Four scholarships will be given out during the WBA Student Forum at Lambeau Field on Feb. 28 to students studying broadcasting in Wisconsin. Learn more about the WBA Student Scholarship program and apply here.
The recipients are:
Lexi Hull
Lexi Hull is the 2025 WBA Foundation Scholarship recipient.
Hull is attending UW-Stevens Point and majoring in Media Studies and Arts Management. She’s planning to graduate in May 2027.
Her career goal is to be a producer and to help people bring their creative visions to life. She wants to create with others and give a voice to everyone through media. She has a particular interest in being a sound recorder and manager.
Hull is heavily involved on the UW-Stevens Point campus, working at the campus radio station and Pointer Studios. At Pointer Studios she worked her way up to the position of general manager and was instrumental in the creation of the Pointer Studios Telethon. She also does freelance videography and editing and produces social media content for campus dining and housing.
She’s also an honors student and has received numerous academic awards.
Hull is described as dedicated, thorough, thoughtful, and destined for professional success.
Makenna Thompson
Makenna Thompson is the 2025 Morgan Murphy Media Scholarship recipient.
Thompson is attending UW-Oshkosh and majoring in Radio/TV/Film. She’s planning to graduate in spring 2026.
Her career goal is to be part of a team dedicated to putting out the best sports broadcasts.
Thompson is Sports Director for the UW-Oshkosh campus TV station, Titan TV, and hosted programs on the campus radio station, WRST-FM. At Titan TV she’s also served as an executive producer and trainer for new students. She’s also been involved with the campus football team, including filming practices and games and producing content for the team’s social media accounts. She’s interned with the Green Bay Rockers baseball team, working on the gameday production crew and operating cameras. She recently joined the Green Bay Packers Tundra Vision crew, assisting on-field camera operations.
Thompson is described as organized, outgoing, and a natural problem solver, approaching tasks with enthusiasm, efficiency, and a positive attitude.
Annelise Dahnke
Annelise Dahnke is the 2025 David L. Nelson Scholarship recipient.
Dahnke is attending UW-Oshkosh and majoring in Radio/TV/Film. She’s planning to graduate in spring 2027.
Her career goal is to become a producer of big-time television, working on high profile sitcoms or narrative shows. She hopes to begin her career in news to build experience producing live content and practicing ethical journalism.
Dahnke has experience working with Titan TV studios on the UW-Oshkosh campus, working in various roles on different TV programs and on newscasts, including camera operator, assistant directing, and producing. She said she’s drawn to producing because she loves planning, collaboration, and contributing to every creative stage. She’s also head of public relations for the Titan Film Society and Co-Vice President of the Oshkosh Film Forum.
Dahnke is described as having a strong work ethic, creative vision, and impressive leadership abilities. She’s committed to a career producing content for broadcasting.
Kayla Dembiec
Kayla Dembiec is the 2025 Howard Gernetzke Scholarship recipient.
Dembiec is attending UW-Madison and majoring in Journalism. She is planning to graduate in spring 2027.
Her career goal is to become a reporter who uses her digital skills to make trustworthy journalism more engaging and relevant for today’s audiences.
On campus, Dembiec is involved with student radio station WSUM where she was the Talk Director and a talk show host. She’s also worked for The Daily Cardinal and is a member of the American Meteorological Society.
She’s served as a news intern at WISC-TV in Madison covering the Badger Beat, where she dramatically increased the station’s social media followers and pageviews covering issues important to the student body and alumni.
Dembiec is described as inquisitive, collaborative, humble, and insightful. An adviser wrote, “Her commitment to storytelling will be the single biggest quality distinguishing her career going forward.”
