Viking Christian Leaders: Love
Congratulations to Faith Balza (‘27) and Stone Smith (‘26) who were selected as Viking Christian Leaders for the month of August under “The Wisco Way Word": Love. We thank God for the way Faith and Stone have modeled servant leadership at school and in the community. Any student or staff member may nominate a student for the Viking Christian Leaders Award which is presented each month to one young man and one young woman.
Faith is from Waukesha, Wisconsin. She attended grade school at Star of Bethlehem Lutheran in New Berlin, where she is also a member.
Faith was nominated for the Viking Christian Leader award for her servant heart and compassion. She shows leadership skills in WWW, Wisco Kids, the theatre department, and the classroom.
Currently a junior at Wisco, Faith has participated in softball, Wisco Kids, A Cappella Choir, the fall play, the spring musical, Hope Squad, Student Council, NHS, WWW, and VCLA.
Faith has served as a junior staff member at Camp Phillip over the summer and taught Sunday School at Star of Bethlehem.
In her spare time, Faith loves spending time with family and friends, singing, dancing, traveling, and crocheting.
After graduation from Wisconsin Lutheran High School, Faith plans to attend college for a degree in education, with the goal of becoming a grade school teacher.
Faith characterizes love in Christian leadership as taking the time to really listen to someone, being there in the good times as well as the bad, being patient with others, and taking their words and actions in the kindest possible way.
Stone is from Oak Creek, Wisconsin. He is a member at Grace Downtown, and he attended grade school at Zion in South Milwaukee.
Stone was nominated for the Viking Christian Leader award for his leadership on the cross country team, showing kindness, encouragement, and genuine care for everyone he meets.
Currently a senior at Wisco, Stone has participated in cross country, track & field, Clay Breakers, choir, band, WWW, VCLA, NHS, and Canoe Club.
Stone has participated at his church by landscaping and serving as an usher.
In his spare time, Stone enjoys running, spending time with loved ones, playing basketball, camping, and woodworking.
After graduation from Wisconsin Lutheran High School, Stone is planning to attend Martin Luther College, where he hopes to major in education.
Stone characterizes love in Christian leadership as serving others with a Christ-like mindset by putting others' will above my own and caring about people and their needs, through simple things like giving a smile in the hallway, helping with homework, or holding the door for that long line of people that never seems to end. Leading by love is being patient and always willing to forgive no matter the circumstances.
