Scholarship Recipients

KARLEY ANDERSON 

After graduation from my undergraduate at Parkside with a bachelor's in psychology and minor in Communication, I have accepted and am attending the schools wonderful CMHC program offered by Parkside as well. On my journey to becoming a Professional Counselor, I anticipate not only to become a well-educated advocate for mental health but placing my knowledge within a hospital, private practice, career counseling center, or even a school, the opportunities are endless. My passion to be a leader, helper, and scientist has been acquired throughout my undergraduate career and has placed me where I am today. 

My undergraduate career at Parkside gained me a lot of growth and connections throughout campus. I began helping in school through extracurriculars such as volunteer experiences for Parkside Day and events outside in the community. I have gained leadership through my roles in Psychology club as Vice President and Student Government Speaker of House. Realizations of wanting to proceed in psychology with a counseling degree stemmed from excelling in my psych classes and enjoying the Lab I worked on in Dr. Gregg’s EEG experiments. But best of all it was the people I connected with and have helped along my journey for me to see who I truly wanted to be. My favorite part of my undergrade journey was how much I got involved with other organizations and Greek Organizations through Student Government to throw big parties like the Carnival in Spring 2023 and also meeting with culturally diverse organizations and mental health orgs to help spread the word of events and meetings that were happening. We strived on creating a unity of students throughout the Organizations in the school. I will cherish these memories and lessons as I go forward in my next journey. 

ASHLEY CHAPETA

Hi, I’m Ashley Chapeta and I am pursuing an Applied Health Science degree with a concentration in Medical Lab Science. This will be my final year at Parkside. My future plans consist of beginning my clinical rotations in December at Froedtert South and completing my
bachelors degree in May. After graduation, I plan on becoming a generalist in the hospital setting and advancing my career by specializing in a particular lab department. My education has been incredibly important to me and has been the stepping stone to my success. My family is heavily involved in the healthcare industry and my education has allowed me to carry on the
privilege of helping others.
My early time at Parkside was during the COVID pandemic, and social distancing, online courses, my full-time education schedule coupled with my part-time job, and several family responsibilities caused enough schedule conflict to prevent my participation on campus as
much as I would have liked. However, I have enjoyed my time here at Parkside thoroughly and have fond memories. I have attended Cru events, participated in movie nights, and in the arts
and crafts events that Parkside holds. My favorite memory would have to be spending time with my friends in the library. Whether we were studying or just needed a break from the stress of the day and needed a laugh, it was always a precious time that was never wasted.
I am so thankful to have been chosen for this scholarship and will always appreciate and thank Parkside for what you have done for me

ANDREW CONRAD

My future plans are to graduate in three years with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sport Management and apply for a job in the realm of Golf Course Management as soon as I can following my graduation. I am still undecided, since I am in my second year of college, how I will use my fourth year of athletic eligibility. Currently, I would like to find a way where I can compete and further my career. 

My education has allowed me to excel at a higher level academically and experience new avenues that I wouldn’t have experienced anywhere else. Parkside has enabled me to compete athletically at a high level while also receiving a degree in a field that is very interesting and appealing to me. Not only has this motivated me to become the best version of myself, but I stand in confidence knowing that I chose my college path and made it my own. That is a privilege to be able to do, and I don’t take it for granted. 

The main extracurricular activity that I participate in at Parkside is competing at the Division II level in Men’s Golf. However, outside of athletics, I have been a part of the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and CRU since I arrived at Parkside, and being able to meet other Christ followers at UW-Parkside has brought joy to my life. 

My current favorite memory at Parkside was fighting for a Conference Title in Augusta, MI my freshman year. Being able to compete alongside the seniors on the team and my freshman roommate was an experience that I will never forget. However, I am hoping that there will be more memories to come that will bring even more joy to my college experience. 

BRANDON GRAY

My name is Brandon Gray, and I am a senior in the Sustainable Management program at UW. I’m a transfer student with an Associate’s degree in graphic design, with close to 15 years of experience in the design and printing industry. I have a specific interest in waste reduction and the circular economy, and with my background knowledge in manufacturing the SMGT major was an obvious choice.   

Choosing Parkside for my education was directly inspired by the work my grandmother, Stella Gray, was able to accomplish during her tenure. She was formerly an English professor here at UWP and always stressed the benefits of education. Stella was always a kind and caring personality and was inspiring to the many students who attended her classes.  When she passed, she left large shoes to fill and this process has been my way of honoring her memory.  

While attending Parkside I have continued to find different volunteer projects, with a specific interest in Kenosha history and preservation. My favorite memories here will always be the conversations with those who encouraged me to chase my vision and passions– Dr. Brian Lewis and Professor Rita Kozak, among others. Without their encouragement my outlook would certainly be much different. It is because of this that I’m extremely thankful to the SMGT staff as well as the entire CNHS board. Thank you for believing in me. 

