Celebration Dinner 2026
On Thursday, May 28, 2026, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County (BBBSWC) held their annual Celebration Dinner which recognized seven graduating Big & Little mentoring matches: Big Sister Karen Rayner and Little Sister Alexis, Big Sister Liz Will and Little Sister Jordan, Big Couple Elizabeth and Steve Green and Little Brother Andrew, Big Brother Scott Lopas and Little Brother Donavin, Big Brother Don Horen and Little Brother Tyler, Big Brother Jason Brown and Little Brother Noah, and Big Sister Monica Hafenbreadl and Little Sister Trinity. Another 17 youth from West Bend High East & West High Schools, Slinger High School and Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School also graduated from the new Beyond School Walls career mentoring program which launched in late 2025. Matches graduate from BBBS when the Littles graduate from high school or turn 18. The Big & Little of the Year, Big Brother Ken Henk and Little Brother Willem, were also recognized for their outstanding participation as a mentoring match in the BBBS program.
Horicon Bank was awarded the Business Partner of the Year because of their continued support and commitment to BBBS, and Curt Stockhausen was recognized as the Donor of the Year due to his long-time generosity and financial support. Quad Graphics in Hartford and West Bend Insurance were also recognized for being the 2025/2026 Beyond School Walls Business Partners of the Year, and West Bend Early Riser Kiwanis were awarded the Community Partner of the Year. Numerous mentoring matches that reached 1, 5 and 7 years together were also recognized at this event held at the Prairie Center, in West Bend. Hyatt’s Magic provided entertainment for the evening, while Festival Foods and Nehm’s Greenhouses in Slinger made generous donations to support our mission and the event.
Board President, Tiffany Koehler, delivered the keynote address, which rallied the attendees around the event theme: Big Dreams, Bigger Vision Koehler, boldly stated, “For 56 years, this community has believed in the power of mentorship—in the simple, extraordinary act of showing up for a young person and watching their world expand. And tonight, we get to celebrate not only the dreams we have helped nurture, but the bigger vision we’re stepping into together.”
Emmy-Award Winning Journalist and former Big Sister Katrina Cravy was the evening’s Impact Speaker; her address reminded those gathered, “All of us here are brand ambassadors for Big Brothers Big Sisters, and we need to spread the word and get out the good news. Bring this organization into your work; tell a friend; tell your families. You all have the ability right now to be the spark that makes a magical connection between and adult and a child.”
Executive Director, Heidi Sternig announced BIG accomplishments in 2025, which included receiving several significant capital grants to help with building repairs on the front and rear facades of the BBBSWC building in downtown West Bend, the remodeling of our basement recreation room “The Mentor Zone,” and the launching of Beyond School Walls (the BBBSWC career mentoring program which matches high school students with career mentors located at our designated business partners, Quad Graphics and West Bend Insurance). BIG goals for 2026 were also reviewed, including continuing to champion mentorship as a force for economic mobility, and making sure every youth who wants a mentor gets one. “The unwavering support and our ability to walk alongside all of you here tonight allows us to fulfill our mission of creating one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth,” said Executive Director Heidi Sternig.
Over 25 Littles, “youth” between 6-17 years old are currently waiting for a volunteer Big, “mentor,” who can be as young as 16 years old who lives, works or attends school in Washington County. To learn more about mentoring options including community- or site-based mentoring or the Beyond School Walls career mentoring program, please call BBBS at 262-334-7896, Email: info@bbbswashco.org