State association honors Mathes

December 15, 2016

The Brillion News

HILBERT – The Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association (WADA) and the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) honored Laurie Mathes, of rural Hilbert, for her long-time support of school sports and activities.

Hilbert High School Assistant Principal Stan Diedrich surprised Mathes with an award plaque at a high school basketball game where she was shooting game photos.

Mathes was called to center court where Diedrich presented her with the Wisconsin Athletic Service Award.

Diedrich said the WADA asks school districts to nominate community members who have had a significant, positive impact on school sports.

“Right away Laurie came to mind for me,” Diedrich said. “There are a lot of people here [in Hilbert] who do a lot of things, but Laurie is at everything and takes pictures and the kids appreciate everything she does.”

The nomination was made last spring. When Diedrich attended the annual WADA conference in November, he was notified that WADA had selected Mathes as one of its 2016 honorees.

Diedrich, school secretary Jody Kalkofen and Laurie’s husband, Brian, kept the secret well and Laurie Mathes had no clue when the award was announced and presented in the crowded gym last week.

Laurie has turned her love for photography into a passion, documenting school and community activities in and around Hilbert. She also works at Superior Floor Covering in Brillion.

She and Brian have a son, Jason, who is a student at UW-Green Bay. Their daughter, Michelle, died in a traffic accident in 2002.

Laurie gives every young person the same consideration she would give a child of her own, and for many young people, she is a second mom.

Editor’s note: Laurie Mathes regularly contributes professional quality photos of Hilbert events to The Brillion News. This article was featured in the December 15, 2016 edition of The Brillion News.