Oconto students hear story of redemption at mental health fair

OCONTO – Oconto High School recently welcomed speaker Kyle Quilausing, once known as Hawaii’s Most Wanted, as part of its ongoing commitment to student mental health and wellness. His visit, along with the school’s second annual Mental Health Fair, proved to be a powerful and successful experience for students and the community.

Quilausing shared a message centered on personal responsibility and hope, reminding students, “You are one choice away from a different life.”

Once a six-time golf champion, world-ranked youth athlete and rising star who competed alongside Tiger Woods, Quilausing went from a full-ride golf scholarship recipient to becoming Hawaii’s Most Wanted.

At just 98 pounds, addicted to methamphetamine and incarcerated for nearly a decade, he hit rock bottom. It was there — in a prison cell — that he made the decision to change his life.

But Quilausing did more than deliver an assembly speech.

Mental Health Navigator Hilary Trepanier, who helped bring him to Oconto High School, said, “He was not sitting around between presentations. He was offering to help me set up the Mental Health Fair. As soon as he heard students nearby in the weight room, he said, ‘Take me there.’ He was chatting up students the entire time he was here.”

Quilausing spent time connecting personally with students — in the weight room, the gym and study hall — making his message both relatable and impactful.

Trepanier secured Opioid Settlement Funds to bring Quilausing to Oconto High School for three student presentations, one free community presentation and additional presentations throughout the county, including Oconto Falls, Suring (where Gillett students also attended) and Lena. Quilausing spent the entire week in Northeast Wisconsin building authentic connections with youth across the area.

The momentum continued with the high school’s Mental Health Fair, which was also a tremendous success. This year’s favorite booth was “Hugs from a Grandma.”

Trepanier enlisted five local grandmothers to offer hugs and positive affirmations to students. While participation was optional, students who wanted the sticker for their bingo card — and a chance to win prizes — happily lined up for a hug.

Trepanier said, “From conversations with students throughout the year and reflections on last year’s event, it became clear that many kids crave the simple comfort of an adult’s presence. I knew we had to include hugs this year — and who better to give them than a fun grandma?”

The booth quickly became one of the highlights of the day.

The Mental Health Fair focuses on six key areas of wellness: managing stress, mindful consumption, staying active, quality sleep, social connection and finding meaning and purpose.

“It’s not your typical vendor-style fair that hands out brochures,” Trepanier said.

“It’s really about hands-on activities that equip students with tools to support their own mental wellness. We want students to walk away knowing there are practical, everyday strategies they can use — whether that’s volunteering, staying active, creating art, connecting with others or being mindful of what they put into their bodies. These are real, accessible ways to strengthen mental health.”

Students engaged in meaningful activities such as making tie blankets for Project Linus, creating cards for senior citizens and veterans, visiting therapy dogs, participating in art activities and learning practical ways to care for their mental and physical well-being.

A special guest this year was Brutus the Therapy Pig, who traveled to attend the Mental Health Fair. Students absolutely loved meeting him, and he quickly became another crowd favorite.

The popular “Pups and Popsicles” booth — complete with therapy dogs and popsicles — was also a huge hit.

The event would not have been possible without the strong support of local agencies, organizations and community members who hosted booths and contributed resources.

Special thanks go out to Oconto Booster Club, The Bond Foundation, LeTourneau Plastics, Inc., John Panetti and Team Industries, Oconto High School NHS and Hope Squad for their generous support. Additional thanks to Thompson’s County Market for supplying the popsicles for the Pups and Popsicles booth.

Through powerful storytelling, meaningful partnerships and hands-on engagement, Oconto High School continues to prioritize student mental health — reminding students that they are supported, connected and always just one choice away from a different life.