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The news of his appointment came unexpectedly: Aaron was traveling with the De Pere High School Mock Trial team to state competition in Madison and had stopped at Culver's for lunch when his phone rang. It was U.S Rep. Tony Wied calling. Aaron was nominated by Wied and U.S. Senator Ron Johnson.

"When I was in elementary school and first saw the 128th Air Refueling Wing of the National Guard at Milwaukee’s Mitchell International Airport, I immediately knew I wanted to be involved in operations like that," says Aaron.  "I set a goal of going to the Air Force Academy five years ago when we drove past the academy on a family road trip, and I have worked on becoming qualified since then."

Attending a service academy comes with the obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation. Members of Congress may nominate candidates for appointment to four of the five U.S. service academies: U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point, NY; the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis, MD; the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, CO; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Kings Point, NY. The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), New London, CT, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment.

"I am looking forward to a lot of things but the biggest is the opportunity to grow as a leader and serve the mission of the Air Force: 'To fly, fight, and win... airpower anytime, anywhere'," Aaron notes. "My goal is to become a pilot and be ready to help protect America's interests."

Aaron credits De Pere High School teachers Mrs. Mirkes, Mr. McGill, Mrs. Van Remortel, Mrs. Hawley and Mr. Jorgenson, as well as guidance counselor Marcy Becker for helping him navigate the coursework and activities that would lead to a successful application. He is also grateful to city of De Pere Recreation Supervisor Chelsea Moberg, the two members of Congress who nominated him, and many others who helped him prepare for interviews and edited his essays.

"Together, they all let me grow into the person I am today. I also want to thank my parents as they have helped me with interview prep, essays and raised me to be who I am."

Aaron is slated to report for Basic Cadet Training on June 25, but plans to arrive a few days early to acclimate to the altitude in Colorado Springs.

 

Along with create-your-own smoothies and fresh baked goods, Riebe wants to see Kwik Treats for dogs added to the self-serve options. Customers who are traveling or just running errands could return to the car with a snack for themselves as well as their pooches riding shotgun. 

Riebe’s Kwik Treats idea was one of three winning submissions to the fall 2024 Wisconsin Business World Innovation Competition, a statewide contest for students in grades 6-12. Students are challenged to design a new product proposal or service for Kwik Trip stores. Riebe created a two-minute video that outlined the appeal of Kwik Treats and explained how they could be marketed and sold. 

 

“I like dogs and I know a lot of other people do,” said Riebe, a DPHS freshman. “Some people go on road trips with their dogs and not everywhere has a place to get treats other than a (traditional) store. It’s quick, easy and on-the-go.”

He knows from personal experience just how much dogs like a tasty reward. Riebe’s dad has three pit bulls named Zilla, Maize and Mack. 

“They usually get in the tub by themselves if you give them a treat,” he said. “It’s the only way we can get them to take a bath.”

The concept of Kwik Treats began as a project for Riebe’s first-semester Intro to Business class. He envisions the treats being dispensed from a self-serve machine into a cup or paper bag. Customers would use a touch screen to choose from a variety of flavors and three sizes priced at 99 cents (small), $1.50 (medium) and $2.25 (large). 

For advertising, Caleb envisions a paw print-shaped sign posted on the exterior of Kwik Trip that’s easily seen by people stopping for gas or another purchase. 

Business teacher Todd Anderson encouraged Riebe to enter his idea into the contest, which is held twice a year. 

“It’s exciting that (Riebe) took the initiative to enter and have his idea recognized,” Anderson said. “The kids can see that what they are thinking about in class can be implemented in a real-world setting.”

In addition to the possibility of having his product brought to life by Kwik Twip, Riebe received a $500 award. 

“I was not expecting it, because I figured other people would have good ideas,” he said. “When I told my Mom, she was amazed. It was the best news for her.”

The spring 2025 contest will open soon. 

By Kerry Guyette, Contributing Writer

 

It was the culmination of the annual Dickinson Cares project that benefits groups in need while showing how kids can make a difference in their community. The program begins with two weeks of collecting donations from families, then the finale is a “build day” where each grade level makes something to give to their charity. 

“It’s not only important for the charities, but we talk with the kids about how did it make you feel to do something for someone else,” said kindergarten teacher Chris Moore, who started the project about 10 years ago. “It’s that idea of doing something without getting anything back, and that service learning feels good, too.”

Each charity provides a “wish list” which is shared with Dickinson families for the donation drive portion of the project. For example, the first graders brought in personal hygiene items for the St. John the Evangelist Homeless Shelter in Green Bay. Other grade levels collected donations for the Exceptional Equestrians equine therapy program; Foster the Village which supports foster children; and Heaven’s Touch Ministries for women and children. 

The kindergarteners’ families contributed canned and boxed foods for the De Pere Christian Outreach pantry. Altogether, the four classrooms filled about eight boxes with food. 

“They are so excited to put their items in the donation box and to show their friends and teachers what they have brought,” kindergarten teacher Mari Mlynczak said. “We are very lucky in De Pere. When we ask for something or say we need help with donations, the community never disappoints.”

On the build day, each kindergarten student decorated and wrote positive messages on grocery bags that were given to the pantry along with the food. They received a visit from Amy Murphy, DPCO executive director, who shared that the pantry has seen a 20 percent increase in clients over the past year. 

“It truly takes an entire community to help our food pantry to be able to help our neighbors in need,” Murphy said. “The personalized bags the kids color and decorate make it a very special touch.”

Third-grade families sent in baby diapers and wipes, shoes and clothing for Foster the Village. On build day, the students used fabric markers and sharpies to decorate canvas bags to be used while shopping at the charity’s store. 

All Dickinson students received a sticker to wear that said, “Ask Me How I Made a Difference”. 

“(Students) said things like, ‘I helped a child in foster care by giving clothes and diapers to help make their life easier,’ ” teacher Allison Schlader said.

Other activities on build day included the first graders designing placemats for the St. John homeless shelter. Exceptional Equestrians received no-bake horse treats and stimulation toys from the second graders. And the fourth grade students made tie blankets for Heaven’s Touch. 

To help with that project, Moore used monetary donations to purchase fleece from a local fabric store where she attracted some curious inquiries. 

“When you have (so many) bolts of fabric in your cart, folks will ask what you are making,” she said. “To be able to explain to others out in public about the project has been really neat. I’ve always gotten a very positive (reaction).”

Dickinson Cares ties in with the school’s social studies curriculum as each grade level reads a book about the concepts of caring and serving populations in need. Students also watch a video that introduces their grade’s charitable organization and how it will benefit.

“It’s so valuable for elementary students to see that their hard work and giving attitude pays off,” Schlader said. “This year (third graders) partnered up with our ‘Bird Buddies’ who are first graders, and shared with them what we did and what they did. Then we had an all-school assembly and got to see what the other grades made.”

By Kerry Guyette, Contributing Writer
 

The regional event included 24 other area schools, with students competing in business and marketing related events. In all, 62 De Pere chapter members attended. Click to view a full list of De Pere students recognized in the competition.