosa School District’s Industry Advisory:
Michael Anderson, Wauwatosa East High School senior - Common Links Construction
Beau Baewer, Wauwatosa East High School senior
Deanna Bellini, Wauwatosa East High School junior - AGI Fabricators
Chloe Burzynski, Wauwatosa East High School senior
Miguel Carrillo-Leyva, Wauwatosa West High School junior - Total Mechanical
Bennett Collum, Wauwatosa East High School junior - Mortenson Construction
Myana Cooper, Wauwatosa West High School senior - Mortenson Construction
Tarion Cunningham, Wauwatosa West High School senior - Mortenson Construction
Jack Donohoo, Wauwatosa East High School junior - Mortenson Construction
Donovan Ehlen, Wauwatosa East High School senior - STAFF Electric
Isabelle Erickson, Wauwatosa East High School senior
Christopher Fischer, Wauwatosa East High School junior
Cody Hyland, Wauwatosa East High School senior
Ian Jamieson, Wauwatosa East High School senior - CG Schmidt
Aaron Johnson, Wauwatosa East High School senior - Levy Company
Hunter Kaltenbach, Wauwatosa East High School senior - Levy Company
Alexander Kotas, Wauwatosa East High School junior - JP Cullen
Matthew Krause, Wauwatosa East High School senior - Total Mechanical
Marek Malinowski, Wauwatosa West High School junior - STAFF Electric
Jory Merkel, Wauwatosa East High School senior - Berghammer
Ryan Radke, Wauwatosa East High School senior - Berghammer
Michael Reis, Wauwatosa West High School senior - Milestone Plumbing
Samuel Rhyne, Wauwatosa East High School junior
Mekhi Robinson, Wauwatosa East High School senior
Lado Saeed, Wauwatosa East High School senior - Bricklayers & Associated Craftworker
Jack Satterfield, Wauwatosa East High School senior - STAFF Electric
Max Schmeling, Wauwatosa East High School senior - Mortenson Construction
Cayleigh Swinton, Wauwatosa East High School senior - NEXT Electric
Hanie Tiru, Wauwatosa East High School junior - CG Schmidt
Hunter Wendelberger, Wauwatosa East High School senior - STAFF Electric
May Wendelberger, Wauwatosa East High School junior - HSI
Sadie Weske, Wauwatosa East High School junior - Bricklayers & Associated Craftworker
Simon Wittig, Wauwatosa East High School senior - Steiner Electric
Christian Wolfe, Wauwatosa West High School senior - STAFF Electric
Will York, Wauwatosa East High School senior - Mortenson Construction
Maxwell Zylstra, Wauwatosa West High School junior - Allcon Construction
Representatives from the following industries/companies will be in attendance:
Mortenson Construction
CG Schmidt
JP Cullen
Berghammer
Common Links Construction
HSI
Levy Company
AGI Fabricators
Total Mechanical
STAFF Electric
Steiner Electric
NEXT Electric
Milestone Plumbing
KMI
AllCon
North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters
Plumbing Mechanical Sheet Metal Contractors Association
Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers District Council of Wisconsin
Milwaukee NARI
Milwaukee Tool
ABC WI
Building Advantage
Participating in registered apprenticeships allows graduates and current high school students to earn money while gaining valuable skills in their chosen industries. The duration of an apprenticeship varies by trade, involving both coursework and hands-on training.
Additional special guests in attendance will include:
David Polk, WI DWD Director of Apprenticeship
Rep. Robyn Vining
Sen. Rob Hutton
Mayor Dennis McBride