How did the John H. and Cynthia Lee Smet Foundation come to be?

We have always believed that sharing our blessings with others is both a responsibility and a joy. Inspired by the generosity of our parents and the teachings of the Catholic Church, we felt called to give in a way that was more intentional and lasting.

In 1992, we decided it was time to organize our giving so that it could make a deeper impact. Rather than waiting until year-end to find worthy charities, we wanted a thoughtful, strategic approach. With the help of a lawyer, we established the John H. and Cynthia Lee Smet Foundation.

Our very first initiative was close to John’s heart: a scholarship for a student from his hometown high school in Stoughton, Wisconsin. Named after John’s parents, the Quinn and Verna Smet Scholarship opened the door for one young person each year to attend the University of Wisconsin. Seeing the joy and opportunity that one scholarship created confirmed for us that this was the right path—and from there, we continued to grow, adding new initiatives year after year.

How did “Onward” become to be the signature expression of Smet Foundation initiatives?



Whenever we traveled with our young children, Cindy had a habit of gathering them together and calling out, “Onward!” It was our family’s way of saying, “Let’s face the next challenge with energy and joy.”

When it came time to name our education initiatives, we realized that “Onward” captured exactly what we hoped to inspire in Catholic schools. Just as we once encouraged our children to keep moving forward, we want to cheer on students, teachers, and principals as they reach for their next adventure.

For us, “Onward” is more than a word. It’s a challenge: to be your best, to dream big, to attempt what feels difficult—and to do it with courage and hope.

How did Onward 2 High School come to be?

The transition from a small Catholic elementary school to a larger high school can be daunting. We saw a need for a bridge program—one that would strengthen students academically, while also giving them the confidence to thrive in a new environment.

Algebra, in particular, stood out. Research shows that proficiency in algebra is a key predictor of success in high school and beyond. We wanted to give Catholic elementary students the chance to build those skills early, while also meeting peers from other schools in a fun, welcoming summer program.

We began at Sacred Heart High School, then expanded to St. Pius X – St. Matthias Academy. Today, we are proud to see Onward 2 High School serving six high schools and twelve elementary schools, equipping students to succeed not only in math, but in life.

What is the vision behind the creation of Onward 2 High School?



When our own children were in school, there was a legendary algebra teacher, Mrs. Smith. She was brilliant, but also demanding—so much so that our children were nervous to take her class. We encouraged them to enroll because we knew the confidence and discipline they would gain would last a lifetime.

We were right. The child who took her class found that the hard work paid off. The skills and self-belief built in that single course carried through high school, college, and beyond. Over the years, we met many other engineers, scientists, and professionals who credited Mrs. Smith as the teacher who changed the trajectory of their lives.

That is our vision for Onward 2 High School: to create “Mrs. Smith moments” for students across Catholic schools. We want to see classrooms where math is not a barrier but a doorway—where students are inspired by excellent teachers, build unshakable confidence, and discover new possibilities for their futures.