Velma B. Hamilton Student Claims 2026 All-City Spelling Bee Title

MADISON, Wis.—Casey Barnhill, an eighth-grade student at the Madison Metropolitan School District’s Velma B. Hamilton Middle School, earned top honors at Saturday’s Madison All-City Spelling Bee, securing a first-place finish and advancing to the upcoming state competition.

Barnhill was among 41 students in grades three through eight who qualified for the annual event after winning spelling bees at their respective schools. Participants represented public and private schools across Madison. The competition, hosted at Madison College, spanned multiple rounds and tested students’ spelling knowledge and vocabulary skills.

Barnhill clinched the championship by correctly spelling the final word—”Ecuador”—in the concluding round. Joanne Aldoori of Madinah Academy placed second, and Ignatius Fassino of St. Ambrose Academy finished third. All three students will move on to represent the region at the Badger State Spelling Bee on March 21 at Madison College’s Mitby Theater.

This year marked Barnhill’s third appearance at the citywide competition and his second consecutive top-two finish, having placed second in 2025.

“Casey’s dedication and perseverance truly stand out,” said Dr. Carlettra Stanford, assistant superintendent of schools and learning. “Competing at this level requires discipline, resilience and a genuine love of learning. We are incredibly proud of how he represented Hamilton and all of MMSD.”

The Madison All-City Spelling Bee has been organized by the Wisconsin State Journal since 1949 and continues to celebrate academic excellence among students throughout the community.

In total, MMSD was represented by 28 competitors:

Milan Ayachit (Grade 6) Georgia O’Keeffe Middle	Sofia Munoz Kiley (Grade 4) Lincoln Elementary	Logan Scherck (Grade 4) Dr. V. Henderson Elementary
Kuzma Babkin (Grade 5) Van Hise Elementary	Xinyan (Beney) Lin (Grade 5) Paul J. Olson Elementary	Inez Schultz-Brinkman (Gr. 4) Nuestro Mundo Elementary
Casey Barnhill (Grade 8) Velma B. Hamilton Middle	Fernando Lopez (Grade 8) Black Hawk Middle	Noah Singh (Grade 5) Glenn Stephens Elementary
Theo Eggerling-Boeck (Gr. 8) Cherokee Heights Middle	Mary Lubner (Grade 5) Shorewood Hills Elementary	Rhys Stolte (Grade 5) John F. Kennedy Elementary
James Bull (Grade 4) C.A. Elvehjem Elementary	Wren McCluskey (Grade 4) Orchard Ridge Elementary	Rashi Tiwari (Grade 6) Spring Harbor Middle
Cece Erling (Grade 7) James C. Wright Middle	Jordan Mitchell (Grade 8) Ray F. Sennett Middle	Aurora Wicihowski (Grade 8) Akira R. Toki Middle
James Hahn (Grade 5) Thoreau Elementary	Christian Moore (Grade 4) Crestwood Elementary	Will Wohlgamuth (Grade 7) Badger Rock Middle
Jack Houseman (Grade 8) A.G. Whitehorse Middle	Ruby Noguchi (Grade 5) Emerson Elementary	Esmae Xiong (Grade 5) Lake View Elementary
Julia Kidarsa (Grade 6) Ezekiel Gillespie Middle	Yasmin Sachs (Grade 5) Aldo Leopold Elementary	Cleo Zapala-Voss (Grade 5) Marquette Elementary
	Myra Sanghavi (Grade 3) Ray W. Huegel Elementary

###

About the Madison Metropolitan School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.

40 Years and Counting at Lake Ridge Bank: Three Local Bankers Celebrate Milestone Anniversary

February 20, 2026 (MADISON, Wis.) – According to the most recent data gathered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median tenure of an employee in the USA is 3.9 years. So, Lake Ridge Bank was delighted to celebrate the 40th anniversary—10 times the national standard—of three associates in January: Steve Eager, Katherine Esser, and Betty Nonn.

“It’s an honor to work with all three of these amazing people because of their commitment and dedication to community banking as a vocation,” says Lake Ridge Bank CEO Jim Tubbs. “They don’t just say it; they believe in it.”

Lake Ridge Bank Market President Steve Eager may have been destined for lifelong banking. Eager’s father was a bank president, and generations of his family have been leaders in the industry for more than 100 years. “Growing up watching my family serve the community, I learned what community banking is all about and developed a desire to give back to the community who essentially helped raise me.”

While Eager was “born to bank,” Esser and Nonn developed an interest in banking more gradually—and a bit by accident.

Betty Nonn started working part-time in high school as a teller. Today she is the Senior Vice President-Technology Officer at Lake Ridge Bank. “My advice to anyone starting out is to stay curious and say yes to opportunities that stretch you,” Nonn shares. “Take advantage of training, learn new functions, and never stop building your skills. If you surround yourself with great people and keep challenging yourself, you can build a career you’re proud of—and enjoy the journey along the way!”

Those opportunities to grow and learn and take advantage of new challenges also influenced Esser’s decision to build her long career at Lake Ridge Bank.

