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 2022 Awardees
Tenor Cathedral Square senior Natalie Canola is the second oldest of nine siblings and she credits her drive to succeed to her family. Many lessons begin at home and Natalie will be the first one to tell you that the thought of going to college and working towards a career began with what she learned from her parents. Their focus on academics and success served Natalie well during her time at Tenor and carried on while she attended MATC. Natalie has taken courses in the Healthcare Pathway at MATC and will finish with a certificate in Healthcare Customer Service. This spring Natalie also began working toward her certification in phlebotomy which she will complete this summer. In the fall Natalie will return to MATC and begin working towards an associate degree in anesthesia technology. Natalie is also self-motivated and is the successful owner and designer of an online jewelry collection.
Tenor Journal Square senior Diego Garcia Gonzalez is the oldest of three siblings and is the first in his family to attend college. English teacher Lori Salinsky taught Diego as a ninth grader and has continued to watch him grow and mature ever since. She observed that Diego distinguished himself by virtue of excellent grades, determination to succeed, and outstanding character. In addition, “Diego is a voracious reader - because of this, he is an excellent writer and has a strong understanding of the world around him.” He has served his community by volunteering at the middle school he attended and at his church. Diego also began working at a job this year with the goal of saving money to help pay for college. As a Tenor senior, Diego demonstrated academic talent and a strong work ethic in 4-year college level classes at MATC. These include College Algebra, English 1 and 2, Micro and Macroeconomics and Intro to Sociology. He will pursue MATC’s associate degree in banking and financial services, with the goal of securing employment in this field and transferring to a 4-year college to complete a degree in business.
Tenor Journal Square senior Evelyn Martinez credits her success in school to lessons she learned from her parents. Their focus on academics and conscientious use of time have served Evelyn well in high school and in her senior year MATC classes. Evelyn has taken 4-year college level classes including Intermediate Algebra, Basic Statistics, Introductory Psychology and Intro to Sociology and even sampled an animation class this year. She has been admitted to several 4-year colleges, but chose to return to MATC to pursue her associate of science degree with a concentration in psychology. Evelyn appreciates the affordability of her studies at MATC and the support available for students in her classrooms and throughout the campus. She looks forward to taking challenging courses next year and to setting a good example for her younger sisters. Evelyn plans to transfer to a 4-year college after completing her associate degree.
Tenor Journal Square senior Nancy Sanchez is the valedictorian of the class of 2022. Nancy’s outstanding work ethic built the foundation for her transition to challenging MATC courses like Anatomy & Physiology, English 1 & 2, Lifespan Psychology, and Introduction to Sociology and to continuing her tradition of achievement in college. Nancy began her senior year planning for a career in pediatric nursing, but later reflected on her volunteer service caring for and doing projects with children at her church. She realized that her real love is interacting and working with kids and changed her career goal. Nancy will return to MATC for the Associate of Arts Teacher Education Pre-major. Students who earn this degree can choose from nine Wisconsin colleges that collaborate with MATC to finish her bachelor’s degree in education. Nancy appreciates Tenor High School’s early college program and the MATC Promise program which will allow her to complete the first two years of her degree without taking on college loans.
