The Mineral Point Kiwanis Club honored its May Students of the Month at a virtual meeting Tuesday, May 4. The Kiwanis Club is meeting via Zoom during the pandemic.
The students, who are members of the senior class, are selected for this honor through a voting process by staff at the high school, and their biographies are written by themselves.
These are the final Students of the Month for the 2020-21 school year.
Ian Keyes
Ian Keyes is the proud son of Michael Keyes and BreAnne Keyes-Hesseling. He has been attending Mineral Point ever since he transferred here from Saint Joseph’s Catholic School in 6th grade.
In his time at Mineral Point, he has met many people that have been great influences on his life. One of these people is Paula Schuette. Paula was one of his CCD teachers in middle school, and she has had a big impact on his life. She taught him a lot about his Catholic faith and has always been there for him whenever he needed anything.
Throughout Ian’s high school career he has participated in many different extracurricular activities. Some of these activities include basketball, football, cross country, and baseball. He is also a two-time state silver medalist in forensics, a state qualifier in Future Business Leaders of America, and a bronze medalist in math team. He has also competed in mock trial since he was a sophomore and he is the president of the Blue Crew.
He has also done a lot of work outside of school to help his community. He has worked countless hours at pasty sales for his church, and in his free time, he helps coach youth sports. Ian also worked at Spee Dee Delivery over the summer loading and unloading trucks and semis.
Ian plans on attending UW-La Crosse next year. His plans are to major in education and become a teacher and a coach. He plans on becoming either a history or English teacher at the high school level, as well as coaching basketball at the high school level. Ian is very excited to move on to the next step of his life. He can’t wait to see what the future has in store for him, and he would like to thank all of his teachers and advisors for helping prepare him to move on to the next step in his life, but most importantly he would like to thank his parents for everything they have done for him.
He would also like to thank the Kiwanis Club for having him here today.
“Ian has grown from a shy, insecure elementary and middle school student into a self-assured senior who is not only smart academically, but has also proven to be a successful athlete. Ian hit the floor this year as a starter on the basketball team where he could hit a 3-point shot from just about anywhere. He was even crowned this year’s individual champion in Mr. Burreson’s legendary Jeopardy tournament. Ian is a confident young man who will go down in prom history wearing his hot pink tux. Congratulations on being named Kiwanis Senior Student of the Month. I wish you continued success throughout the remainder of your senior year and best wishes as you venture out into the world.” ~ Janet Lawinger, High School Administrative Assistant
“Congratulations to you, Ian, on being Student of the Month! What a great way to finish your senior year. We are so happy you became a Pointer, just like all those Keyes family members before you! Thank you for being such a great role model for all the young students of MP! Good luck next year!” ~ Jill McGuire, Kindergarten Teacher
“While Ian Keyes enjoys having fun and making others laugh, he is a determined and driven young man who strives to learn and find the lesson in his experiences. He works hard and is deserving of his successes. He always has a smile and kind words to share. Congratulations as May Student of the Month. I wish you all the best in your future!” ~ Kipalee Bakken, Middle/High School Business Teacher
“Ian, thank you for being part of Pointer Nation and Mineral Point High School for the last four years. You have continued to develop as a student, leader, role model, and mentor for those around you. I am excited for your future and what it holds for you. Congratulations on being selected as the Student of the Month for May and best wishes.” ~ Matt Austin, High School Principal
“‘Be brave, fight for what you believe in, and make your dreams your reality’ – Jared Leto. Fighting for what you believe should be an occupation – Mr. Ian Keyes would be the CEO! I say this with love as Ian’s fighting spirit is what has always made him special. His passion for anything and everything is what makes him a stand-out kid. I thoroughly enjoyed being Ian’s English teacher, but I most enjoyed watching him thrive in forensics and multi-media. He has a true gift for communication. I will truly miss his energy next year, but I am so excited to see him blossom at my alma mater UWL! Good luck, Buddy! Don’t forget the little people in Staverland!” ~ Kristin Staver, High School English Teacher
“Ian Keyes has been a fine example of a student/athlete at Mineral Point. He has a very competitive nature, whether in the classroom or in the athletic arena. He always wants to do his best and be successful at whatever he does. I know he will take that same approach in college and do very well at LaCrosse.” ~ Dan Burreson, High School Social Studies Teacher and Head Boys Basketball Coach
Jenna Wiker
Jenna Wiker is the daughter of Tom and Cindy Wiker. She has attended Mineral Point since her freshman year of high school and has valued her time with this school and community.
