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“Kathy has served the district for more than 22 years and brings tremendous value and experience to our district. This achievement is an important milestone for her and we are incredibly proud of her work and dedication to continuing education,” says Andy Bradford, interim Superintendent.

Van Pay has served in her current position in De Pere since August 2023. She oversees more than $1 million in grants and curriculum budgets; leads the district’s literacy and math teams; and works with cross-functional groups to develop and implement 4K–12 comprehensive literacy and math plans. In addition, Van Pay manages the district’s 4K and before/after school programming.

Previously, Van Pay was principal at De Pere’s Heritage Elementary School from 2008-2023; principal at King Elementary School in Green Bay from 2005-2008; and has classroom teaching experience in the Shawano and Houston, TX, school districts.

She holds an honorary associate fellowship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for her research on Leadership for Learning and was a Herb Kohl Principal Leadership Award recipient in 2023.

During her tenure in De Pere, elementary and intermediate student achievement has consistently improved as measured by state and national test scores. For the past several years De Pere has been among the top ten 4K-12 school districts in Wisconsin for academic achievement. 
 

School districts must apply to the Wisconsin Dept. of Public Instruction to offer the program. The 2025-2026 school year was the first time De Pere High School made the honor available to students.

“We are thrilled to provide this prestigious recognition program in our District,” said Director of Secondary Curriculum and Instruction Nick Joseph. “We look forward to continuing to recognize and celebrate the diverse languages of our students in our District community, and to provide students with an additional credential as they move on to life after high school.”

Earning the Seal helps students stand out after graduation with diverse cultural and linguistic abilities. Recipients use these skills in their educational and career plans, paving the way for more opportunities in the future. 

The Seal is awarded to graduating seniors, but students may begin working toward completion at any time during their enrollment at De Pere High School.
 

Best wishes to:

The Nerds

• Tyler S.(Heritage)
• Roger L., Will F., Lauren P., Ananya R. and Eliza Z. (Foxview)  
• Many Ziolkowski and Nicole Polarek (team managers)

 

The De Pere Legends

• Isaac B., Julian M., Evan K., Kai C., Sully A., Edison L. (Foxview)
• Erin Kotenberg and Sawa Senzaki (team managers)

 

More than 100 musicians from band, choir and orchestra performed in 80 events at the WSMA's State Solo/Ensemble Festival at UWGB. De Pere students received 70 1st place ratings and ten 2nd place ratings. Congratulations to our talented performers.

In addition, the following students received Exemplary Nominations and Awards:

• Samantha Bennett - Soprano Solo
• Jack Collard - Musical Theater Solo
• Livi Drewieske - *Musical Theater Solo, Soprano Solo,
• *Owen Elliott and Ruby Mansbridge - Musical Theater Duet
• Ethan Flemmer, Marcus Reyes, Owen Elliott, Aiden Elliott - TTBB Quartet
• *Sarah Hansen and Ethan Flemmer - Classical Duet
• *Emma Hermsen - Flute Solo
• Aniyah Littleton - Musical Theater Solo
• Madelyn Mills, Xavier Thornton, Finn Bakke, Marcus Reyes, Isaac VanRemotel, Claire Friend, Olivia Kubiak, Maya Krebsbach, Mallory Johnsen, Lauren Powell - Contemporary A Capella
• *Marcus Reyes - Tenor Solo
• *Jacob Yakel - Musical Theater Solo

The (*) indicates the student won the award for at their competition site.

Each year over 32,000 students (11,000+ events) qualify at district festivals to perform at State Solo & Ensemble festival making this event one of the largest of its kind in the nation. These students represent the student talent and high quality of music programs in Wisconsin’s schools.

State Leadership Conference Winners 

• 1st Place - Conor Enright in Business Management
• 2nd Place - Sawyer Brick, James Lyerly and Mason Seehafer in Banking & Financial Systems
• 2nd Place - Connor Mason and Oliver Qualls in Digital Video Production
• 3rd Place - Kyle Gruetzmacher in Advanced Accounting
• 4th Place - Ansh Patel in Securities & Investments
• 5th Place - Ian Brick in Agribusiness
• 5th Place - Claire Petersen in International Business
• 5th Place - Alayna Broullire and Payton Spaeth in Supply Chain Management

In all, 37 FBLA members competed at the 2026 State Leadership Conference in Green Bay. Categories included a variety of business and marketing related disciplines. In addition to competitive events, students learned from business professionals, toured local businesses, attended workshops and networked with students from across the state of Wisconsin.