Whiz Kid: Muskego High Student Shines at Badger Boys State Government Exercise

Name: Nick Schmidlkofer
School: Muskego High School
Why Nick is a Whiz Kid: He is a true student-athlete, maintaining a 4.2 GPA with a full Advanced Placement class schedule and participating in varsity football and baseball. He recently participated in Badger Boys State, a statewide mock legislative experience.
More about Nick's Whiz Kid Awesomeness: Nick Schmidlkofer's dad Mike describes him as mature beyond his years and an overachiever. The Muskego High School senior is also known as a natural leader and a good listener, says his mom, Kathy.

It was likely a combination of those attributes that led coaches at Muskego High School to select Nick to represent the school at Badger Boys State last June at Ripon College. According to MHS Counselor Pam Groh, over 800 student representatives are selected from across the state and attend Badger Boys State each year.  They form a mock government representing cities and counties as a 51st state, and for eight days its citizens carry out the main functions of city, county, and state government using the State of Wisconsin’s basic laws and fundamental procedures as their guide.  The program is designed to teach its "citizens" that the strength of American government is stronger than ever.

“He’s not one to be politically motivated, but after they offered this as a leadership conference during baseball season, I told him this is bigger than baseball, and his mom couldn’t believe I said that,” Mike said.

Enrolled in all AP classes with a 4.2 gpa on a 4.0 scale, Nick also excels in sports, playing varsity football and baseball. While at Badger Boys State, Nick was elected an Alderman and also as one of the State Supreme Court Justices. He said his speeches were successful and garnered his peer nods.

“For the general election I had a quote in there by John Wooden, about how a team is vital and how no one person should be above the team, and as a Supreme Court justice you are part of a team and have to deal with other people’s ideas about the law," Nick said.

Speaking in front of 877 students and counselors at the event gave him a new sense of confidence, he said.

“I would say I grew in areas of being more social and being on my own and having to fend for myself,” he said. “Everything was structured, but I still had to meet new people and make friends. So it forced me to get out (of my comfort zone). I was kind of a shy kid before.”

Kathy said Nick wasn’t optimistic he would enjoy the conference. When he gave it a shot and found it to be an ideal experience, Kathy said it showed his interest in learning.

“He’s always wanting to learn more, even in class,” she said. “And his leadership skills are always there. He always listens, doesn’t interrupt the coaches and even takes the time to tutor other students who are having difficulty.”

Nick said of several presentations given by guest lecturers, he most connected with one given by a military veteran.

“He knew how to talk to kids, and he inspired us not to waste our lives drinking or doing drugs,” Nick said. “(Life) should be more about us and our state, and making it better and then taking what we learn, through politics and knowledge, to the public so it can be more informed.”

Nick scored a composite 28 on the ACT test and aspires to be a chiropractor and attend Ripon College, Carthage College, or Winona State University in Minnesota.