My future plans include additional volunteer work, and continued civil service in the city of Kenosha. My heart and passion are in the development and continued renewal of the Uptown area, and I hope to partner in some capacity with the efforts currently underway. There is much work to be done and I want to be a part of making our neighborhoods safe and with equal opportunity for everyone.  

BETHANY GREATHOUSE

My dream is to work in sports, and it has been since I was a sophomore in high school. Now that I am a senior here at UW-Parkside I have realized this is definitely where I belong. For me this is where I found my why. I have always wanted to be able to work in something where I have a chance to be a part of something that is bigger than myself. Sport has provided me with just that! Through my education I have been able to fully enrich myself with the ideas and emotions that also come with sport. The best education I have ever been able to have has been my hands on learning. This has been able to be possibly through working with Parkside as well as traveling to London to work the Royal Windsor Triathlon! Currently my future plans after I graduate are to stay around the area and get a job in Milwaukee or Chicago and Parkside has given me a get location to be able to go out there and get this work accomplished! Throughout being able to be at Parkside I have really come to love the community that I have been able to become a part of! 

REBEKAH GREGOREK

Hello, my name is Rebekah Gregorek and I'm a Psychology major here at UW-Parkside, along with a minor in Economics. I plan to pursue a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology to have a career as a therapist. My education has helped me discover a subject I fell in love with as well as helping me determine a career that I'm passionate about. I've always enjoyed helping people become better versions of themselves one step at a time, and be someone they can turn to in times of hardship, and my education at Parkside is an essential step to achieving this desired career path.  

Throughout my time at Parkside, I've participated in a couple of CBL/volunteer projects involving food pantries as well as been an active member of the Psychology club and Active Minds. I plan to become more involved in the activities within the clubs I'm currently in through my junior and senior years which I'm eager to do. My favorite memories that I've made during my time at Parkside have been with my close friends that I've made here, whether it's collaborating in class or studying together outside of class. They make me excited to come to school every day, and I'm so grateful that I've met such amazing and unique people here. 

CLARE HALLADAY

My name is Clare Halladay and I am a sophomore at UW-Parkside majoring in Biological Sciences. I have always been drawn to the sciences and knew that I wanted to pursue a career somewhere in the field. From a young age, I had always wanted to be a veterinarian, and that has remained my goal as I entered Parkside for my secondary education. After graduation, I have the goal of pursuing veterinary school, and ideally completing an internship and residency to become a board-certified veterinary surgeon. Currently, I work at a veterinary urgent care in addition to my studies and fall more in love with the field every day.  

Education has always been a passion of mine. I think it is so important to always continue learning, and that is why Parkside has been such a great fit for me. The environment is always incredibly positive, and the education is second to none. This year I have joined both the new pre-veterinary club, as well as our section of Habitat for Humanity. Being involved in both of these groups has been very rewarding, educational, and fun, and has enriched my experience at Parkside immensely.  

One of my favorite memories from Parkside has been being a part of Albert Harris’ biology lab. He has such a passion for educating, as well as for the study of biology as a whole. Every class was very interactive, and he always went the extra mile to ensure his students thoroughly understood the material. He has remained a driving motivation to me throughout my courses ever since.  

I am very appreciative of this opportunity and am very excited to continue my education and involvement in such an important field. 

NATALIE MEYER

My name is Natalie Meyer, and I am a Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics major with a minor in Psychology. I plan to keep my options open post-graduation. I have considered graduate school, but I am looking forward to entering the workforce and seeing what STEM career paths are available.
My education at Parkside has been a truly life changing experience for me. I have made some of the most valuable connections with other students who have now become my best friends, and my education has taught me just how resilient of a person I am. Succeeding in challenging biology, math, and chemistry courses has made me significantly more confident in my academic
and professional abilities.
During my time at Parkside, I have participated in ecological undergraduate research in conjunction with the Pollinator Patch Program, where we record bumblebee activity on the campus cross-country course. I am in my second year of this project, and have been honored to display our research findings at multiple events including the 2023 National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), hosted in Eau Claire. This event was by far my favorite moment from my time at Parkside. Earning the opportunity to share my work alongside thousands of students from across the nation was incredible, and to be able to experience that with my UWP colleagues was something I will never forget!

JOSE MONROY

Growing up, my mother cemented the importance of education in my life. Being a student-athlete has made it more clear to me that my success is only as good as I want it to be. With great pride, I acknowledge that my education will set me up for success due to the efforts my family has made and my day-to-day persistence to learn. I am currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in kinesiology, and my hopeful future plans are to eventually move out of the state to Colorado to either work as a strength and conditioning coach at a university or as a physical therapist in the city of Denver. 

In addition to my academic experiences, I am currently a member of cross-country and track and field. This has become a big part of my life here in Kenosha. I've had the opportunity to travel to different states for competitive meets. My favorite memory from Parkside so far has been traveling to Colorado and having the privilege to race at the collegiate level for my first collegiate race ever. I've met a lot of great new coaches, teammates, and athletes who continue to make an impact in my life. 

