Dennis and Deborah Conta Tenor Scholarship Fund
As one of the driving influencers behind the creation of Tenor High School in 2005, Dennis Conta has been a beacon, a collaborator, and most of all a great friend to the entire Tenor High School community. Continuing with his deep commitment to the advancement of equitable education opportunities to Milwaukee students, Dennis and Deborah Conta have created the Dennis and Deborah Conta Tenor Scholarship Fund. The fund, established in 2020, provides financial support for students continuing their education at MATC in pursuit of an Associate’s Degree. Students receiving these funds are selected based on financial need and academic merit. Funds may be used for any educational expenses.
We are grateful for the visionary leadership the Contas continue to provide.
About Dennis and Deborah Conta
Dennis Conta is president of Conta and Associates, a public policy-making firm. His work in the public sector includes eight years as a State Representative in the Wisconsin Legislature, representing the east side of Milwaukee as well as serving as a member of Governor Lucey and Governor Schrieber's cabinet, as Secretary of Revenue. Dennis and Marcia Spector Co-founded Tenor High School in 2005.
Class of 2024 Awardees
Crystal Baez Young
Crystal Baez is the first in her family of five children to complete high school and go to college. During her time in high school, she learned to believe in herself and her abilities. Being the daughter of immigrant parents, she deeply values the hard work and sacrifices they have made to provide her with opportunities for a brighter future. Her drive and appreciation for her family’s efforts fuel her determination to be a successful college student and fulfill her goal of graduating college.
Crystal will attend Milwaukee Area Technical College this fall working towards an Associate’s Degree in the Healthcare field specifically working in Radiography. She also likes to give back to her community by working as a youth leader. In this role she helps youth find positive ways to interact with each other and society through workshops that teach them valuable life skills. Her firm commitment to academic growth and community service make her an outstanding individual.
Jurnee Fisher
Jurnee Fisher distinguished herself at Tenor through her academic and personal leadership. Recognized by her teachers as an outstanding writer, Jurnee has a genuine desire to understand what she was learning. Her 11th grade English teacher observed, “Jurnee is incredibly smart and kind. She stands up for herself and others when she feels there is something wrong and she is a critical thinker when it comes to any situation.”
As a dual enrollment student, Jurnee completed a pre-calculus class taught on our campus by an MATC instructor in 11th grade and completed MATC’s College Algebra (MATH-201) and Trigonometry (MATH-202) classes earning both high school and college credits. As a senior, satisfied the requirements for MATC’s Associate Degree in Healthcare Services Management graduating from high school with 25 college credits and a GPA of 3.85.
Outside of school, Jurnee has played the cello in the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra since elementary school where she served as a mentor for younger students, providing both musical and personal support.
Jurnee plans to complete her Associate Degree in Healthcare Services Management at MATC, a program that includes General Education and healthcare requirements, Business courses and classes designed specifically for her major related to Healthcare Law, Ethics, Research and the Business of Healthcare. Jurnee appreciates being selected as a Conta scholarship recipient, both for the funding it provides and for the vote of confidence in her plans.
Sadie Matchette
Sadie Matchette has shown remarkable growth and dedication during her time at Tenor. She is the oldest of five children and is the first in her family to pursue a college education. This year Sadie took prerequisite courses at MATC in pursuit of a Nursing Degree. Her compassion and caring for others make this career goal a perfect fit.
During her time at Tenor, Sadie learned to embrace diversity. She has developed an appreciation for the many diverse perspectives in her school and broader community, an attribute that will serve her well in the healthcare industry working with a large variety of patients.
During high school and the dual enrollment process, Sadie has matured into a self-assured individual with a clear vision of her future. She transitioned from high school to the rigors of college with a strong work ethic. With a keen sense of her goals and aspirations, Sadie will excel when she returns to MATC in pursuit of her Nursing Degree.
Stella Crane
When she started the transition from high school to becoming a dual enrollment student at MATC, Stella began a journey of discovery starting her the fall semester learning about the fundamentals of Culinary Arts, balancing academics and “hands on” instruction. In the process she began to focus on Baking and Pastry Arts.
