Innovator Fellowship Spotlights
The IF Program is a project-based, collaborative learning experience that encourages students to delve into career paths beyond the ordinary, fostering a community of creative thinkers. The program's goal is to inspire students to "Dream Big" and turn those dreams into reality, transcending the confines of North High School.
As the 2023-2024 school year progresses, these eight students are preparing for their final presentations this spring, showcasing the culmination of their hard work and dedication.
Their projects not only earn them credits towards graduation but also offer them the opportunity to earn Honors credits. Beginning this fall, Fellows can earn college and high school credit for their projects.
The 2023-24 Innovator Fellowship lineup includes:
Anna Adamavich, junior, “INSPIHER.” Anna's summer day camp empowers girls aged 8-13 to dream big and become active members of society through fun activities and mentorship.
Alina Cha, senior, “What’s Your Story?” Alina's installation provides a platform for sharing narratives, fostering connections and empathy across different backgrounds.
Eileen English, senior, “Beat! A Musical Garden.” Eileen's project designs an outdoor musical installation at Vollrath Park, featuring five stations with instruments and a children's storybook, to encourage musical expression in the community.
Isabella Froh, senior, “Open Ears.” Isabella's initiative installs 'telecoil hearing loops' in Sheboygan's public places, improving the experience for individuals with hearing aids in loud settings.
Jake Leismer, senior, “Sheboygan County Youth Voters.” Jake's organization engages Sheboygan’s 16–25-year-olds in local politics through voter registration drives and information campaigns.
Flinn Opel, junior, “STEAM Sheboygan” Flinn's project inspires students through STEAM education, using the Questioneers book series to nurture critical thinking, self-expression and creativity.
George Phillips, senior, “Sheboogie.” George's project aims to bring together a diverse group of musicians and promote the live jazz scene in Sheboygan.
Sarah Redell, junior, “Vision for Success.” Sarah's project ensures elementary students in the Sheboygan Area School District will receive necessary glasses by partnering with local nonprofits and raising awareness in schools.
Isabella Froh
“My name is Isabella Froh,
I am a senior, and I have lived with a hearing impairment my whole life. During high school, I heard about a program through Lakeland University and North High School to build a project to change Sheboygan, it is called The Innovator Fellowship Program. I decided to build a project upon what I was truly passionate about, hearing loss. The idea of something called a ‘telecoil hearing loop’ was brought to light, and this project evolved into my installation chain in Sheboygan, WI called Open Ears. My project objective is to install as many hearing loops into public places around Sheboygan as possible (i.e. stores, auditoriums, and restaurants). This will allow for those with hearing aids to have an overall better experience and an equal opportunity to hear what is being said to them in these loud settings. I believe everyone should have an equal experience in public places. Those with hearing loss should not have to suffer the most. Open Ears can eliminate the struggle in Sheboygan businesses. My hearing loop chain will help tremendously throughout the community. Currently, I am identifying the need for funding. One countertop loop typically costs $400-$600, while auditoriums are priced at much more ($8,000-$15,000). Anyone interested in donating to my cause has the opportunity to ‘sponsor’ that specific loop for either a store, restaurant, or the Sheboygan North and South auditoriums.”
Anna Adamavich
“Hello! I am Anna Adamavich, a junior at North High School in Sheboygan. I am also a part of the Innovator Fellowship program this year. In my free time, I love playing volleyball and spending time with friends and family. And in the summertime, you can find me working at Black Wolf Run in Kohler. I am a very passion-driven person, which is why I decided to apply to IF last year. I knew I could do a lot of good for the community through this program.
That's when I brainstormed with Mr. Johnson and came up with an idea that ultimately turned into INSPIHER. I saw the need for equality between men and women, especially for young girls to realize their true potential and that they were equal to any male counterpart in their lives. So INSPIHER became a summer day camp for young girls between the ages of 8-13, designed to uplift and empower the next generation of young girls in the community!
If you're interested in a volunteer experience this summer working with elementary and middle school girls, INSPIHER is looking for enthusiastic and positive volunteers who want to make a difference in these young girls' lives. Each group of six girls will primarily be led by two high school students, with an adult counselor overseeing. We aim to have one adult counselor per group. Other volunteer positions, such as assisting with activity setup, are also available.
