Westfield’s Emma Hamilton wins Herb Kohl Excellence Award

There was a great deal of excitement around Westfield Area High School/Middle School when the winners of the 2023 Herb Kohl Awards were announced. On the day the winners were announced, it was learned that Emma Hamilton has been named as an Herb Kohl Excellence Scholar. The Herb Kohl Award is given to students or educators who achieve at the highest academic levels, demonstrate exceptional character, are active in their community, actively engage in co-curricular activities, provide exceptional leadership, and have proven to be individuals of the highest caliber. Herb Kohl is a former United States Senator, businessman, and previous owner of the Milwaukee Bucks. Established in 1990, the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation has given out $9.3 million dollars to the top students and educators in the state. Emma has maintained high honors throughout high school and has earned a spot in the “Top Ten” club for the senior class. Emma has somehow managed to earn exceptional grades while taking the most challenging AP and advanced courses offered, and is a member of the “30+ Club” for ACT scores. Emma’s success is not limited to the classroom, however. She is actively involved in Forensics, Band & Choir, Student Council, Science Club, volleyball manager, track, competitive dance, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, Spanish Club Chess Club, Going Green Team, Forensics, FFA, 4-H, and the SCC Math Team. Emma’s involvement in organizations outside of the school includes Youth Director for the Meat Auction at the fair, Marquette County Fair Junior Barn Superintendent, and membership in the Wisconsin Junior Poultry Association, National Pigeon Association, Tri-State Pigeon Association, Rare Breeds Pigeon Club, East Central Wisconsin Beekeepers Association, and the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association Junior Member. Her record of volunteerism is exceptional, having volunteered thousands of hours to community and charitable causes. Emma joins previous Herb Kohl Winners at Westfield Area High School: Fred Posthuma (Teacher Excellence, 1990); Julie West (Teacher Excellence, 2013); David Moody (Principal Excellence, 2016); Lily Wagner (Student Excellence, 2019); Camden Stampfl (Student Initiative Award, 2020); Stacey Oliphant (Teacher Excellence, 2020); Kristi Romberg (Teacher Excellence, 2020); and Trista Drew (Student Excellence, 2022). In recognition of her exceptional character, and academic, co-curricular, community service records, Emma will receive a $10,000 scholarship from the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation to be used to defray the cost of the college education she will be getting at Kansas State University.