Our Vision
To empower every deserving student in the Milwaukee area with the opportunity to excel academically and achieve their fullest potential, creating a ripple effect of success and positive impact in their communities and beyond.
Our Mission
The Horizon Caddie Scholarship Program unlocks education opportunities for talented, Milwaukee-area students from financially challenged families by providing tuition assistance at a private secondary school with a college-prep curriculum. We seek to make a life-changing difference for our Scholars by positioning them for lifelong achievement.
A strong education with caddie experience provides
a foundation for lifelong success
History
The Horizon Caddie Scholarship Program was founded in 2018 by Horizon Partners, Ltd. to enrich the lives of the city’s youth by combining an outstanding private school education with summer jobs as caddies at a local golf club. The objectives of this summer job are to develop a strong work ethic, make money, and grow personally by interacting with golfers/adults with successful careers.
The goal is to position the recipients to be eligible for an Evans Scholarship (www.wgaesf.org), a full tuition and housing college scholarship that can be applied at leading universities nationwide. To assist in this process, Horizon Scholars are assigned an Evans Scholar Alum who will guide them over their four years in the program.
To date, thirteen Horizon Caddie scholarships have been awarded. The first four Scholars were awarded Evans Scholarships; the other nine are currently attending Marquette University High School and caddie at Blue Mound Golf & Country Club. The Program is seeking to add other college prep Partnership Schools in the Milwaukee area.
The Program’s goal is to have 20 Scholars in the program by 2030 with both young men and women. Longer term, the objective is 30 Scholars.
Selection Criteria
Eighth grade students who meet the following criteria:
- Strong academic performance in grade school
- Desire to attend college and pursue challenging high school courses
- Exemplary record of school attendance
- Exceptional character and leadership skills
- Definite financial need for high school tuition assistance
- U.S. citizens who live in the Greater Milwaukee area
- Willingness to commit to a summer job as a caddie at a golf club
Partnership School
Marquette University High School
A private, all-boy Jesuit college prep school in Milwaukee dedicated to faith, scholarship, and community. In addition to academic excellence, the school is noted for its strong debate, science, robotics, and athletic teams.
I am so grateful for the Horizon Scholars Program. It has helped Marquette University High School provide an outstanding educational experience to well deserving young men who otherwise might not have been able to attend. The Horizon Scholars will no doubt achieve great things in their lives.
Fr. Michael J. Marco, S.J.
President, Marquette University High School
Partnership School
Divine Savior Holy Angels High School
A college-prep, all-girls high school in Milwaukee committed to educating the whole person – academically, spiritually, and socially – by effectively integrating college-preparatory curriculum, student life, and school community.
The Horizon Caddie Scholars Program has opened doors for our students that extend far beyond the golf course. It has given young women the chance to grow in confidence, develop leadership skills, and earn meaningful scholarship support. Watching them step into these opportunities—and seeing how our mission is lived out through their hard work and character—has been incredibly inspiring.
Katie Konieczny, DSHA
President of DSHA
Process
- Students interested in being considered as a potential Scholar must first apply to a Partnership School as part of its normal admissions process. Students and/or parents should notify the School’s Director of Admissions that the student would like to be considered for a Horizon Caddie Scholarship.
- After review of all applicants, the Program will decide whether or not to invite the parent(s) and applicant to an in-person interview. Prior to such interview, a lengthy application with recommendation letters and grade school report cards needs to be submitted.
- Decisions on the award of scholarships are made by March 31st.
success stories
The Horizon Scholarship has been a true blessing for my son and me—relieving financial stress and opening life-changing opportunities. Through caddying, he gained more than a job: he learned responsibility, confidence, and built meaningful relationships with mentors and golfers who cared about his future. The experience taught him integrity, perseverance, and maturity.
His mentor was incredibly supportive, and we’re deeply thankful to Horizon’s Trustees for creating this transformative program. As a single parent, I often feel alone, but this scholarship made us feel seen and supported.
It ultimately led to my son becoming an Evan Scholar at Notre Dame and showed him that hard work opens doors—and that people genuinely want to help you succeed.
Darby Koehne, Mother of Bob Koehne, Horizon Caddie Scholar and Evans Scholar at Notre Dame University.
I am honored to be the first-ever recipient of the Horizon Scholarship, a distinction that has been pivotal in shaping my path toward success. This scholarship enabled me to attend Marquette University High School, a world-class institution that introduced me to a network previously beyond my reach. It was instrumental in helping me receive an Evans Scholarship to pursue a four-year education at the University of Wisconsin.
Jonathan X. Gary (HS ’21)
The Horizon Scholarship played an instrumental role in my growth as a student and young man in my community. My success at Marquette High School would not have been possible without the support of my Evans Alumnus Mentor, Brandon, and the entire Horizon Scholarship program.
Luke Novotny (HS ‘ 23)
I would not be where I am today without the Horizon Scholarship. This scholarship gave me the opportunity to attend Marquette University High School and the support network to excel there, always pushing me to grow academically and as a person. The mentor program was invaluable, guiding me through my high school years and successfully preparing me for the Evans Scholarship. The Horizon Scholarship also introduced me to caddying, which has changed my life drastically, helping me make connections and meet some of my closest friends.