Greget receives 2024 HL Kuse Award
The HL Kuse Award was developed by the Taylor County Literacy Council in 2017 in honor of Hildegard and Loretta Kuse, Medford natives, lifelong educators, and curators of the Kuse Farm Museum and Nature Preserve. Hildegard and Loretta have both written a host of educational and church materials, as well as content about plants, animals, and history of Taylor County shared on the Kuse Farm Museum and Nature Preserve website: http://www.kusemuseum-naturepreserve. Adult Coloring Contest
org/main/index.html.. The purpose of the HL Kuse Award is to recognize the efforts of individuals or groups who, like the Kuses (Hildegard and Loretta), have developed materials to preserve the rich history of Taylor County.
Criteria: 1. Individual either is or at one time was a resident of Taylor County or a surrounding county. 2. Has created materials to share and preserve Taylor County’s rich history. This could include a book, article, video, audio, or other format.
3. Material could be fiction or nonfiction, related or supporting the nature, history or education of Taylor County.
4. Material needs to have been published or in some way easily accessible to others (ex. webage).
5. This award may be awarded annually, depending on worthy candidates.
See GREGET on page 4 6. Candidates may be nominated by a short description or why they should be considered for the award.
Prior HL Kuse Award recipients have included: 2017 Hildegard and Loretta Kuse 2018 Robert Rusch 2019 Stephen Kalmon 2020 Chris Kulinski and Cathy Retzer 2021 Sara Nuernberger 2023 Ron Shiffler At the recommendation of Hildegard Kuse at the September 2024, Taylor County Literacy Council meeting - Joseph A. Greget was nominated by Hildegard and approved by the TCLC for the 2024 HL Kuse Award.
At the group’s annual dinner held at Marilyn’s in Medford on Tuesday, Greget was formally presented with the award.
Upon acceptance of the HL Kuse Award Joseph A. Greget commented: “To be considered for and nominated for the HL Kuse Award by Hildegard Kuse is a significant honor and recognition. Hildegard approached me and indicated she wanted to nominate me for this award and felt strongly that I, and my involvement in our schools and community, played a role in our local history here in Taylor County.
Given Hildegard’s important legacy here in our community and her background, it is humbling to think that Hildegard and the Taylor County Literacy Council both felt that I have helped impact the history of Taylor County and promoted literacy among children and adults. Thank you to Hildegard and the Literacy Council.
Since 2004, I have been the Director of Special Education and Student Services for the Medford Area Public School District and made Medford our home since that time. I have represented the school district by providing membership and/or leadership on multiple organizations and committees over the past 20 years. These opportunities have helped strengthen our school connections in the community, aligned school and community collaborations, supported families, and advocated for children and adolescents.
We have been able to impact education here in Taylor County through the writing of and implementation of grants and donors, school and community organization collaborations, partnerships with individuals, creating new educational programs, creating and documenting events on multiple facebook pages, and providing information and resources at community events all with a shared vision in helping children and families. This educational influence has hopefully impacted our recent history now and in the future here in Taylor County.
Our local children are the reasons we were inspired to create and have Our Village Inclusive Playground, CARES Model for School Based Mental Health Counseling, Medford Adult Diploma Academy, iPads for Autism, Wilson Reading, Family Movie and Book Days like Polar Express, SOAR 18-21 year old program, Little Free Libraries, Walk for Autism Awareness and Acceptance, Expansion of School Mental Health Providers, Employment First Legislation in State of Wisconsin, and creating collaboration through Countywide Councils in Literacy - Mental Health - Transition - Early Childhood - Autism - Special Education - Drug Free Communities, and more.
This is further evidence that our local expression of “it takes a village to help raise a child” is true and it is also true that “it takes a child to help raise a village.”
We all strive to make a difference for our children and families through our school and community programs and initiatives. Whatever involvement that I have had over the past 20 years and in the years to come, it would not be possible without my loving partner in life Misty Galli, our families to be proud of me, Medford Schools Our Special Family of students, families, and staff, Medford Area Public School District, and those community individuals and organizations who help make a difference.”
Hildegard Kuse praised Greget’s achievements since coming to Medford. She noted that while Greget was not initially a historian, he has always been a strong communicator and now he is both a historian and a communicator.
She praised the many projects he works on to improve the lives of people in the community and children. She also noted his skill with being able to get grant funding.
Joseph Greget has taken a leadership role in writing the following grants and/or requests for donations from the following: Federal: Mental Health Awareness Training Grant and Drug Free Communities Grant.
State of Wisconsin: DPI Transition Readiness Grants; DPI Mental Health Grants; DPI Out of School Time Grant; Nita M Lowey CCLC Grants for MAES, SES, and MAMS; Dream Up Partner Child Care; Office of School Safety and Green Bay Packers Foundation.
Local: Weathershield LITE Foundation; Fulcrum Foundation; Aspirus Community Benefit; Lions Club; Medford Morning Rotary Club; Kiwanis of Medford; Nestle; Sierra Pacific; Nicolet National Bank; Taylor Credit Union; Medford Cooperative.
Greget has provided leadership to multiple organizations which provide services and supports in Taylor County including: 2004 to present 2004 to present 2004; Medford Schools Director of Special Education and Student Services Taylor County Early Childhood Council Chairperson; Taylor County Transition Advisory Council Chairperson; Medford Morning Rotary Club Member and President; Taylor County Literacy Council President; Taylor County Autism Support Group President; Taylor County Mental Health Awareness Council; Taylor County Drug Opposition Partners Board President Taylor County Drug Opposition Partners Coalition Chairperson.
Through Greget’s ongoing personal volunteerism and professional work in Medford Schools, committee membership, collaborative partnerships, and council leadership, there have been local educational programs and activities which have impacted our local history here in Taylor County. This has included, but is not limited to: Our Village Inclusive Playground; Medford Adult Diploma Academy - a partnership among Medford Schools and Northcentral Technical College; CARES Model - School Based Mental Health Counseling; CARES Conference; Expansion of School Mental Health Providers; Wilson Reading; Evidenced Based Curriculums like R180 and Vmath; Taylor County Autism Support Group as a Non-Profit; School and Family Engagement (SAFE) activities; Walk Together for Suicide Awareness and Prevention; Free Before and Afterschool Care for MAMS, MAES, and SES families through Nita M. Lowey 5 Year CCLC Grants; Taylor County Week of the Young Child; Family Movie and Book Events like Polar Express; Little Free Libraries in partnership with Chuck Prihoda and TCLC; Child Development Birth to 5 Expos; Night of HOPE (AODA); Bowling Bonanza for Families; Outdoor Learning Spaces and Inclusive Playground areas at MAMS, MAES and SES; Taylor County Cultural Fairs; Family Game Nights; iPads for Autism with Kiwanis; Summer Solstice Party Events; Taylor County Transition Nights; Our Special Family and Friends Picnic and Resource Fairs; Be Kind to Your Mind (Mental Health) Events; Creating, documenting, and updating Facebook pages for Taylor County Literacy Council, Medford Area Public School District Special Education and Services, Medford Adult Diploma Academy, Taylor County Mental Health Council, and Taylor County Early Childhood Council; Little Red Academy for 3-4 year olds with IEPs and their Peer Model Friends and Community Conversation on Employing People with Disabilities and follow-up collaborations in getting Employment First Legislation passed through the state of Wisconsin.
Members of the Taylor County Literacy Council gathered at Marilyn’s in downtown Medord on Tuesday for their annual dinner and the presentation of the HL Kuse Award to Joseph Greget. BRIAN WILSON/THE STAR NEWS