Counselors are expected to commit to all three days of the camp, scheduled for June 28th, 2024, July 1st, 2024, and July 10th, 2024, from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This is a full-day event, so be prepared for a day filled with fun and excitement!
Please note that this is a volunteer position, and transportation will not be provided for staff, volunteers, or counselors. We look forward to welcoming you this summer for an unforgettable experience! If you want to be involved, you can find us on Instagram: @inspiher_sheboygan, our website: inspiher3.godaddysites.com, or email me at 25adamavich775@sasd.net!”
Alina Cha
“Hello everyone! My name is Alina Cha. I am a senior at North High School. I am an individual who loves serving my community, dancing, and enjoying time with loved ones. Due to my love for serving my community, I’ve taken on something new and challenging called the Innovator Fellowship program which will allow me to make a positive contribution to the community. This program allows students to create projects they’re passionate about. In my case, my project is called “Whats Your Story” which is a moving installation that will feature anonymous, hand-written stories. My installation creates an opportunity for anyone to write their own story and experience others. The interactive element of allowing people to write their own stories and read others will create a dynamic and engaging atmosphere in our community. The main inspiration behind this project was a program I was previously in called the GANAS program. Our final objective in GANAS was to create our final testimonio talking about a difficult experience we had. I was able to learn more about myself and my peers through the testimonios that we shared. Although there were a variety of stories, we were able to relate to each other which uplifted us. From this program, I gained an understanding of what they’ve experienced and how it shaped them to be the person they are today. I was able to witness the power of writing and the ability to resonate with others and have them resonate with me. This experience is what led me to this project. It just inspired me to bring people of all backgrounds to tell their stories. My ultimate mission is to give people the opportunity to share their narratives and meaningful stories in a safe and supportive environment. I also hope to inspire others to connect and empathize with people from different backgrounds and perspectives by sharing my experience. I hope to create a space where people feel seen, heard, and valued by showcasing these stories. Our installation will be held at four locations, Nyob Zoo Cafe, UW-Green Bay, Paradigm Coffee, and the Lakeland Art Gallery. Once we have collected all the stories I would like to compile all the stories into a book. I believe it is a perfect way to honor the stories and the people who shared them. I see the book as not only a work of art but also a valuable document that captures the essence of our shared experiences. Ultimately, I hope you will consider sharing your story. Your story has the power to inspire and create connections with individuals who may be going through similar situations and can make such a meaningful impact on others. Lastly, I would greatly appreciate it if you would follow along with my project by following my social media below. Thank you!”
Eileen English
“Hello! From a young age, I have always loved music. Whether I was banging spoons together at the dinner table or starting piano lessons when I entered kindergarten, music was a constant part of my life. As I grew up, I became more involved with music in the community. I joined the Sheboygan Symphony Youth Orchestra, began playing music at mass and cantoring, and participated in musical competitions. I also became involved within my school. I run cross country in the fall, and I lead Robotics, Drumline, Sailing, and Delta (a service club).
Last year, I partnered with the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra to create a musical garden to encourage musical expression through the Innovator Fellowship program. I extend my deepest thanks to the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra for their support and collaboration. Within the last 12 months, I have designed an outdoor musical installation, fundraised $50,000, partnered with city officials to secure a location for the project, and ordered outdoor instruments.
The musical garden will be installed at Vollrath Park in May of 2024 and will consist of five stations. Each station will have a permanently installed outdoor musical instrument (like a set of drums or bells) and a page explaining the instrument in the style of a children’s book. The installation will be handicap accessible, and the City of Sheboygan is installing additional sidewalks to the park to help.
This year I am continuing my project by writing a children’s book centered on teaching the elements of music. The pages of the book, “Beat!” will be installed with the instruments in May along with a conductor’s stand to tie it all together. The final grand opening of the park is set for June 1st at 9 a.m. There will be other music opportunities for children, families, etc., there, not just the grand opening for the park. See you there!
Thank you!”
“Hi, I’m Flinn Opel, the visionary and creator of STEAM Sheboygan. STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) Sheboygan is an educational movement that inspires students to dream big, experiment (including trying and failing before success), and encourages students to feel confident in their abilities.