“Over the last four decades, the bank has always challenged me with rewarding opportunities to professionally develop within my career,” says Kathy Esser, Vice President and Senior Personal Trust Officer on Lake Ridge Bank’s Wealth Management Team. “Those continued opportunities for growth made it an easy decision to stay loyal to Lake Ridge Bank. It really just came down to the fact that I have loved my job.”

Lake Ridge Bank President Paul Hoffmann says that everyone wins when people with this level of expertise and dedication commit their careers to one place. “Community banking is built on local relationships by people who live here, work here, and invest their time and energy into helping their neighbors succeed,” Hoffmann explains. “When associates grow, develop, and flourish here over decades, everyone benefits. While Steve, Kathy, and Betty may have contributed in different ways, they all had the same vision of building a great bank where our clients can prosper and grow.”

###

Lake Ridge Bank’s mission is to “build prosperous communities, one relationship at a time.” For more than 100 years, this has meant getting to know each of our clients to offer personalized services to meet their specific financial goals. Lake Ridge Bank offers a full line of financial products and services. We focus on offering products and services to make your banking easy. Our business banking and mortgage lenders are trusted leaders in their field with the expertise to provide the right loan at a competitive rate for our clients. As a community bank, we are dedicated to reinvesting in, and making our communities great places to live, work and raise a family. Visit lakeridge.bank to learn more about how we can help you.

Vote for raSmith’s photo for cover of Engineering News-Record (ENR) magazine

raSmith is always thrilled to share the impact that our clients’ projects make, from reshaping infrastructure and improving communities … to potentially highlighting the cover of a national magazine!

raSmith’s project image, shown here, is one of 10 finalists selected from 1,100 entries worldwide for Engineering News-Record (ENR) magazine’s annual Year in Construction photo contest. Industry professionals and others will choose their favorite finalist, which will appear on the cover of ENR’s February 2 issue.

If you’d like to participate, we welcome your support by voting for raSmith’s photo. (One vote per internet-connected device.) The contest ends Thursday, January 22.

Dupaco’s Gift of Innovation awards sessions to fuel nonprofit growth

DUBUQUE, Iowa – Fifteen nonprofits across Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois will amplify their missions through Dupaco’s Gift of Innovation grant program, in partnership with The Innovation Lab. The program is designed to spark creative solutions and lasting impact.

The Gift of Innovation Grant recipients are:

• Catherine McAuley Center, Cedar Rapids, IA
• Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity, Cedar Rapids
• Central Iowa Shelter and Services, Des Moines, IA
• CommUnity Crisis Services, Iowa City, IA
• Dubuque Area Labor Management Council, Dubuque, IA
• DVIP & RVAP (Domestic Violence Intervention Program), Iowa City
• Embolden WI, Madison, WI
• Families Forward, Des Moines
• Galena Art & Recreation Center, Galena, IL
• Moms Connect Dubuque, Dubuque
• New Hope Village, Inc., Carroll, IA
• Opening Doors, Dubuque
• Red Basket Project, Dubuque
• Waypoint Services for Women, Children and Families, Cedar Rapids
• Willkie House, Des Moines

This is the second year of this transformative program that fuels nonprofit growth through innovation support. Rather than a traditional monetary award, the grant provides innovation sessions to help nonprofits overcome resource constraints that may limit their potential. Sessions can help organizations work through challenges such as strategic planning, process development, financial sustainability, business model improvements and more.

This year’s program represents $67,000 in innovation support, delivered through tailored sessions that span one day, two days or 1 year. Sessions are conducted by Eric Dregne, Director of The Innovation Lab.

“It’s been exciting to work with the 2025 recipients of the Gift of Innovation program, to work through challenges that were holding them back,” said Eric Dregne, Innovation Lab director. “We cannot wait to get to work with the 2026 recipients to further impact the nonprofit sector and the people and communities they serve.”

“At Dupaco, we believe innovation is a catalyst for positive change. By equipping nonprofits with tools and strategies to think differently, we’re helping them unlock new ways to serve their communities,” said Joe Hearn, President and CEO of Dupaco Credit Union. “And when nonprofits thrive, the ripple effect strengthens families, neighborhoods and entire regions.”

The next Gift of Innovation grant cycle will open in fall 2026. Organizations that are interested in applying can watch www.dupaco.com/ways-we-give for updates.

###

ABOUT DUPACO COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION

Dupaco Community Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative headquartered in Dubuque, Iowa. It is dedicated to the financial well-being of its members, and specializes in personalized financial counseling, money advice and education. It offers savings, loans, investments, insurance and wealth management products for individuals and businesses. Dupaco serves residents in 118 counties throughout Iowa, northwest Illinois and southwest Wisconsin. Founded in 1948 by ten Dubuque Packing Company employees, membership has grown to more than 178,000 with assets exceeding $3.5 billion. It has over 600 employees and 23 branch office locations. It is a Forbes Best-in-State Credit Union, Forbes America’s Best Small Employer, and a Des Moines Register Top Workplace. Learn more at www.dupaco.com.

