Congratulations Colton VanErt, 2026 Scholarship Award Recipient

We were honored to receive a number of applications for the 2026 KMTMF Scholarship, each representing remarkable students with bright futures ahead. After careful consideration, The Foundation is proud to announce that Colton Van Ert was selected as the 2026 Kaytlyn Madison Thomas Memorial Foundation scholarship recipient.

We are deeply grateful for the generosity and support from our donors. Because of your support, we are able to continue offering this scholarship annually and keep Kaytlyn’s memory alive by investing in the future of others. Thank you.   Ron and Janelle Thomas were able to recognize Colton as the Scholarship recipient Wednesday, May 13th at Senior Recognition Night. Congratulations, Colton! We are excited to see all that lies ahead for you at UW Eau Claire.

Starting in 2025 we began asking applicants to explain what they would do to end wrong way driving in the area. Here is some of Colton's thoughtful response:

My first thought was to put up more signage, especially around overpasses that lead to potentially fatal wrong-way turns. This seemed the obvious answer, because if I saw a sign saying wrong way or one way, I wouldn’t go down a road. Still, I need to think from the perspective of someone who is driving distractedly or drunkenly, because especially in Mosinee the overpasses work relatively the same way. You need to notice the sign to listen to it.

Instead, I would like to introduce a more sensory approach. In order to jolt a distracted/drunk driver from their stupor into alertness, I would like to introduce a set of two speed bumps into each off-ramp in the area. The first option, the more safe option, is the simple speed bump. Serving to maintain both speed of incoming drivers on the off ramp and a physical sensation to jolt wrong-way drivers before they make it onto the main road. Speed bumps, combined with painted arrows, would communicate to drivers urgency and safety on crucial points of passage. 

On the other hand, oneway speedbumps, or anti-backup speed bumps, would solve the problem of one-way roads effectively. They incorporate a retractable spike into the mechanism, adding to the physical jolt a mechanical stop to the wheels of an unsafe driver. Still, there are some problems to the anti-backup speed bump. They use springs or other weight mechanisms to retract the spikes. They must be on a 90 degree surface as to provide the most space for the springs to retract. If a driver goes over them too fast from the “right way”, or ice and other natural conditions clog the spikes, damage could be induced on tires that could be liable by the state. With this in mind, I would predict much more research and testing would be needed before a mechanized stopping bump would be approved.

With either option, occasional painting of the road and of the speed bump would be advised. Creating a sustainable and effective solution that saves lives without creating more problems is difficult, but it’s worth the price.