As a high school senior, Madeline Bruss consistently went above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of those around her. Through her leadership roles in organizations like She’s the First and Interact, she championed causes that empowered others—whether supporting girls’ education globally or organizing local volunteer efforts to uplift her own community. On campus, she served on the student advisory and governance boards, giving students a voice and helping to shape a more inclusive school environment. Madeline led with empathy, initiative, and a deep sense of purpose, leaving a lasting impact not just through the positions she held, but through the kindness, dedication, and drive she brought to everything she did.
About Madeline Bruss
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I live on a small “farmette” with my parents and my younger brother Liam, as well as my pet goats, chickens, cats and dogs. I’m so grateful to my family, especially my parents Britton and Tobby for their unending support of me throughout high school and my childhood. I wouldn’t be who I am without them!
Q: Please tell us about your life and what you do (whether working in our community, a business owner, volunteer, etc.). How did you choose that path?
My name is Madeline Bruss, and I’m a recent graduate of KM Global—a charter school focused on leadership and innovation within the Kettle Moraine School District. This fall, I’ll be heading to the University of Alabama to pursue a degree in metallurgical engineering. Outside of academics, I enjoy reading, playing tennis, and staying actively involved in my community through service and leadership opportunities. I’m passionate about making a difference and excited for what lies ahead.
While in high school, I made it a priority to be actively involved in my community through leadership and service. I served on both my school’s student advisory and governance boards, helping shape decisions that impacted students directly. During my senior year, I took on leadership roles as president of two impactful organizations: She’s the First and Interact.
She’s the First is a global nonprofit dedicated to supporting girls’ education and empowering young women around the world—a mission I’m deeply passionate about. Leading our chapter allowed me to advocate for gender equity while connecting our local efforts to a powerful global cause.
Interact, a Rotary-supported service club, gave me the opportunity to organize community drives, volunteer initiatives, and fundraisers that directly supported people in need.
These experiences weren’t just extracurriculars—they were a way for me to step up, give back, and grow as a leader. I’m incredibly grateful for the chance to make a meaningful difference in both my school and community.
Q: What do you love most about what you do?
My favorite part about what I’ve been doing in recent years is the people I get to meet! There are so many people in our community with fascinating stories to share, and I love getting to learn more about them.
Q: What are some of your future goals? Do you have anything exciting coming up that you would like to share?
I’m excited to attend the University of Alabama! Going to college so far away is going to be a big change for me, but I can’t wait! My goal is to build a community at school, and try to stay involved down there as well. I’ll be moving in early and spending a week in August volunteering in local elementary schools with some other students, and I’m looking forward to meeting new people who share my interests!
Q: What advice would you give to someone interested in doing something similar to what you have done/are doing?
Just do it! There are so many ways to get involved in our community, both on your school campus and in local organizations. One of my favorite places to volunteer is a pay-what-you-can cafe in Milwaukee called Tricklebee Cafe because I enjoy cooking and meeting new people. Find a way to get involved that interests you!
Madeline Bruss & Our Community
Q: What is your favorite thing about our community, favorite thing to do, or something unique about our community that you love? (Feel free to share as much as you’d like!)
My favorite thing about our community is how many unique things to do there are. We have beautiful parks, lakes and trails for when I want to spend time outside, but there’s also amazing restaurants, festivals, and downtown areas that are so much fun! I love the people in our community as well, and how we can come together for fun and to support important causes.
Q: Who is an interesting person you’ve met here in our community, and how have they inspired you?
One interesting person I’ve met is my childhood tennis coach Barb Mueller. She has lived an amazing life and has inspired me to be the best version of myself! For the last few years I have taught youth tennis with her, which has been an amazing way to reconnect. One of her favorite things to say to me has always been a quote by Billie Jean King: “Pressure is a privilege”. To me, this quote means that with pressure comes opportunity, and one should take advantage of every opportunity they are presented with, even if you’re nervous. Coach Barb has inspired me to persevere through every challenge I face!
Q: Do you have a favorite coffee shop, cocktail shop, or restaurant?
My favorite coffee shop is Mama D’s! It’s just down the road from my high school campus, and I love spending time there with my friends and classmates during free periods and after school. Plus they make the best smoothies!
Q: What 3 words would you use to describe our community?
United, Kind, and Fun!
For Fun
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I have four pet goats! Their names are Luna, Athena, Stella, and Vincent Van Goat, and I’ve had them for about 5 years now!
Q: What is your favorite book, TV show, movie, poem, or song? Why?
My favorite book is Anne of Green Gables! I’ve loved it since I was a kid! It has a great message and is also a fun story and an enjoyable read.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My mom! She does so much for me and my family and she inspires me to try and be as kind and thoughtful as her every day!
Q: If you were a drink (can be a coffee drink, alcoholic, non-alcoholic, etc.), what would you be?
If I was a drink I’d be a Bubbl’r because they’re energetic and fun, which is something I try to be too!
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone, who would it be with? Why?
I would have lunch with John Green. He’s the author of one of my favorite books The Anthropocene Reviewed, and I think he has a really unique perspective on a lot of topics. He does a lot of charity work and good around the world!
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I’ve always wanted to go skydiving! I just turned 18 and that’s definitely something on my bucket list. It would be so cool to see the world from that high up.
Q: What makes you the happiest?
My friends! I’ve had the same group of friends since I was little and I’m so grateful for them! I have the best time with them whenever we’re together and I can always count on them to cheer me up.
Q: Any general life advice you would like to share?
Talk to people! You can learn so much from the people you meet, so don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and meet new people in your community.
Nice To Meet You:
I believe in positively impacting my clients and the community I live in, which is why I jumped at the chance to be an ambassador with “The Faces of Lake Country”. It’s a perfect blend of why I enjoy being a Realtor with Shorewest, Realtors, and everything I love about living in Lake Country.
I truly enjoy being a part of this community and helping others along the way. Prior to real estate, I was an Office Supervisor for the City of Waukesha Park & Recreation Department. During this time, I had the opportunity to work with many business owners and serve the general public. It was there that I realized that it really does take a village to make a community great and each and every one of us plays an important role.
Read More