More Than 115 MMSD Students to Be Honored at Annual MLK Youth Recognition Breakfast

MADISON, Wis.—One hundred eighteen Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) students will be recognized for their academic achievements, leadership and service during the 42nd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Recognition Breakfast, hosted by the Urban League of Greater Madison.

The event will take place Sunday, Jan. 18, at Edgewood High School and will honor nearly 300 middle and high school students from 42 Dane County schools with Outstanding Young Person Awards. MMSD’s honorees include 72 middle school students and 46 high school students.

Award recipients are nominated by their schools based on a combination of strong academic performance, leadership and meaningful contributions to their schools and communities. Notably, two Robert M. La Follette High School seniors will be among the scholarship recipients: Kira Smith will be awarded a Betty Franklin-Hammonds Scholarship, and Rebecca Oruruo will receive a George Anglin Memorial Scholarship. The event will also recognize the newest cohort of MMSD Mann Scholars.

“Our students continue to embody Dr. King’s vision through their dedication to excellence, community engagement and personal integrity,,” said Superintendent Joe Gothard. “Their recognition at this event is not only a celebration of their accomplishments, but also a reminder of the responsibility and opportunity they have to shape a more just and inclusive future.”

Now in its 42nd year, the MLK Youth Recognition Breakfast is one of the longest-running youth recognition events in the region. Nearly 1,000 students, family members, educators and community members are expected to attend.

“This recognition reflects the strength of our students and the educators and families who support them every day,” Gothard said. “We are proud to stand alongside the Urban League of Greater Madison in uplifting young people who lead with purpose and serve their communities.”

MMSD full list of Outstanding Young Person Award recipients is as follows:

• Badger Rock Middle School: Itiel Gonzalez Espinoza, Adam Ocotl Perez, Ejaaz Ra-El, Liam Sandoval, Kylie Schmitt, Rudy Wilson
• Black Hawk Middle School: Ashaad Anderson, Gary Howard III, Sema-J Ivy-Gore, Matthew King, Monaire Lemon, Akilah Williams
• Capital High School: Airam Aleman-Hernandez, Larissa Dobbins, Knox Fettig, Tasha Noel, Avayah Turner
• Cherokee Heights Middle School: Kaddijatou Bah, Tamia English, Phoenixx Jenkins McMurray. Elijah Kennedy Jr., Zyaire Mickelson, Qamille Taylor
• East High School: Kadiatou Diabate, Wilma Hobenu, Ibrahim Danioko, Ramatulah Njie, Zahra Njie, Khadi Sylla, Titus Vang, Isaiah Vielmas, Daree Xiong
• Ezekiel Gillespie Middle School: Enijsia Johnson, Elias-Hanyire Kahite, Liliana Quevedo, Ayanna Smith, Ni’Esha Smith-Whitmore, Jhiana Wisdom
• Velma Hamilton Middle School: Kassandra Ayetey, Isaiah Bonk, Otto Borman, Khalil Jackson, Corielle McClinton, Cadence Yelder
• Robert M. La Follette High School: Zacaria Conklin, Ameillia Grace Cook, Janet Flores Benites, James Harris III, Miesha Henley, E’Yonna Jones, Lillyanne Medenwaldt, Rebecca Oruruo, Miyah Perkins, Kira Smith
• Vel Phillips Memorial High School: Awah Ambahe, Aliyaha Cofer, Kennedi Harden, William Harden, Lavonte Johnson Jr., Talayaja Johnson, Alric Koffison, Heaven McCann, Ronald Smith, London Tafor, Destiny Wallace, Kelvin Washington
• Georgia O’Keeffe Middle School: Imari Dorrough, Marshawn Fizer, Ky’Aire Larrue, John Mack Jr., Nyomee Triggs, Aubrey Turnier
• Ray F. Sennett Middle School: Cecilia Bull, Paisley Cook, Stoni Hawkins, Iliyan Hoskins, Aiden Martin, Nia Nguyuza
• Sherman Middle School: Reinella Foueppe, Aryanna Freeman, Ari’Yahna Handy, Torrance (TJ) Holmes Jr., Alaya McClain-McMillen, Tyjanic Walker
• Spring Harbor Middle School: Vivian Bartlett, Jesus Chacin, Elias Ketchum, Sanjay Remesh, Kazuki Sone, Gopika Vijayaraghavan
• Akira R. Toki Middle School: Destiny Daniel, Lylah Ferris, Fatoumatta Jaiteh, Michael Meier, Aaliyah Mitchell, Ciara Pettaway
• West High School: Randa Amer, Keymontae Brown, Gelen Castellanos Galvis, Sangrielle Harris, Jayla Jones, David Okpara, Adrian Ramirez Cornejo, Melchi Tepepa-Pasaribu, Hezekiah Ward, Ashley Zongo
• Annie Greencrow Whitehorse Middle School: Boubacar Diallo, Michael Hongmanivanh, Ne’Ayla Huffman, Parys Martin, Iyanna Ross, Zenay Ross
• James C. Wright Middle School: Jayce Gray, Jah’Kie Hodges, Kevin Jones Jr., Dmya Long, Peter Mensah, Zeniya Smith

###

About the Madison Metropolitan School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.