WEMSA Foundation announces 2025 EMS Scholarship Winners
The Wisconsin EMS Association (WEMSA) Foundation, a 501c3 community charitable foundation, is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025-2026 Academic Year Annual EMS Scholarships! This scholarship program provides a $1,000 scholarship to each recipient to assist with expenses related to their enrollment in an approved EMS training program.
The winners of the 2025-2026 WEMSA Foundation Scholarships are:
Each of these outstanding recipients has demonstrated exceptional commitment to their education and the communities they serve. The winners will be honored at the WEMSA 2026 Conference & Expo held in Green Bay, WI at the Awards Ceremony on February 6th, 2025.
Rhonda Hazen
Educational Program: University of Wisconsin Hospital EMS Training Center – Paramedic Technician Program
EMS Department: Belleville, Exeter, and Montrose Fire and EMS District; Barneveld Area Rescue Service
Rhonda Hazen’s journey into EMS was inspired by the life-saving care her family received over two decades ago. When her children experienced medical emergencies, it was the compassionate and capable response from EMS providers that left a lasting impression. Now an Advanced EMT, Rhonda serves her rural community in Barneveld and the broader region around Belleville, driven by a mission to provide that same level of care to others.
With a commitment to continuing her education, Rhonda is taking the next step in her EMS journey by enrolling in a Paramedic Technician program. Her goal is to gain experience through consistent call volume, either in a hospital emergency department or ambulance service in the Madison area, so she can eventually bring that higher level of care back to underserved rural communities. Rhonda has witnessed firsthand how rare it is for small towns to have access to paramedic-level providers and is passionate about bridging that gap in Wisconsin.
After leaving her full-time law career to fully commit to her paramedic education, Rhonda is balancing part-time legal work with a rigorous training schedule.
Max Johnson
Educational Program: Madison Area Technical College – Emergency Medical Technician Program & Fire Protection Associate's Degree
EMS Departments: Portage Fire Rescue, Mount Horeb Fire Department
Max Johnson has taken impressive initiative toward a career in fire and EMS, even while still in high school. He accelerated his academic path by completing all high school credits by junior year and enrolling in college-level fire service courses. Through Madison College’s NextGen Fire Academy, Max earned certifications in Firefighter I & II and Hazmat Operations, and has also completed Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) training. He’s now pursuing EMT certification and a Fire Protection Associate degree to prepare for a dual role in fire and EMS.
Max is currently a paid-on-call firefighter with Portage Fire Department and actively trains and responds to emergency calls. His personal statement reflects a deep sense of responsibility to give back to his community. Despite some obstacles, Max has remained focused on academic achievement, service, and personal growth, including volunteerism with organizations like Sleep in Heavenly Peace and mission trips abroad.
Jayden Sprague, who mentored Max through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, shared that Max is known for his strong will, follow-through, and leadership among peers. He described Max as someone who “leads by example, inspires others to speak up, and commits fully to what he starts.”
Anthony Mattice
Educational Program: Mayville EMS Training Center – Emergency Medical Technician Program
EMS Department: Mayville EMS
Anthony Mattice’s journey into emergency medical services is rooted in both personal and professional inspiration. Having grown up in a family deeply connected to EMS - his mother a Critical Care Paramedic and his stepmother a former EMT - Anthony developed a strong appreciation for the field early on. His decision to pursue EMT certification was further shaped by personal experiences as a patient, where the calm, capable presence of EMTs left a lasting impact.
Now living in Mayville, Anthony has taken on a new chapter of responsibility and compassion: becoming the guardian and foster parent to his 13-year-old cousin. This unexpected but meaningful role has shifted his priorities and deepened his sense of community service. Balancing parenthood, work, and education, Anthony is pursuing EMT certification to give back in a field that has given so much to him and his family.
Terri Noll, Anthony’s supervisor, describes him as a dedicated, dependable team member with a calm demeanor and strong sense of integrity. She highlights his eagerness to learn, compassion for others, and initiative to pursue training outside of his current profession which are all qualities that align perfectly with the demands of emergency medical services.
