Alumni Spotlight - Leslie Kirchhoff

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Mar 3 2017 2:06 PM

Brookfield Central Class of 2009
Leslie Kirchhoff is a former Lancer whose career as a photographer and disc jockey (DJ) has been getting a great deal of exposure.

Brookfield Central Class of 2009

Leslie Kirchhoff is a former Lancer whose career as a photographer and disc jockey (DJ) has been getting a great deal of exposure.

Kirchhoff began her Elmbrook journey at Dixon Elementary before moving on to Wisconsin Hills and Brookfield Central. During her time as a Lancer, she was involved in a number of school activities including yearbook, photo club, track and field, cross country, art club, and chess club; and it was during this time that she discovered her artistic passion. "I am so appreciative of the many great opportunities afforded to me in Elmbrook. My yearbook and photo classes contributed greatly the success I have had in my career. Mr. Tom Juran was such an important teacher and mentor in my life, I can't thank him enough for everything he did to nurture my creativity. Even in elementary school at Dixon, the staff did a lot to help me find my talents and help me grow."

Following her 2009 graduation, Kirchhoff continued her education at New York University in the Gallatin School of Individualized Study and focused on photography, media, film, fashion, and journalism. It was here that she got her first internship, at Vogue.com, in the spring of her sophomore year. "I started shooting for them a few months later and quickly became one of their go-to photographers for the website, shooting everything from parties to runway shows to portraits and more," stated Kirchhoff.

Leslie continued working for Vogue.com as a freelancer and travelled to Paris to study abroad, where she learned to DJ. After finishing her degree, Kirchoff made the decision to make a career of her freelance photography and disc jockeying. Today, Leslie is living in Brooklyn and has an extensive portfolio of work, including shoots with Aubrey Plaza and Pharrell Williams – to name a few. She shoots for a number of different high-profile photo and publication clients, and loves the opportunity to travel for work. In her free time, Leslie is developing a new product, Disco Cubes, craft luxury ice cubes for parties and events. You can see and hear her work at lesliekirchhoff.com.

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Milwaukee Tool & WCTC Named 2024 Outstanding Community Partners

Apr 24 2024

Milwaukee Tool and the Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) have been named the recipients of the District’s 2024 Excellence in a Community Partnership award! This award will be presented as part of the Engaged in Excellence Awards celebration on Monday, May 6, at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center.

Milwaukee Tool is being recognized as an outstanding community partner for its support of the LAUNCH program and in-kind donations to technical education classrooms across the District. Since partnering with the company in 2017, Milwaukee Tool has contributed monetary donations of over $30,000, product donations of 800 tools totalling more than $174,000, and has served as project mentors for over 150 LAUNCH student projects. Milwaukee Tool annually hosts an Innovation Challenge with LAUNCH, tasking students to design and present innovative solutions to challenges the company presents and students to gain unparalleled learning opportunities through the process.

WCTC has become a key partner in support of the Elmbrook Promise, the District’s goal to provide access to 30 college credits to every high school student before graduation. At the heart of our partnership lies the Excelerate program, where Elmbrook will celebrate its first graduates to complete a high school diploma and an associate's degree while in high school. Additionally, the growing Dual Enrollment Academy has created opportunities for students to start on a career path, earn certifications, and gain industry experience in a supportive high school cohort. These career pathways include certificates in welding, Emergency Medical Technician, IT programming, Firefighting, nursing, dental assistant, and more. Innovative opportunities in the fields of advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence provide students with hands-on learning experiences for future-ready careers. New course offerings in business management and marketing also offer students deeper insights into the field of work.

Congratulations and thank you to Milwaukee Tool and WCTC for their tremendous partnerships and amazing service to our students, educators, and Elmbrook community.