First, I came up with the idea for my Innovator Fellowship project at the beginning of 2023. I realized how much STEAM had shaped my life for the better, and I wanted others to also become excited about these fields. After looking deeper into how STEAM education has helped me, I noticed all the important skills it taught me: critical thinking, teamwork, problem-solving, creativity, perseverance, and self-expression. These are all foundational skills nurtured through STEAM education. I am passionate about sharing STEAM education with youth around Sheboygan County so everyone can gain access to these foundational skills in a fun way.
Later, after being selected as a Fellow, I surveyed the community, asking teachers, students, and community organizations where they saw a need for STEAM education. There was a big emphasis on showing students that the scientific method and engineering process were not linear. Both “cycles” are steps of revising your ideas and going at the problem with a new perspective after you fail. Students can gain valuable lessons of perseverance and hard work in STEAM.
Next, I looked at ways to solve this problem. After discussion with Bookworm Gardens and Above and Beyond Children’s Museum, we have decided to partner and create a split garden/exhibit around the Questioneers book series by Andrea Beaty. These books are inclusive and spread information about young kids exploring their way through science (Ada Twist, scientist), engineering (Rosie Revere, engineer), art (Aaron Slater, illustrator), and math (Iggy Peck, architect).The final project will take place as a season-long garden at Bookworm and a permanent exhibit at Above and Beyond Children’s Museum. Keep up to date with my progress on Instagram! @steam.sheboygan”
Flinn Opel
Jake Leismer
"My name is Jake Leismer, and I am a senior at Sheboygan North. My Innovator Fellowship project is Sheboygan County Youth Voters, a non-partisan organization devoted to registering, informing, and engaging Sheboygan’s 16-25-year-olds in local politics. This project is driven by the love of politics I’ve developed since working on Chet Gerlach’s State Representative campaign in 2022. Moving forward from that, I’ve been able to meet many great people and gain many opportunities I otherwise would not have, including interning in the Mayor’s Office this school year. Upon the suggestion of my humanities teacher and former debate coach, Chad Stauber-Soik, it was these opportunities that led to me applying to the Innovator Fellowship in hopes of increasing awareness about the offerings of the Sheboygan Community and expanding involvement in local politics. As it stands now, Sheboygan County Youth Voters is preparing for the upcoming April local elections and its planned “Vote Sheboygan” initiative. This program will seek to spread voting accessibility information through canvassing starting in March, produce voter information and spotlight videos with our partners at local high schools and the League of Women Voters of Sheboygan County, host voter registration drives at local universities and high schools, and a variety of other efforts designed to turn out the voter for the immensely important local elections on April 2nd. Looking past these elections, Sheboygan County Youth Voters will be looking to continue growing, forming new partnerships, expanding into neighboring communities, and commencing additional projects in the hopes of creating an active political scene in Sheboygan’s youth population. Keep an eye out on our social media for announcements about events, projects, and my year recap that will take place in late May. If you have any questions or would like to assist this project in any way, don’t hesitate to reach out to Sheboygan County Youth Voters at ShebYouthVoters@gmail.com, visit our website at www.sites.google.com/view/ShebYouthVoters, or DM us on Instagram at @YouthVotersSheb.” 
Sarah Redell
My name is Sarah Redell and I am a junior at North High School. I enjoy playing sports such as tennis and being involved in multiple clubs. My innovator fellowship is a school-based program that will help address the vision care needs for elementary students across the SASD. My goal is to help with the follow-up process of vision screening to ensure students are getting the glasses they need after being identified with vision problems. I came up with my project idea after hearing my mom, an elementary school teacher, talk about how many students don’t receive the vision care they need and consequently fall behind academically. So far in my project I have met with multiple teachers in the SASD to identify the need for my program in various schools and to gain insight on what teachers think. The main cause of students not receiving the vision care they need is the cost. I have also met with a couple Lion’s Club members to discuss their role in vision screening in schools and how many students are being identified as having poor vision. My future plan is to partner with Lakeshore Community Healthcare in order to implement my program, since their mission is to provide health care, regardless of ability to pay. Once I have all of my needed partnerships, I will then advertise my program to SASD schools to ensure parents are aware of my program. By creating this program, families will have a place to turn to if they can’t afford vision care for their children. 