Thank you again for providing me with the opportunity to continue my academic and athletic journey here at Parkside. It is an honor, and I am grateful.  

MARKIE PEROUTKA

My name is Markie Peroutka.  I’m a senior pursuing a degree in Psychology with a concentration in Neuroscience. After graduation, I’ll be attending graduate school to earn a Master’s Degree in Pathology Assistance.    

In the fall of 2020, I entered my college experience without student activities or any of the Welcome to UW Parkside fanfare, a few students physically on campus, and online classes. I took this as an opportunity and began working in the PARC where I learned about the University by answering student questions as we were one of the few places in person during that time. As a member of the Student Advisory Board for the Gender and Sexualities Advocacy Center (GSAC) I was a student representative on the Search and Screen Committee (twice) for the current GSAC coordinator. In 2021, I was chosen as a Peer Health Educator and solely ran the program for 2 years. My internship at the Kenosha County Medical Examiner’s office and shadowing Pathologists in the Milwaukee area has been so helpful in confirming my career path. I was invited to guest lecture in a few Freshman Seminar classes on topics surrounding mental/physical health. Since 2020, I've been involved with a research study at the Animal Care Facility and co-presented at the WiSys Spark Symposium in Oshkosh. I also work at the Parkside Police Department as a Community Service Officer. Every opportunity afforded to me through professors, staff or my advisor, Dr. Lewis, has prepared me for Graduate school and life’s next steps. The support and willingness to help me achieve my life goals and career will forever be my fondest memory of UW Parkside. I feel prepared for the future and look forward to what is in store.  I humbly thank the College of Natural and Health Sciences for this scholarship. 

ANGIE RAYNIAK

My name is Angie Rayniak, and I am currently a Junior, studying Geoscience here at Parkside. For me, coming back to college to pursue a bachelor’s degree as an adult student was initially a bit intimidating, however, the time allowed me to realize what I wanted to do in life and what I didn’t. That realization solidified the path that I wanted to take towards pursuing my education and getting my degree in Geoscience. 

My intention for the future is to either move on to graduate school at UW Milwaukee, or work in the field as a professional geologist or hydrologist. In addition, I have always had a side-interest in documentary filmmaking and would love to use the knowledge acquired from my education here, to create films that help demystify environmental issues, and make complex topics easier to understand for a broad audience. 

While here at Parkside, I have had the opportunity to participate in many hands-on labs in the Geoscience department; from surveying the turbidity of the campus ponds, to wetland delineation, to calculating longshore drift along Lake Michigan. Also, this year, I have had the privilege of working as a Research Assistant for Dr. Li, in studying different carbonate minerals’ absorbency of anionic and cationic colored dyes from water. Seeing the results firsthand from the various experiments has truly been invaluable in my learning. 

In closing, my favorite thing about Parkside is the people. There are so many knowledgeable Professors that truly want you to succeed and want the best for you. The same goes for the students. It’s easy to say that the people here at Parkside really set the stage for success in many ways.  

ALEXANDER TORRES

I'm Alexander Torres, a senior at Parkside pursuing a Bio/Pre-med path. With a decade of experience in the healthcare field, I aim to deepen my impact on patients' lives by furthering my education in medicine. My goal is to attend medical school, acquire essential skills, and use them toward community betterment. Specifically, I would like to address healthcare disparities in underrepresented areas, ensuring that individuals there don't encounter the challenges I faced. For me, education is a powerful tool that enables me to understand my future profession and help the people around me. My meaningful experiences at Parkside would have to be the RUSCH program. This program not only exposed me to real-world work but also widened my perspective on our community, for which I'm immensely grateful. My favorite memory at Parkside will always be the days following finals and the long nights at the commons with all my friends, testing each other and supporting each other throughout our wonderful journey at Parkside.  

DESTINY WOHLERS-NEWELL

I am currently a Junior at Parkside majoring in Chemistry with a Professional Chemistry focus. My future plans include obtaining my master’s degree and pursuing a PhD. My education has always been my number one priority and continuing my life in academia is my dream. When I came here my freshman year, I was undecided on my major. Within my first semester, I declared chemistry as my future. With inspiration from my amazing professors, I now wish to become a professor myself. Being in an environment where I will be able to teach others about my passion while I continue to learn is the future I am striving for. Without Parkside, I would never have realized this dream. 

Parkside is not only helping me establish my future academically, but socially as well. I have made great friends here and we have created a lot of memories that I hold fondly. For instance, my favorite memory I have here was in organic chemistry lab. While my friend and I were waiting for a reaction to reach completion, we played “chemistry hangman” and taught our professor how to play as well.  

Thank you Parkside and the CNHS for giving me this honor. I can’t wait to see what my future holds here!