As residents of Oconto, Suring, and Green Bay, Wisconsin, Brian's family feels a strong need to encourage the young people of their home area in their educational pursuits. Several scholarships have been established to help Northeastern Wisconsin students enter vocations that will sustain and improve the quality of life in the area that Brian and his family called home.
Brian LaViolette was born on January 23, 1977 at Bellin Hospital in Green Bay,Wisconsin, touching the lives of the LaViolettes in a profound and positive way. Almost three years later the same magical experience occurred at Bellin Hospital when his sister Kim was born on November 18, 1979. This scholarship was started to honor and thank the nurses who spend their lives helping others at a place where life begins. In recognition of their hard work and dedication, Brian’s Foundation awards this annual scholarship in his name.
NWTC students achieve the technical skills businesses need for success. Character, attitude, leadership and professional growth are just a few of the traits that the Brian LaViolette Foundation has looked for since 2000 when it began awarding and recognizing graduating seniors from Oconto and Suring High Schools moving on to higher education at Northeastern Wisconsin Technical College.
A stroll through the St. Norbert College Campus in De Pere,Wisconsin gives witness to more than a century of work by nurturing leaders, alumni, faculty, and friends. Their hard work ensures that this fruitful learning continues. Since 1992, young men and women who are the brightest and best have had a chance to pursue their goals and dreams with the help of Brian’s Foundation. These awards are based on academic and extracurricular excellence.
Junior Achievement’s (JA) mission is to educate and inspire young people to value free enterprise, understand business and economics, and be workforce-ready. JA brings economics to life by providing K-12 students the marketable skills they will need for future success. Adult volunteers facilitate hands-on activities directly with students during the school day using curricula prepared by JA. Brian’s Foundation recognizes their efforts by presenting a cash award at Junior Achievement’s annual Business Challenge.
Grampa Ollie was a special person in Brian’s life, and he is now remembered through a scholarship in his name at Suring High School, thanks to the generosity of his family. Ollie served this country and community his entire life. Ollie, a World War II U.S. Navy veteran, will always be remembered for his compassion, love of life, and admiration of his family.
Brian LaViolette believed in hard work; he wrote “the more I want to get something done, the less I call it work!” His aunt, Sue LeTourneau, feels the same way, and in 2004 started two annual scholarships funded by the generosity of Green Packers fans from all over the world. During each Packers home game at Lambeau Field, Sue and friends of Brian’s Foundation hold “Brats for Brian,” a tailgate party where donations are “cheerfully accepted.” These scholarships touch the lives of students from Oconto and Suring High School and the hundreds of fans who stop by every season to continue the journey.
Scholarships were awarded to young women beginning in 2005 through the generosity of Victoria Parmentier. One of the awards is presented at Oconto High School, in memory of Vicki’s mother-in-law, Ester Cleveland Safford, a former Oconto County teacher. The first priority of this award is to encourage students to continue on to higher education. Ideally, the candidate will major in education. Ashwaubenon High School was also chosen to help a student continue her dream, since that is where Victoria graduated and began her business career.
