Honor’s student Megan Salentine (‘26), an Elementary Education major and English Language Arts minor, received the SNC Founder’s Award and was recently crowned the Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs. This incredible award and title, along with her involvement on and off campus, have exemplified how Salentine applies the ideals of St. Norbert College’s Honors Program to her everyday life.
On campus, Salentine is involved in several clubs, such as fundraising for “Knights Unite: Sting Cancer,” she’s the Family Relations Coordinator with Dance Marathon, a member of Chiara Catholic Women’s Group, Omicron Delta Kappa Service and Leadership Honors Society, a Tour Guide and Admissions Student Representative, 2nd-grade Catechist at the Parish, and an FYE Mentor. Off-campus, she is a babysitter, teaches daycare over the summer, and has been crowned the Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs. After graduation, Salentine plans to teach in a lower elementary school classroom, teaching first through fourth graders in a Catholic school so that she can share her passion for faith.
As an FYE mentor, Salentine moved back to campus early in the fall for training, scheduling, and preparation for the arrival of the incoming first-year students. When the students moved in, Salentine met with her mentees and led them through a Week of Welcome filled with activities, breakout sessions, and meetings to prepare the students for their time at St. Norbert College. Throughout the semester, meetings with her mentees continued weekly before transitioning to one-on-one meetings. During her own first year, Salentine met with her Torch Leaders, a separate program for mentoring Honors students. These students modeled what a mentor could be and inspired her, along with her study and academic habits, to become an FYE mentor.
Salentine was also awarded the Founder’s Award earlier last semester. This award is given to someone who demonstrates the Norbertine commitment to communio: service, peace and reconciliation, prayer and reflection, and radical hospitality. This prestigious award was given to 2 faculty members and 2 students this year. When asked what receiving this award means to Salentine, she responded: “I was so blessed. I love SNC with all my heart, and being recognized for things that I do every day is so special.” In order to be selected for this award, one must be nominated and reviewed by a committee. Through the Honors Program, Salentine established a group of people who she enjoys being around, which helped her forge the path to receiving this extremely meaningful award.
Before being crowned as the 2025 Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs, she was the 2024 Kewaunee County Fairest. Within this role, she promoted her county fair and the importance of agriculture. While holding this position, alongside all 33 other county fairests, she attended the Wisconsin Association of Fairs Convention to compete for the Fairest of the Fairs title. After 4 days of competition, which entailed interviews and on-stage questions, she was selected as the Fairest. Her influential role comes with many responsibilities, serving as the official ambassador for the Wisconsin State Fair. The position serves all of Wisconsin and county fairs within the state, which means she will travel to all of the county fairs and attend all 11 days of the Wisconsin State Fair. While serving her year-long term, she will be posting on the Fairest of the Fairs social media page, keeping the state and her followers informed on the State Fair. Be sure to keep up with her term on Facebook and Instagram @wifairestofthefairs.
Overall, the St. Norbert Honors Program has gifted her “a lot of friends that have been very supportive” throughout her journey at SNC. It has also introduced her to “the best people from Bergstrom that I will ever meet.” In addition to friends, the Honors Program has helped her create a firm foundation of good study habits along with a good balance between school and life. When asked if she had any advice for younger students, she said, “Get involved and call your mom. Be grateful; these 4 years will go very fast. Looking back, you won’t think about the tests, but you will remember the memories you made. You only get college once.”
