Fail or rise up in life’s journey, either way, do it gloriously

By Ginna Young

It was a homecoming May 8, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, for the annual Cadott Lions Club honors banquet, where students achieving high marks in school are feted. The reason for the homecoming, was the return of Brooke Stelzer, 1997 graduate of Cadott High School, who acted as speaker for the event.

After graduation Stelzer majored in broadcast journalism at Arizona State, receiving a bachelor’s of arts from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication in 2001. Her first job out of college, was with KSAZ Fox 10 News in Phoenix, Ariz.

She then went on to work at ESPN in Bristal, Conn., which involved her packing up and driving across the country by herself, on a “chance” job. She then moved to Chicago, Ill., working briefly in sports production with Harpo Productions, Oprah Winfrey’s company, for three years.

That was only the beginning, as she moved to New York in 2012, and launched Katie Couric’s daytime talk show as a supervising producer. Stelzer could have stayed where she was each time, but instead, chose to take a risk and even if she fell flat on her face, it was an important part of becoming who she is today.

“There is no losing in that,” said Stelzer. “Get excited to say yes, because there’s so much more to come.”

Stelzer wasn’t finished there, as she went to NBC News as a write/producer and the last six years, has served as senior vice president at Ketchum, a communications consultant, living in Nashville, Tenn.

Though she’s ventured far, Stelzer loves coming home, and credits her community for giving her the “grit and gumption” to succeed.

“You will find your path, by working harder and being more focused than we had to be,” said Stelzer to the students, adding that even if they’re scared, they should go for it. “You have permission to fail gloriously.”

[caption id="attachment_237138" align="alignnone" width="300"] Receiving honors, a flower and a gift bag for the senior class of boys, left to right, in front, are Nick Goettl, Braden Denzine, Henry Danielson and Ayden Wilkie. In the middle, are Sage Handrick, Connor Roth, Adam Evanson and Nolan Nordrum. In back, are Alex Jackson, Brodee Burish, Easton Goodman and Wyatt Engel. Photo by Ginna Young[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="366"] Receiving honors for the freshman class, left to right, in front, are Max Demulling, Klayton Handrick, Rose Hager and Ava Eiler. In back, are Gabriel Dohms, Brener Rodriguez, Jon Phelps and Owen Fasbender. Photo by Ginna Young[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="368"] Receiving honors for the junior class, left to right, in front, are Lily Wahl, Kiera Urbank, Abigail Goettl, Adrianna Goodman and Mia Lorenzo. In the middle, are Brooklyn Hrdlicka, Rilei Weeks, Tarynn Donahue, McKenna Steinke and Brooklyn Blodgett. In back, are Parker Davis, Ewan Weir, Jackson Barone and Warren Bowe. Photo by Ginna Young[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="368"] Receiving honors, a flower and a gift bag for the senior class of girls, left to right, in front, are Makenna Harel, Jaycee Stephens, Imara Mackie and Emma Enestvedt. In the middle, are Aubree Foldy, Bella Barone, Jayden Winchell and Ziranda Mason. In back, are Emma Kowalczyk, Shannon Burlum, Kendall Webster, Alex Gindt, Bradee Burish and Caitlyn Jackson. Missing, is Kassandra Moran. Photo by Ginna Young[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="368"] Receiving honors for the sophomore class of boys, left to right, in front, are Carter Matherne, Michael Wellner, Logan LaNou and Monte Lodahl. In back, are Collin Kowalczyk, Gavin Roscoe and Mitchell Reineke. Photo by Ginna Young[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="368"] Receiving honors for the sophomore class of girls, left to right, in front, are Karlee Davis, Abi Bowe, Josie Roth and Olive LaRose. In the second row, are Alexis Bremness, Taylor Hager, Taliann Donahue and Clara Blanchette. In the third row, are Abigail Blodgett, Alexa Gindt, Lilly Spaeth and Kennedy Nerdrum. In back, are Myka McCullough, Haley Mathison, Danielle Sikora and Hallie Schmitt. Photo by Ginna Young[/caption]