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Joseph Saiz

Biography

Highlights of Young Scholar Experience: Joseph “Joey” Saiz seems to have always been mature beyond his years, his advisers say.  He realizes that there is a service component associated to being a Young Scholar ...and to normal everyday life.  He takes that responsibility seriously.  During his years associated with the Foundation Joey didn’t miss an opportunity to participate in programs to expand his mind and soul.  He was most at home one summer in the Dominican Republic during a Foundation-supported mission to work with the poor in a community there.  His Young Scholar status also took him over the years to study and service programs in San Diego, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, DC and Oklahoma City. 

Profile: Joey is from the city of Onalaska, on the western edge of Wisconsin, a stone’s throw from the Minnesota state line.  He is an intelligent, well-liked leader who exudes confidence.  During the near-doomed Apollo 13 space flight more than twenty years before Joey was born, the NASA mission controller told his team “failure is not an option.”  That famous quote could be Joey’s mantra as he approaches every one of his missions – be it a calculus exam, as a dedicated Sunday School teacher or in an archery competition.  But what he was most proud of during his time at Onalaska High was his involvement in the “Link Crew” program where Joey taught a class of incoming freshmen in an effort to help them transition and succeed in high school. Although Joey has his sights set on becoming an engineer, perhaps with the success he experienced through “Link Crew”, teaching may well be in his future. 

Inspiration: Joey’s father had the greatest influence on him. “He never graduated from college but he has more street smarts than any person I have ever met,” said Joey. “My dad has been extremely supportive of any endeavor I choose to take on and he wants me to accomplish my goals and dreams.”  

Aspiration: Current plans are to major in engineering in college, then on to the business world. 

Making a Difference: Bullying is a terrible, dangerous problem at almost every school in America.  During his time tutoring freshman at his high school Joey recognized a serious bullying situation developing.  By dealing with it on a one-on-one basis he was able to end the bullying and was able to “get through” to the instigators.  

Accolades: During his senior year at Onalaska High, Joey was chosen to represent the school at a regional chemistry competition.  He was also a regular on the high school honor roll and received Silver and Bronze Medals in National Spanish examinations.  He won a number of regional and state archery competitions as well. 

Interesting Fact: Other than having terrific grades, his resume of extracurricular activities in high school was almost a complete blank until senior year.  But as a senior, his world changed.  He began to take ownership of several organizations. “The achievement I am most proud of is maturing into a full person who has a stake in all of my activities instead of just watching from the sidelines.”

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