Wauwatosa East High School celebrated the induction of five remarkable alumni into its Wall of Inspiration on Thursday, March 26, 2026, during an all-school assembly at 7500 Milwaukee Ave. The Wall of Inspiration, established in 2002, was created to remind students of what is possible, and this year’s class embodied that mission with careers spanning military service, diplomacy, veterinary conservation, culinary arts, and Paralympic athletics.
Since 2002, the Wauwatosa East Wall of Inspiration has honored alumni whose lives and careers serve as a testament to the potential of every student who walks the school’s halls. A small committee of alumni selects inductees from community nominations, ensuring the program remains deeply connected to the school’s values and legacy.
Class of Spring 2026 Inductees
Brigadier General Michael Hayes, Class of 1961
After graduating from Wauwatosa High School in 1961 and the University of Wisconsin in 1966, Mike Hayes served 33 distinguished years in the U.S. Marine Corps, retiring as a Brigadier General in 1999. He served twice in Vietnam and held command and staff positions in Japan, Panama, Saudi Arabia, and across the United States. His military decorations include the Silver Star, the Purple Heart, two Bronze Stars, two Legions of Merit, and the Defense Superior Service Medal. Following his military career, Hayes served 18 years as Director of Military and Federal Affairs for the State of Maryland, where he was instrumental in generating more than 100,000 military and federal-related jobs. In 2007, he was named a national Public Official of the Year by the Association of Defense Communities. Note: Hayes was unable to attend the March 26 event.
Ambassador Jane Becker, Class of 1968
Valedictorian of the Class of 1968, Ambassador Jane Ellen Becker devoted her life to distinguished service representing the United States around the world. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Michigan State University with a double major in Biology and Latin American Studies, she entered the U.S. Foreign Service in 1972. Her career took her to some of the world’s most complex diplomatic environments, including Lisbon — where she witnessed the 1974 Carnation Revolution firsthand — Moscow during the height of the Cold War, and Geneva, where she served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mission. In Vienna, she played a critical role in nuclear arms negotiations. A trailblazer for women in the Foreign Service, Ambassador Becker passed away in 2020, leaving a lasting legacy of service, integrity, and inspiration. She was represented at the ceremony by her brother, Robert Becker.
Dr. Jeffrey Zuba, Class of 1973
Dr. Zuba earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Wisconsin and completed a residency in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine at San Diego Zoo Global. After serving as a Clinical Professor in Zoo Medicine at Colorado State University, he joined the veterinary staff at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, where he worked for 31 years. Career highlights include serving as Director of Veterinary Programs for the USFWS California Condor Recovery Program, acting as Veterinary Advisor for the White Rhinoceros Species Survival Plan, and leading a team of international veterinarians who developed anesthetic and laparoscopic protocols for the surgical contraception of free-ranging African elephants. In 2024, he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the UW School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Zuba continues to consult and lecture internationally and is the founder of In Case of Anesthesia, which designs and manufactures specialized mega-vertebrate anesthetic equipment.
Chef Paul Bartolotta, Class of 1979
A two-time winner and six-time James Beard Award nominee, Chef Paul Bartolotta is co-founder and owner of The Bartolotta Restaurants, a nationally recognized restaurant and catering organization celebrating over 30 years in the Greater Milwaukee region. After attending Milwaukee Area Technical College, Bartolotta honed his craft in prestigious kitchens across New York, France, and Italy, earning three stars from The New York Times at just 24 years old. He has worked alongside culinary icons such as Paul Bocuse and Roger Vergé and has been recognized by the President of Italy as a global ambassador of Italian cuisine. Since assuming full ownership in 2019 following the passing of his brother and partner Joe, Paul has continued their shared vision of authenticity, mentorship, and world-class service.
Olympic Gold Medalist Hailey Danz, Class of 2009
Hailey Danz spent much of her time at Longfellow Middle School battling bone cancer in her left leg. During her freshman year at Wauwatosa East, she chose to have her leg amputated above the knee to improve her quality of life — a decision that set the stage for an extraordinary athletic career. After graduating in 2009, she studied psychology at Northwestern University, where she discovered triathlon. In 2016, she competed at the Rio de Janeiro Paralympics — the first Games to feature triathlon — and won a silver medal as part of a Team USA sweep. She added a second silver at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2020. In 2024, with Paris as the backdrop, she accomplished her career-long goal of becoming a Paralympic Champion, claiming the gold medal she had long worked toward. Danz currently resides in Denver, balancing elite training with her work for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee.
A Day of Inspiration
The day’s events brought the Wall of Inspiration mission full-circle. After a morning breakfast and meet-and-greet, the inductees took the stage at a school-wide assembly emceed by Wauwatosa Mayor and East alumni Dennis McBride. Each honoree was introduced with a brief biography and video before stepping to the podium to speak directly to students. The afternoon included lunch with guests, individual interviews with the student newspaper, and visits to classrooms, where inductees engaged with students in specific subject areas, before the day culminated in the unveiling of engraved plaques in the school’s Learning Center.
During the assembly, inductees reflected on both the privilege and responsibility of returning to inspire the next generation.
“We hope that whatever successes and accolades that we’ve been blessed to receive over the years will serve as an inspiration to you, for you to realize your goals. If we have done that, then we’ve done our job,” Dr. Jeffrey Zuba said.
Inductees also encouraged students to embrace both learning and teaching throughout their lives.
“The advice I would give you is to be lifelong learners and then have the belief that it’s also your job to be a lifelong teacher. Whatever you know, share,” Chef Paul Bartolotta said. “Give back to your community at every stage possible. Be part of that community. Make a difference in other people’s lives.”
Watch a video from the event: