Position/WIS association: Parent (Class of 2039) and Director of the WIS Annual Fund
To the Editor,
As a parent of a preschooler, I think a lot about the kind of experience I want my child to have at WIS. I want him to be challenged, supported, and surrounded by people who inspire him. As someone who works in the Advancement Office, I see every day how philanthropy helps make that possible—not just for my child, but for every student.
I know families at WIS make a big financial commitment to their children’s education. It’s natural to wonder why giving is still part of the picture. The reality is, tuition covers a lot, but not everything. Giving ensures WIS can go beyond just providing a great education. It strengthens financial aid, expands academic programs, supports teachers, and improves the learning environment in ways tuition alone can’t.
Now, you might think, “Sure, but you’re a WIS fundraiser. Of course you’d say that.” Fair enough. But I see firsthand how giving affects our school beyond just numbers. When a teacher revitalizes a classroom with fresh ideas from a professional development conference, when a student explores new passions in theater or robotics, or when we get to officially open the doors of Le Centre Brown—these are the moments philanthropy creates.
It’s also what allows WIS to remain accessible to a broader range of families. I’ve spoken with parents who never thought they’d be able to send their child to a school like this, but thanks to financial aid, they could. And I’ve met students whose experiences here were shaped by the generosity of people they’ll never meet – people who believed in this school enough to give back.
But for me, philanthropy isn’t just about budgets and programs. It’s about believing in this school and what it stands for. It’s about making sure our students get an education that challenges them to think beyond themselves and prepares them for a world that needs them.
Supporting WIS isn’t about giving because we have to. It’s about giving because we want to help this school continue to be the best it can be. And when we all pitch in, we make WIS even stronger for today’s students and for those who will follow.
WIS thrives because of the people who believe in it. That’s something I’m grateful for every day.
Walker Konkle