Macayla Quinn
Educational Program: Blackhawk Technical College – Paramedic Technician Program
EMS Department: Belleville Area EMS and Fitch-Rona EMS
Macayla Quinn brings over a decade of healthcare experience to her EMS journey, driven by compassion, calm under pressure, and a deep commitment to community care. Macayla’s story in healthcare began at a young age - caring for her grandmother who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. This experience instilled in her the empathy and resilience that now define her work as an Advanced EMT.
Currently employed with Belleville Area EMS and Fitch-Rona EMS, Macayla is also enrolled in the Paramedic Technician program at Blackhawk Technical College. She’s known by her colleagues as an effective communicator and a steady presence in high-stress situations. Her background includes previous work as an Emergency Room Technician at UW Hospitals and as a CPR Instructor and Lab Assistant at Blackhawk, where she helped train the next generation of providers.
Her supervisor, Jeremy O’Connor, describes her as “one of the most compassionate and driven providers” he’s worked with, noting her commitment to continuous learning and the calm, focused care she brings to each call. Another colleague, Charlie Kluge, praised her dedication to growth, her infectious positivity, and her “unmatched” work ethic.
Macayla’s goal is to continue her education beyond the paramedic level and take on new leadership and educational roles in EMS.
Jen St.Clair
Educational Program: Madison Area Technical College – Paramedic Technician Program
EMS Department: Belleville EMS
Jen St.Clair’s path to emergency medicine was anything but traditional - but that’s exactly what makes her journey so inspiring. A homeschooling mother of three, Jen found herself unexpectedly drawn to the EMS field after taking a Wilderness First Aid course in 2023. That single course sparked a domino effect: first aid led to wilderness responder, then to ski patroller, then to EMT, and now to paramedic training.
With every certification, Jen found herself more captivated by both the clinical challenges of EMS and the character of those who serve in it. She writes that she has "never before in [her] life met such humble, courageous, selfless, hard-working, team-focused people.” Now fully committed to joining their ranks, Jen brings both lived experience and deep respect for the profession to her studies.
Jen’s determination, humility, and passion for EMS make her an exceptional candidate - someone who will undoubtedly pay this investment forward in the lives of the patients and communities she serves.
Chloe Demulling
Educational Program: Northwood Technical College – Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Program
For Chloe Demulling, the decision to enter EMS is both courageous and deeply personal. In the spring, she will be pursuing her EMT certification with a long-term goal of becoming an Flight Paramedic.
Chloe is a recent graduate of UW–Stout, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Project Management. She has held multiple professional roles in healthcare operations at Viverant Physical Therapy and Twin Cities Orthopedics.
Her supervisor, Megan Bodeker, describes Chloe as someone who "does everything with 100%,” and praised her empathy, professionalism, and ability to make quick, effective decisions. Megan confidently endorsed Chloe’s future in EMS, calling her “an outstanding candidate who will make a meaningful contribution to the field.”
The WEMSA Foundation Selection Committee reviewed all applications from students enrolled in approved EMS programs across Wisconsin before coming to a decision. This scholarship was made possible as part of a 5-year commitment from the Schoenleber Foundation, Inc. to provide an annual scholarship of $1,000 to students enrolled in approved EMS programs in Wisconsin, and starting this Academic Year, the WEMSA Foundation was able to offer a total of 6 scholarships thanks to a partnership and establishment of the Lake Mills EMS Legacy Scholarship Program.
The WEMSA Foundation appreciates the Schoenleber Foundation and Lake Mills EMS for their donation and annual commitment to make these scholarships possible. We thank every applicant for submitting to this scholarship program and we hope to provide additional scholarship opportunities in the future. We are actively seeking additional donors to expand the number of scholarships we provide on an annual basis.
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The Wisconsin EMS Association Foundation is a 501c3 charitable organization that seeks to address the needs and provide the means to further the education and training of emergency medical services personnel. The foundation also aims to improve the health and well-being of communities through education and awareness of issues involving emergency medicine. To learn more or support our mission, visit www.wemsafoundation.org or contact foundation@wisconsinems.com.