During the spring semester, things ‘clicked into place’ for Stella. With Baking and Pastry Arts, she found a career path in which she can use her creativity, her tremendous energy, love of science and her innate attention to detail. Using these natural talents, Stella can nurture friends, family and anyone who needs something special to brighten their day. It just feels right!
Stella is thankful for both the recognition and the funds she will receive from the Dennis and Deborah MATC Scholarship as she continues working toward the MATC Associate Degree in Baking and Pastry Arts.
Omaria Stewart
Omaria Stewart has always known that she wanted to become a nurse. This desire intensified when her sister was diagnosed with arthritis at the age of 7. Omaria and her family would visit the hospital frequently where she saw her sister in pain. She wanted to help her sister in any way she could. This experience ignited a passion for helping others and inspired her to pursue a career in nursing.
As a Tenor dual enrollment student, Omaria started her journey towards an Associate degree in Registered Nursing. During the fall semester, she earned the Nursing Assistant technical diploma learning how to work with patients in a healthcare setting, practice care skills with peers in the classroom and complete a clinical placement in a nursing home.
Omaria follows in the footsteps of two older sisters who graduated from Tenor and studied at MATC. Her demeanor is the perfect balance of warmth and professionalism one would hope to see in a nurse. She has also capable, determined, resilient and tough. Omaria is the first in her family to pursue a degree in Nursing. Growing up in a household where her mother is a single parent, Omaria is thankful for the financial award and is encouraged by the Conta scholarship committee’s belief in her.
Andrea Mosquedsa
Andrea Mosquedsa is committed to serving her community by volunteering to assist the elderly with their daily tasks which can include; cooking, cleaning, doing laundry and various other errands. Her selfless contributions have made a significant impact on the lives of those she has helped, showcasing her compassion and empathy towards others.
As a first-generation college student, Andrea began working towards her Associates Degree in the Healthcare field with a specific concentration on Medical Laboratory Technician. This school year she was dually enrolled at Milwaukee Area Technical College taking prerequisite courses for her program of study. She is enthusiastic about continuing her education in this field which will provide her the opportunity to continue in her work helping people in her community in even more ways.
Araceli Reyes-Gamez
Araceli Reyes-Gamez is the third child in a family of six. She has taken on the responsibility of being the caregiver for her younger siblings. Growing up in this role has taught her compassion and resilience and ignited her passion for working with younger children.
This past spring (2024), Araceli earned her Preschool Certification as a dual enrollment student at MATC. She intends to continue working towards an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education at when she returns in the fall.
Overcoming challenges in her academic journey, Araceli has consistently demonstrated unwavering determination and commitment to her studies. Her empathy and support towards her fellow students in times of need is a testament to her concern for others’ well-being. She took time and learned to become a peer-to-peer suicide advocate. Her drive to overcome obstacles and fulfill her educational goals is truly inspiring to her younger siblings.
Daniel Melendez-Lorenzo
Daniel’s sincerity and good-hearted nature lends itself to a career in healthcare. With an initial goal of becoming a doctor, Daniel used his time at MATC to learn about the healthcare industry and study like a college student. He began by taking prerequisites like Medical Terminology, Anatomy & Physiology, English and Psychology. Focusing on mastering these complex areas and with the knowledge that a patient’s well-being is in their caregiver’s hands, Daniel used this time to “tune up” his academic skills. He practiced using resources, communicating with his instructors, seeking support when needed and learning new skills to structure his time and focus his attention.
By the end of his senior year, Daniel committed to earning MATC’s Associate Degree in Registered Nursing as a stepping stone to advancing his medical career aspirations. His first step is to earn a Nursing Assistant technical diploma allowing him to work in a healthcare setting. From there, he plans to earn a Practical Nursing diploma, and then a Registered Nursing degree. After that, he can develop a specialty, study to become a Nurse Practitioner or pursue his initial goal and apply to medical school. Daniel is grateful that the Conta Scholarship award which will help with the cost of books and materials for his MATC program.
I want to add funds to the Dennis and Deborah Conta Scholarship Fund and help a graduating Tenor student get an Associate’s Degree!
