Ray, Jazmin, and Mary Rose.

Wauwatosa teller Jazmin Vela graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee on May 21 with a degree in finance. Branch manager Mary Rose Balzer and personal banker Ray Guardiola joined her other friends and family for a party after the ceremony. “My support team throughout the past four years gathered for food, cake, drinks, and mingling,” Jazmin said. “It’s been one of the best days of my life thus far. I am still on cloud nine.”

She says the reality of her achievement still hasn’t quite hit her, but that she’s feeling “a huge sense of pride and purpose.”

Jazmin wants to thank two of her mentors: “Mary Rose hired me right when I was starting my educational career with no banking experience, and throughout the years, she showed me how to improve and grow at my position. She was patient and accommodating to my school needs, which was important with trying to find a balance in my life. It made going to school full time and working part time a piece of cake!” she says. “And Jennie Schlei was my supervisor for almost three years and really showed me the ropes at a job that was all new to me when I started. I admire her work ethic, and she was also patient and accommodating to me when she was at the branch level. They both are the reason I wanted to stay at North Shore Bank long-term.”