Eagles Club makes 'necessary' $15K donation to initiative

When the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #1243 was considering donation requests at a recent meeting, there was a lot of discussion about the Forging a Future initiative at Winona Area Public Schools. 

There wasn’t a lot of debate, however. Everyone was on board.

“Everyone agreed that this is necessary,” Eagles Club president Randy Schacht said. “Everything this is doing is making it better for Winona and the surrounding areas. This is going to help kids get jobs. It’s going to help businesses. It’s going to keep kids in town.

“Why wouldn’t we support this?”

The Eagles Club then approved a $15,000 donation, one of the first significant contributions toward the initiative to improve career and technical education (CTE) opportunities for students in Winona Area Public Schools. 

“We are deeply grateful to the Eagles Club for recognizing the importance of the Forging a Future initiative,” said WAPS Superintendent Brad Berzinski. “They share our vision of expanding career and technical education opportunities that prepare students with the skills and confidence to thrive, while also strengthening our local workforce. This is truly a community investment in our shared future.”

Forging a Future began in the spring of 2023. It started with an advisory group of individuals representing local manufacturers and educational institutions to give WAPS administrators and teachers guidance in bringing the program back to life. There have been incremental improvements since — expanded work study opportunities, more connections with local businesses, additional classes for WSHS students — and things have really started to take off in recent months. 

Just before the school year began, the Foundation for Winona Area Public Schools announced its big fundraising events would benefit the Forging a Future initiative, setting a goal of $100,000. District leaders have also been meeting with local businesses to share their vision for the type of programming that could be possible with additional support beyond what is raised by the Foundation.

As far as the Eagles Club members are concerned, it’s a no-brainer. 

“This town is looking for people (to work) at every level. There are jobs here,” Eagles Club Gambling Manager Larry Hock said. “This will help give students those skills. It’s a good idea. I hope the businesses in town will support it.”

Barb Tust, Eagles Club Secretary and Trustee, said that the skills you learn in these classes stay with you forever. She mentioned her son, who took several industrial tech classes and considered carpentry for a while, has helped about 10 of his friends remodel their home even though he didn’t go into the trades.

“If the opportunities like this are there for them, then they probably will find a good job,” she said. “Once they get these skills learned, they can make a nice living.”

The one thing that stood out most to the Eagles Club, however, was the planning that has taken place. Led by CTE coordinator Jeremy Graves, industrial technology teacher Jerry Benedict and principal Nathan Warneke, WAPS has been working with LAB Midwest, a company that aligns curriculum and machinery needs in the classroom with local business needs in the community. 

LAB Midwest has put together different options based on the amount of funds available, ranging from $105,000 to $540,000. The options include not only the content that will be taught, but also the equipment and supplies that are needed, as well as proper training for WAPS educators. 

The donation from the Eagles Club, as well as potential donations from other groups, organizations and businesses in Winona, will lead to more opportunities for Winona area students. 

“It’s a good idea,” Hock said. “I hope the businesses in town will support it.”

For Schacht, it’s personal. He didn’t see himself in a four-year college and thought about the Navy — “But the Navy didn’t want me,” he said with a laugh. So he got a job at Peerless Chain, utilizing the skills he learned in the same industrial tech wing he wants so badly to improve. 

“I worked there for 40 years,” he said. “And I had children. They went to high school here and then left town. And that breaks your heart. I’d rather see these kids stay here, get a job here, build a home here, raise their own family here …

“This is necessary.”

To learn more about Forging a Future, visit winonaschools.org/forging. To request a meeting about the fundraising campaign, contact Jenny Baertsch, Foundation for WAPS executive director, at jenny.baertsch@winona.k12.mn.us.