Dana is a Middle School teacher in Waupaca. She is earning her Master of Science in Education at UW-Oshkosh.

Dana states - "From a young age, I have been naturally curious. I remember looking up unfamiliar insects I spotted outside together with my mom. I would constantly try out new words I overheard in conversations or found in a book. And I have always been intrigued by the deeper, philosophical questions of life. As an adult, I find joy in traveling to new places, reading widely, and listening to those whose experiences and wisdom differ from my own. For me, lifelong learning is about embracing the unknown, finding excitement in all that I have yet to discover, and continuously reflecting on what I’ve already learned."

Elyse is a student at Viterbo University and is majoring in Criminal and Community Justice.
 

Elyse states - Life long learning "means learning at any age, and not believing in the stigma of "you can't teach an old dog new tricks." I believe one can learn as long as they have the motivation and attitude to continue learning."

Gracie is a student at UW-Stout, with a dual major in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering.
 

Gracie states - "There will never be a point where there’s nothing left to learn, and if it feels like it then it means you need a new hobby, a new sport, something to occupy your time. Lifelong learning opens your eyes to the world and how little we know in the grand scheme of things."

Sara is a student at Concordia University, majoring in Early Childhood Education.
 

Sara states - "I enjoy learning and I believe we will always be learning until the day we die through our connections and experiences. As an early childhood educator, I am aware of the brain development that happens in the first few years of life. The brain connections made in a young child's experiences set the foundation on which they build on throughout life. If we can impact young children through engaging learning opportunities, we can instill in them a love of learning that they will take with them throughout life. The most influential people in our community are people who are teachable."

Henry is a UW-Madison student majoring in Psychology/Political Science.
 

Henry states - "Learning is about being curious, being able to ask a really good question, knowing what question to ask in the first place, and being able to critically examine the answers you get, comparing them to your previously held beliefs. The topics I will learn about throughout my life will change, but what will not are the skills I have taken away from university and the quest for further understanding I have gained. Lifelong learning is about building a life rooted in curiosity, adaptability, and the pursuit of understanding—qualities I intend to carry with me into whatever future path I take."

Jordan is a student at UW-Madison majoring in Environmental Engineering.
 

Jordan states - "While lifelong learning applies to the experience of higher education, the term lifelong learning extends beyond formal education. It can be as simple as having meaningful conversations with the people around you who may not share the same mindset. I believe knowledge is the key to critical thinking and personal development."