The Mineral Point Kiwanis Club honored its March Students of the Month at its meeting Tuesday, March 31 at the Pointer Café.
The students, who are members of the senior class, are selected for this honor through a voting process by staff at the school, and their biographies are written by themselves.
Frank Baker
Frank is the son of Perry and Jennifer Baker. He has one sister, Abbie. He was born in Edmonds, Washington and moved here when he was around ten months old. Both of his parents are from this area. His mom is from Mineral Point and his dad is from Platteville.
Frank has participated in wrestling, football, and golf throughout his years of high school. He lettered in wrestling his sophomore, junior, and senior years qualifying for the state tournament in his junior and senior seasons, placing 6th as a senior. In those seasons he was also voted captain by his teammates. Frank also lettered in football his junior and senior years, serving as a captain his senior year.
He has also actively participated in the FFA. He served as sentinel for one year. Frank has also participated in the wildlife judging team the past three years, qualifying for state last year. He was also involved in 4-H for eight years.
Frank has had his own newspaper route for the past two years. He delivers the Wisconsin State Journal every morning to customers. He gets up early every morning before school and delivers the papers, no matter what the weather is like.
One teacher that has influenced Frank is his wrestling coach, Mr. Scott Schmitz. Coach Schmitz has taught him that through hard work and dedication, anything can be possible. Coach Schmitz has always pushed him to work hard and be the best that he can be.
Next year he plans on attending the University of Northern Iowa to study athletic training. After his college years, Frank hopes to return to southwest Wisconsin and work in the area.
Finally, Frank would like to thank everyone who has made his time at Mineral Point High School something he will never forget. He would also like to thank the Kiwanis Club for selecting him as Student of the Month and congratulate Bryce in receiving the award as well.
“Frank has been an outstanding young man to work with as a school counselor, football coach, and student council advisor,” said Andy Palzkill. “He has been a great leader on the football team for four years and really did a great job of establishing the team concept we have been talking about since I became the head coach. There were many times at practice that I would have to step away from the running back individual time to look back and see Frank taking charge and playing quarterback! We will miss Frank at MPHS next year. The commitment he has shown to do his best academically and athletically has been a wonderful example for our student body.”
Bryce Fitzsimons
Bryce is the son of Tim and Lisa Fitzsimons. He has lived in Mineral Point for his entire life. His father is now married to Robin Fitzsimons.
Bryce participated in wrestling during his high school career. He also has played saxophone since fifth grade. He has played in several ensembles, two of which have advanced to state competition.
Bryce has worked at Point Foods since the summer going into his junior year. He has always arrived to work in a timely manner and has taken extra shifts whenever he is asked.
Both his wrestling coach, Mr. Scott Schmitz, and his high school band director, Mr. Matt Nevers, have influenced him greatly. Both taught him that hard work and dedication pay off, both in wrestling and in performing music. Both Mr. Schmitz and Mr. Nevers have pushed Bryce to become better in wrestling and performing.
Next year, Bryce plans to attend UW-Platteville to study music and education. After college, Bryce plans to become a band director.
Finally, Bryce would like to thank the teachers and other staff of Mineral Point High School. Without their desire to teach, he would not have become the person he is today. Bryce would also like to thank the Kiwanis Club for selecting him asStudent of the Month. He would also like to congratulate Frank in receiving this award as well.
“Bryce is the backbone of our woodwind section in the high school band,” said Matt Nevers. “In balancing the band, we base everything on the low sounding instruments, and with Bryce on baritone saxophone, he has provided a strong foundation for us these past four years. He will be missed upon graduation, but he will be moving on to bigger and better things as he majors in music education!”
New to the Student of the Month program this year is a book donation to the school library by the Kiwanis in honor of the students.
“I chose Foxcatcher by Mark Schultz,” said Frank. “It is a good book about the events between Olympic champion brothers, Mark and Dave Schultz. It tells about their relationship through wrestling and the true story of Dave’s killing by John du Pont. It is a good read for anyone who has ever wrestled.”
“I chose Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck because it is one of the great American classics,” said Bryce. “It is a quick read, but is an incredible story. This is one of the best stories I have ever read and is one of my favorites.”
Frank and Bryce are shown with high school guidance counselor, Andy Palzkill.