LA CROSSE, Wis., May 23, 2022 - Thirty-five Western Technical College construction and industrial trade apprentices recently received a $1,500 scholarship from Ascendium Education Group, a non-profit organization that helps students across the country repay federal student loans.

Alec Meurer, Coon Valley

Alexander Stoikes, Norwalk

Augie Schini, La Crosse

Austin Anderson, Sparta

Austin Berberich, Viroqua

Benjamin Froiseth, Viroqua

Brandon Peterson, Grantsberg

Brett Larsen, Tomah

Bryce Franks, La Farge

Cameron Hanson, Galesville

Casey Meron, Sparta

Casey Storlie, Hokah

Cliff Strand, La Crosse

Derek Haines, Trempealeau

Derrek McAnallen, Whitehall

Devin Schiltz, Caledonia

Dustin Wilhelm, La Crosse

Garrett Bishop, Ettrick

Hunter North, Holmen

Jacob Green, Norwalk

Jaden Anderson, Melrose

Jeremy Russell, Viola

John Kramer, Black River Falls

Joshua Miller, La Crescent

Kaleb Olson, La Farge

Mitchel Neubauer, Onalaska

Mitchel Welsh, Caledonia

Reid Johnson, Trempealeau

Riley Kirkey, Trempealeau

Tanner Zschernitz, Neillsville

Tucker Colsch, New Albin

Tyler Reichel, New Lisbon

Vincent Steiner, Baraboo

William Coppernoll, La Crosse

Wyatt Juneau, Sparta

The scholarship money comes from the Tools of the Trade Apprentice Scholarship program, which helps apprentices purchase tools, clothing, and equipment vital to their trades.

This year, Ascendium awarded a total of $766,500 in Tools of the Trade scholarships to 511 construction and industrial trade apprentices in the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS). Since the program's inception, 94 percent of recipients across the WTCS have either completed or continued their apprenticeships the following semester.

To learn more information on Western's apprenticeship programs, visit www.westerntc.edu/apprenticeship.