In a continuing tradition of honoring D.C. Everest graduates who have excelled in their professions or in the community in which they live, it is the privilege of the D.C. Everest Alumni Association to present this year’s Distinguished Alumni Awards. The 2010 Distinguished Alumni recipients are Kris Gilmore and Phil Schoenborn.

Dr. Kristine Gilmore graduated from D.C. Everest High School in 1986 and earned a bachelor’s in education from UW-LaCrosse. Her master’s and doctorate in Educational Administration were attained at Edgewood College. Kristine began her career at CESA 3 and returned to D.C. Everest as assistant principal at the junior high from 1997-2000. She then served as Evergreen Elementary and middle school principal and was named the district’s Superintendent of Schools in 2003. She is currently a board member for the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators and an Adjunct Professor for Edgewood College Doctoral Program.

Known throughout her career as an advocate for students and their educational program, Kristine works collaboratively with administration, teachers, and community to improve student learning. She continually strives to involve parents and the community to achieve district goals, promoting goodwill, understanding and acceptance of the district’s programs, positions and needs. Kristine is known for her open-door policy and for listening and responding to opinions and views of the community members. Passionate about making this a great community, she has been a board member for D.C. Everest Education Foundation, St. Clare’s Hospital, United Way, YMCA, Junior Achievement, Chamber, and Northcentral Technical College.

Kristine is proud to be an Evergreen along with her husband, Jim, and three children. She is grateful for the incredible opportunity to serve this district and community.

Dr. Phil Schoenborn graduated from D.C. Everest in 1967. He lettered in football and wrestling. He went on to earn an undergraduate degree in 1973 from UW-La Crosse in Biology. Phil graduated as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota in 1979. He practiced for a number of years in both Wisconsin and Minnesota before opening Bay View Veterinary Clinic in 1996 in Mukwonago, WI. With his own business, Phil is able to support various local sports teams and other charities. His clinic sponsors an annual animal-related fundraiser to provide money for local animal rescues and Humane Societies. He is an active member in numerous state and national professional veterinary organizations.

Phil is a member and the Wisconsin Representative of the Christian Veterinary Mission. Their mission is to assist people in third world countries to raise healthier animals so those individuals will have more available resources for food and schooling for their families. Through CVM he has traveled to Haiti, Honduras, Ghana and the Dominican Republic giving farmers the knowledge and skills to care for their animals. CMV has also given him the opportunity to assist in training sessions with veterinarians in other countries to learn practical skills used to help them have better careers.

Phil is proud to be a DCE graduate. One lesson he learned while a student was to never give up. Since he was not a natural athlete, he had to work hard to be successful in sports. His teachers and coaches taught him the value and benefit of perseverance. They believed in him when he doubted himself and they taught him to reach for the stars and never give up. This attitude has served him well, first in sports, then in his studies and career as a veterinarian.

Phil and his wife, Kathy (Stone DCE 1969), have two grown sons and two grandsons and reside in Mukwonago, Wisconsin.