STUDENT AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIPS
STUDENT SUMMER SCHOLARSHIPS
Each year, WATG awards scholarships to students across the state of Wisconsin to attend summer enrichment opportunities.
Awards: Based on strength of applications & scholarship funds raised.
APPLICATION FORM - ENGLISH
SOLICITUD DE LA BECA - ESPANOL
Download Application Rubric
Deadline: April 15
Scholarship Flyer - Please Share
Awards: Based on strength of applications & scholarship funds raised.
APPLICATION FORM - ENGLISH
SOLICITUD DE LA BECA - ESPANOL
Download Application Rubric
Deadline: April 15
Scholarship Flyer - Please Share
NICHOLAS GREEN DISTINGUISHED STUDENT AWARD
Eligibility: Wisconsin Students in grades 3-6
Award: $250 check, WATG certificate
Application Deadline: June 15th
Application Link
You will be required to complete the application form and upload the following documents in order for your application to be considered.
1. An essay composed by the student that describes:
1a. Background information about themselves (personal history and general information that the student would like WATG to know about them)
1b. A special area of interest or activity
1c. How the student got interested or involved in this activity
1d. What impact the activity has had on the student and others
1e. How the student’s future plans and goals have been affected by this activity or area of interest
2. One letter of recommendation from someone other than a family member. The letter should explain why the nominee is deserving of the award, what sets them apart from other students, and how the nominee is impacting others.
Rubric for the Nicholas Green Distinguished Student Application
Background about this Award: Nicholas Green was a bright seven-year old who was killed in a senseless shooting while on vacation in Italy. Nicholas’ parents started the Distinguished Student Awards because they wanted to recognize young people who are working hard to make the most of their lives and develop their unique gifts and talents, and who are now about the age that Nicholas was when he died. Nicholas’ parents donated the money they had saved for his college expenses to fund a scholarship to recognize a gifted student in each state, every year from 2000-2013. WATG decided to continue this recognition in Wisconsin and has been presenting a Nicholas Green Distinguished Student Award to a deserving student in grades 3-6 since 2014.
Award: $250 check, WATG certificate
Application Deadline: June 15th
Application Link
You will be required to complete the application form and upload the following documents in order for your application to be considered.
1. An essay composed by the student that describes:
1a. Background information about themselves (personal history and general information that the student would like WATG to know about them)
1b. A special area of interest or activity
1c. How the student got interested or involved in this activity
1d. What impact the activity has had on the student and others
1e. How the student’s future plans and goals have been affected by this activity or area of interest
2. One letter of recommendation from someone other than a family member. The letter should explain why the nominee is deserving of the award, what sets them apart from other students, and how the nominee is impacting others.
Rubric for the Nicholas Green Distinguished Student Application
Background about this Award: Nicholas Green was a bright seven-year old who was killed in a senseless shooting while on vacation in Italy. Nicholas’ parents started the Distinguished Student Awards because they wanted to recognize young people who are working hard to make the most of their lives and develop their unique gifts and talents, and who are now about the age that Nicholas was when he died. Nicholas’ parents donated the money they had saved for his college expenses to fund a scholarship to recognize a gifted student in each state, every year from 2000-2013. WATG decided to continue this recognition in Wisconsin and has been presenting a Nicholas Green Distinguished Student Award to a deserving student in grades 3-6 since 2014.

Nicholas Green 2022 Distinguished Student Award goes to…
Students in 3rd through 6th grades in Wisconsin were eligible to apply for the 2022 Nicholas Green Distinguished Student Award. This year we had a record number of applications, and WATG’s selection committee had a tough time choosing only one winner. The number and quality of applications demonstrated how much talent, work ethic, and leadership exists in Wisconsin’s young students. WATG is pleased to announce Oliver Pape as the winner of the 2022 Nicholas Green Distinguished Student Award.
Oliver Pape is a 9 year old who attends Cumberland Elementary School in Whitefish Bay. Oliver is passionate about music and desires to share his love of music with the world. Oliver also excels in academics. He is a full year grade advanced and double math accelerated.
Oliver’s piano teacher stated that “Not only does Oliver demonstrate natural ability, he also invests a great amount of effort into his studies in order to develop his piano playing. He continues to deepen his learning by striving for new challenges.” Further, his teacher noted, “He also is able to articulate his own thoughts in a collaborative manner to help construct a personal voice in what he wants to explore and learn musically. He does this while also respecting curricular goals for sequential and balanced learning. This is enabling him to become a well-rounded, diverse musician that is comfortable playing many styles and genres of music.”
Olive is grateful to his family and the teachers, especially Drew Donica, Gina Flynn, Michelle Troskey, Patti Ptak, and Julie Riedl who have supported his growth and potential.
Please join WATG in congratulating Oliver for being this year’s Nicholas Green Distinguished Student!
