MFHS Honors Alumni Who Succeeded, Gave Back

Every day, as students walk through the front doors of , they see the Wall of Recognition, a proud display of plaques honoring alumni who have achieved success both in their professional lives and in giving back to their community.

In a ceremony during halftime of the Dec. 17 boys basketball game, four more alumni were inducted: human resources professional Andrea Dircks-Larsen, banker James Riehle, oral surgeon Terry Riesch and business owner Salvatore M. Zizzo.

Former Principal Dick Woosencraft was inspired to create the Wall of Recognition in 2004 while visiting the high school attended by Hillary Clinton in Park Ridge, Ill., which features a display honoring distinguished alumni.

"Everyone has a hall of fame for athletics, but this Wall of Recognition is alumni who have done extremely well in their careers and are giving back to their community. Our Wall of Recognition both recognizes graduates for their excellent work and impacts and inspires our present students," Woosencraft said.

Principal Gary Kiltz is pleased to continue the practice.

"This is a phenomenal opportunity to honor graduates, and it serves as a source of inspiration and role models for our students to look up to," Kiltz said.

Andrea Dircks-Larsen

As a successful human resources professional at GE Healthcare, Dircks-Larsen uses the "four important values" she learned from Menomonee Falls teachers and staff: "the value of effective coaching, training, advising and listening." 

Dircks-Larsen graduated from Menomonee Falls North High School in 1980 and remembered her English and literature teacher, Dave Petroff, who is now the athletic director at MFHS. She recalled that Petroff "gave good academic and career advice and even helped me get onto the path to the work world."

She gives this advice to high school students: "Look for academic, sports and community balance in school and life. You don't have to have your career path figured out by the time you are 18. Take the time to figure out what you're good at, and don't be afraid to ask for help."

Andrea earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 1984, then started her human resources career at large corporations including Parker Hannifin, Eaton Corp. and, for the past 16 years, GE Healthcare. 

Helping others is important to Dircks-Larsen. As a member of the GE Women's Network, she is a coach and mentor, sponsoring events to promote work and family balance and advancement on professional career tracks. 

Andrea now lives in Brookfield with her husband and two children. 

James Riehle

James Riehle remembered being involved in basketball and baseball in high school, where he learned the important life skills of teamwork, responsibility and showing up on time. 

Riehle graduated from North in 1975, and from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, where he played college basketball, in 1979.  After college, he started working as a cost accountant/financial analyst for Pabst Brewing Co., then started his banking career at Marine Bank in Milwaukee in 1985.  He lived in Menomonee Falls until 1995, when he moved to West Bend to work as senior vice president at National Exchange Bank and Trust. 

He is now very active with community activities in West Bend, he said, and enjoys being on the board of the Cedar Community retirement home.

"It is rewarding to see what a great job they do with improving the lives of seniors," Riehle said. 

Riehle, his wife and three daughters all donate time to many charitable causes.

"It's important to me that we give back to the less fortunate, because I grew up in a single parent household, and other people helped us out," he said.

Terry Riesch

After graduating from North in 1982, Terry Riesch received his degree in dental surgery from Marquette University in 1987, graduating with honors. He now has an office in Menomonee Falls offering oral and maxillofacial surgical services, such as wisdom tooth removal.

Riesch donates his services to several charitable work organizations including the Outreach Clinic at .

"Ninety percent of the patients at the Outreach Clinic require oral surgery, but they cannot afford it," he said.  "I am happy to be able to help."

Riesch lives in Germantown with his family, and they donate to both the Menomonee Falls High School scholarship fund and the Germantown High School scholarship fund. 

Salvatore M. Zizzo

Salvatore M. Zizzo, who likes to be known as Sal, graduated from Menomonee Falls East High School in 1972.  He went on to graduate with an associate's degree in marketing and business administration from Waukesha County Technical Institute (now Waukesha County Technical College).

After starting his career as a grocery store merchandiser for territories in Wisconsin and Illinois for Roundy's Inc., he was promoted to a supervisory position. In 1985, he purchased the and worked to develop it into a thriving business.

 "Menomonee Falls is a wonderful place," he said. "People are very supportive of local businesses, and they value quality and service."

Zizzo serves as president of the Menomonee Falls Community Chamber, where he leads the board of directors to "follow the mission, vision and budget as a business association for business people in Menomonee Falls helping each other."