If you are lucky enough to live in Duluth or the surrounding area, you are likely already familiar with our first featured alumnus, Brett Mensing.  Brett (known professionally as Brett Scott) is a 2013 William M. Kelley graduate and Morning Reporter for “FOX 21 Local News at 7” broadcasting from Duluth.

When first contacted, Brett was more than willing to talk about how growing up in Silver Bay and being educated at William M. Kelley Schools shaped his life and career choice.  “I would love to inspire others in Silver Bay to reach for the stars and go above and beyond what they think they’re capable of doing”, he said.

Brett grew up in Silver Bay and thinks of the schools there as his second home.  He spoke fondly of multiple teachers who influenced him and kept him on track throughout his early years.  He described himself as a hands-on learner, looked toward others as role models and found a competitive streak in his nature growing up.  He developed his writing and photography skills and found himself practicing as a TV news reporter to himself while on car trips.

Various activities kept him busy after school.  He was a server at Cove Point Lodge during his time at William M. Kelley High School and also worked summers when home from college.  He was involved in National Honor Society, Student Council and was the basketball team manager for 4 years.  The North Shore Journal published numerous articles written by Brett throughout high school, covering a number of community topics.   In high school, he took courses offered at Kelley that eventually earned him 24 college credits through Lake Superior College.

Brett credits his exposure to the French language in high school and college as most influencing his outlook on life.  Two French Club trips, one to Quebec City and one to Paris, France he says brought him out of his shell and taught him how to think for himself.  His curiosity surrounding new cultures and diversity remains and complements his career today.

As a freshman at St. Cloud State in St. Cloud, MN, Brett joined UTVS, the University Television Station for SCSU and the surrounding area.  He became anchor and started producing newscasts for the station.  After graduating in 3 years with a major in Mass Communications and a Minor in Human Relations, Brett landed an internship at FOX 21 in Duluth.  Very quickly thereafter, he found his niche as Morning Reporter.  This year, Brett (and co-worker Adam Jagunich) were presented with an Eric Sevareid Award of Merit from the Midwest Broadcast Journalism Association for their piece “An Abandoned Town:  The Story of Taconite Harbor”.

Brett speaks lovingly of the North Shore and the Silver Bay community.  He feels very lucky to have found employment so near his hometown and visits regularly.  He knows that future jobs might take him further from the area, but his ties to the North Shore are strong.  As a member of the WKS Alumni Association, he hopes to give back to the school and community for many years to come.

Written by Mary Stefanich Hoffman (Class of 1975)
May, 2017

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