The National Merit Scholarship Competition (NMSC) recently announced the names of over 16,000 Semifinalists in the 71th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Homestead High School is excited to announce that six of our senior students have qualified as National Merit Semifinalists. Those students are: Anderson Brewer, Benjamin Friederichs, Aurko Ghose, Aditya Kosaraju, Siddharth Kosaraju, and Brady Youngstrom.

These academically talented seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for 6,930 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of competition. Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies.

Homestead High School’s Latin Team, led by longtime Latin teacher Marianne Wallach, recently returned from the 71st National Junior Classical League (NJCL) Convention held at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, from July 21-26. The team made a historic mark on the national stage with a stunning series of victories and milestones. As part of a team of 83 students representing the state of Wisconsin, Homestead’s 30 Latin scholars brought home unprecedented accolades in academics, the arts, spirit competitions, and athletics.

The Mequon-Thiensville School District (MTSD) and Board of Education held its Budget Hearing & Annual Meeting on the evening of Monday, July 21, 2025. This hearing provides an opportunity for community members to engage in the budget process,  reinforcing the District’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of public funds. During the Budget Hearing, the MTSD Board of Education voted to approve a preliminary balanced budget in the amount of $75,627,272 for the 2025-26 school year. 

“The information provided at this meeting was current as of Monday, June 16 due to the timing of the Board of Education approval of the preliminary budget,” said Andrew Sarnow, MTSD’s Executive Director of Business Services. “There are still assumptions and calculated estimates in the presented information that may need to be adjusted in advance of the presentation of the final budget, levy, and mill rate to the Board of Education in October.”

The Milwaukee North Shore Rotary Club recognizes students in our area who demonstrate leadership with the “Service Above Self” Award.

Homestead High School is proud to announce that junior Caroline Oberneder is a recipient of the award. Student selection i​s based on commitment to community, impeccable character, and high academic potential. 

“We are proud of Caroline for her outstanding contributions to our school,” said Eric Ebert, Principal of Homestead High School. “She goes above and beyond to create a positive environment for others and her overall spirit of inclusivity embodies the characteristics of a Mighty Highlander. Simply put, Caroline makes Homestead a better place for all.” 

The Mequon-Thiensville School District is proud to announce that fourteen student artists received accolades for their visual artwork through the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Under the direction of teachers Melinda Plamann (Steffen and Lake Shore Middle Schools), Kat Hustedde, Katie Nowak, and Gina Ruchalski (Homestead High School), students from Steffen Middle School and Homestead High School received ten Gold Keys, one Silver Keys, and seventeen Honorable Mentions. Especially notable this year is Elsa Heinrich’s Gold Key for her Senior Portfolio, an accomplishment achieved by only five other students in the region and a first for Homestead High School.