She has been involved in many different clubs throughout her high school career. She has participated in Key Club and Future Business Leaders of America since her sophomore year of high school and mock trial since her junior year. She competed at the state level all three years of FBLA and made it to the national level her junior year. She was also an officer for FBLA her senior year.
She has also been a very active member of her community all throughout high school and has been involved in things like community service days, reading to elementary students, and volunteering at her church. She has worked a few different jobs in her high school career including at Lands’ End and most recently at Mound City Bank.
Jenna will be attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the upcoming fall semester. She plans on studying Marketing and hopes to do fashion marketing after college. She is very excited to further her education at UW-Madison and begin the next chapter of her life.
She would like to thank Mrs. Kipalee Bakken who had been not only an amazing teacher to Jenna but also her FBLA adviser. Mrs. Bakken has taught her a lot over the years about hard work and the world of business. Jenna would also like to thank all the staff and teachers at Mineral Point High School and her parents for everything they have done to help shape her into the person she is today.
Lastly, she would like to thank the Kiwanis Club for the opportunity to come here today.
“I didn’t get to know Jenna until she moved into the district a few years ago. She was a girl who came in very timid, but has made herself known through her academics and club participation. Jenna is taking numerous college classes, giving her a head start as she enters college in the fall. She is also working at Mound City Bank for her work experience classes which will assist her as she sets out to obtain a Marketing degree. Congratulations on being named Kiwanis Student of the Month. I know you’ll go out and do great things.” ~ Janet Lawinger, High School Administrative Assistant
“Congratulations to you, Jenna, on being selected as one of May’s Students of the Month! Your drive and dedication is an inspiration to all. Although I wasn’t your teacher, I saw you enough to know you have always been a serious and hard-working student. I’m certain your high school academic career has prepared you for the future of your dreams! Good Luck next year!” ~ Jill McGuire, Kindergarten Teacher
“Jenna Wiker is one of the most organized, determined, and self-advocating students I have ever had the pleasure of working with. She opted to take my Music Theory college course during her senior year and handled the virtual learning responsibilities and challenges with ease and patience. Jenna amazed me with her ability to jump into a class that is not only beyond her comfort zone, but also requires a significant amount of participation and independent studying skills in order to comprehend such tricky concepts. She also partook in the Musical Theatre program this year as a costume crew member, and her role was essential and demanding! I was thrilled to see her trying new things as her time in high school is coming to an end, and hope that she enjoyed the experience and made friends and memories throughout the production season! I have always appreciated Jenna’s positive attitude, honest and straight-forward perspectives, and impressive work ethic! I am sure she will go far in all of her future pursuits!” ~ Ashley McHugh, Middle/High School Choir Teacher
“Jenna, congratulations on being selected as a Student of the Month. As you close out your senior year, I want to say thank you for everything that you have been part of during your time at Mineral Point. Remember that the attributes that have helped you get this far will carry over to the next level. Best of luck with your future.” ~ Matt Austin, High School Principal
“‘When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new’ – The Dalai Lama. I have always admired Miss Jenna Wiker’s ability to truly listen to what others are saying. As a student, she was tenacious about making sure she understood the lesson. I loved that it wasn’t just about the grade – she really wanted to know the concept and would meet with me outside of class until she got it. This quality will surely move Jenna through a very bright future. I wish you all the best and can’t wait to watch you continue to grow!” ~ Kristin Staver, High School English Teacher
“Jenna Wiker has a friendly personality, a warm demeanor, and kind smile. She quickly settled in upon arrival in the district. She was one of a small group of students in my accounting class, and over the course of the year, we had many laughs and I had a great time learning from the girls. Jenna has been a valued FBLA member and is able to be counted on to complete tasks and meet deadlines in her role as FBLA officer. She is flexible, eager, and always willing to learn something new or take on a project. I appreciate all her effort for our FBLA organization. Congratulations as May Student of the Month. Best wishes in this next chapter!” ~ Kipalee Bakken, Middle/High School Business Teacher