Students in 3rd through 6th grades in Wisconsin were eligible to apply for the 2022 Nicholas Green Distinguished Student Award. This year we had a record number of applications, and WATG’s selection committee had a tough time choosing only one winner. The number and quality of applications demonstrated how much talent, work ethic, and leadership exists in Wisconsin’s young students. WATG is pleased to announce Oliver Pape as the winner of the 2022 Nicholas Green Distinguished Student Award.
Oliver Pape is a 9 year old who attends Cumberland Elementary School in Whitefish Bay. Oliver is passionate about music and desires to share his love of music with the world. Oliver also excels in academics. He is a full year grade advanced and double math accelerated.
Oliver’s piano teacher stated that “Not only does Oliver demonstrate natural ability, he also invests a great amount of effort into his studies in order to develop his piano playing. He continues to deepen his learning by striving for new challenges.” Further, his teacher noted, “He also is able to articulate his own thoughts in a collaborative manner to help construct a personal voice in what he wants to explore and learn musically. He does this while also respecting curricular goals for sequential and balanced learning. This is enabling him to become a well-rounded, diverse musician that is comfortable playing many styles and genres of music.”
Olive is grateful to his family and the teachers, especially Drew Donica, Gina Flynn, Michelle Troskey, Patti Ptak, and Julie Riedl who have supported his growth and potential.
Please join WATG in congratulating Oliver for being this year’s Nicholas Green Distinguished Student!
Adult Awards
Each year at the WATG Fall Conference, the Wisconsin Association for Talented and Gifted honors individuals, schools or organizations who have made significant contributions to furthering WATG’s mission by educating or advocating for the needs of Wisconsin’s gifted and talented children. As a WATG member, you have the opportunity to nominate someone who, in your opinion, is worthy of recognition. These nominations may include:
*Outstanding Educator
*Outstanding GT Coordinator
*Outstanding Administrator or School Board Member
*Outstanding Higher Education Representative
*Outstanding Parent
*Outstanding Legislator
*Outstanding School
*Outstanding Organization
A written nomination letter will be required from the nominator familiar with the nominee. Please provide a detailed explanation of the nominee's outstanding accomplishments that qualifies them for this award (250 words or less).
You might consider a person, institution, or organization who/that has:
*Made a valuable contribution to the enhancement of gifted/talented efforts in our state
*Made a significant difference in a school or district
*Had a dramatic effect on students
*Been of extraordinary service to parents, or
*Done exemplary work in curriculum development or faculty in-service
Deadline is September 1, 2023.
The application form and ability to upload the nomination letter is available here.
For general questions, please contact us at watg@watg.org.
*Outstanding Educator
*Outstanding GT Coordinator
*Outstanding Administrator or School Board Member
*Outstanding Higher Education Representative
*Outstanding Parent
*Outstanding Legislator
*Outstanding School
*Outstanding Organization
A written nomination letter will be required from the nominator familiar with the nominee. Please provide a detailed explanation of the nominee's outstanding accomplishments that qualifies them for this award (250 words or less).
You might consider a person, institution, or organization who/that has:
*Made a valuable contribution to the enhancement of gifted/talented efforts in our state
*Made a significant difference in a school or district
*Had a dramatic effect on students
*Been of extraordinary service to parents, or
*Done exemplary work in curriculum development or faculty in-service
Deadline is September 1, 2023.
The application form and ability to upload the nomination letter is available here.
For general questions, please contact us at watg@watg.org.
Outstanding Contribution in Wisconsin G/T Awards 2023
Each year, WATG honors Wisconsin individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to the cause of Wisconsin’s gifted and talented children.
Eligibility: Wisconsin based adult, school or organization
Awards: Based on strength of nomination letter
Awards Presented at WATG Annual Conference: Oct. 9-10
Application and Nomination Deadline: Sep. 1
Online Application and Nomination Letter Application
Each year, WATG honors Wisconsin individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to the cause of Wisconsin’s gifted and talented children.
Eligibility: Wisconsin based adult, school or organization
Awards: Based on strength of nomination letter
Awards Presented at WATG Annual Conference: Oct. 9-10
Application and Nomination Deadline: Sep. 1
Online Application and Nomination Letter Application
DONNA RAE AND BOB CLASEN SCHOLARSHIP
The Wisconsin Association for the Talented and Gifted (WATG) is pleased to announce the establishment of a scholarship fund for Wisconsin students attending courses offered by the Wisconsin Center for Academically Talented Youth (WCATY). WCATY is part of the Division of Continuing Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. An anonymous donor has established an endowment to honor the late Dr. Robert Clasen and his wife Dr. Donna Rae Clasen, both leaders in gifted education in Wisconsin. Additional donations to the fund can be made in any amount as tributes to the Clasens. Please send your donation with a check made out to "UW Foundation" and a memo line of "Clasen Scholarship for the Wisconsin Center for Academically Talented Youth" to this address:
UW Foundation
U.S. Bank Lockbox
Box 78807
Milwaukee, WI 53278-0807
Thank you for helping gifted students in Wisconsin.
UW Foundation
U.S. Bank Lockbox
Box 78807
Milwaukee, WI 53278-0807
Thank you for helping gifted students in Wisconsin.