The Mineral Point Kiwanis Club honored its February Students of the Month at a virtual meeting Tuesday, February 1.
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.
Delaney Ross
Delaney Ross is the oldest child of Jamey and Lynn Ross. Delaney was born in Waverly, Iowa, in 2004. She has one brother, Alex, who is two years younger than her. She also has a beloved dog named Bella. When Delaney was 5, her family decided to move back to Mineral Point, where her parents were born and raised.
Delaney has participated in many activities during her academic career. She has participated in volleyball, basketball, and softball throughout all four years of high school. Delaney has also enjoyed her time being a part of the multimedia communications class that allows her to be creative and learn more about things that she thinks will help her in college and the career path she chooses in the future. Multimedia has allowed her to participate in projects such as producing the Mineral Point Homecoming hype video, as well as video segments for Wake Up Mineral Point. Delaney has also enjoyed being part of Key Club, FBLA, Yearbook, Forensics, and Blue Crew. Delaney had the honor of being inducted into the National Honor Society last year.
Delaney has played volleyball, basketball, and softball since she was a little girl. When she was younger, Delaney played on AAU teams for all three sports. One of her fondest high school memories was being a part of the State Runner-Up Basketball team last year. Delaney is highly grateful for the relationships and memories she has made from sports and hopes her basketball team can make it back to the state tournament again this year.
Outside of school, Delaney enjoyed working at Farmers Savings Bank last summer, where she worked as a bank teller. She has also enjoyed babysitting children throughout the years. Delaney is happy to participate in community service projects whenever she can donate her time.
After high school, Delaney plans to attend a four-year university. She is undecided on which university in Wisconsin she will attend, or what she would like to major in, but Delaney knows she will enjoy doing something where she can put her creative talents to use in the future.
Delaney would like to give a big thank you to her family and friends for their support throughout the years. Delaney would also like to thank the staff at Mineral Point Unified School District! She would like to extend a special thank you to Mr. Matt Austin, Mrs. Kristin Staver, Mr. Daniel Burreson, Mrs. Michelle Rielly, and Mrs. Sue Niehaus for always looking out for her and making an impact on who she is today. She would also like to thank all her youth and high school coaches who have taught her to compete at all levels, be a great teammate, and, most notably, be a great person! Delaney would especially like to thank Coach Kari Kabat for having her back and being a great role model for her.
Finally, Delaney would like to congratulate Emma and thank the students at Mineral Point High School for making the last four years so memorable! Mineral Point will always be home to her. Delaney is excited to take the values she has learned as a Pointer with her in the future. Finally, she would like to extend a big thank you to the Kiwanis and the Mineral Point High School staff for choosing her as Student of the Month for February.
“Delaney Ross is a sweet young lady with lots of academic success. Delaney has always been helpful with younger kids and I enjoy seeing her laughing with children. Delaney has always been a serious student and treats her studies with significance. Delaney, it’s been fun watching you interact with all ages and I wish you the best in the future! Have a fun senior year!” ~ Jill McGuire, Kindergarten Teacher
“Delaney has been with me in Spanish for the past four years. She is a hard worker and always has a positive attitude, even dealing with covid the past three school years! I’ve truly enjoyed having her in class! Congratulations, Delaney!” ~ Jenny Wahlin, High School Spanish Teacher
“Delaney, simply put, is a great person and people love to be around her. Her sense of humor and laid back attitude are two of her many attributes that make people gravitate towards her. It’s been a privilege to coach her the last couple years. She’s a great teammate and her uplifting attitude and leadership she provides to the youth and all of her teammates is extremely valued and will be missed. Good luck in all of your future endeavors, D!” ~ Head Girls Basketball Coach Michael Keyes
“Delaney is such a wonderful example for underclassmen to look up to as she is kind, determined, hard working, and always has a smile on her face. Congratulations on your selection as a Student of the Month. As you complete your senior year and continue to write your story, I am excited to see what the future holds for you. Best wishes as you work towards your goals and I am sure that you will accomplish amazing things.” ~ Matt Austin, High School Principal
“Musician Billy Cox once said, ‘The two things in life you are in total control over are your attitude and your effort.’ Since I have known Miss Delaney Ross, she has always had a go-getter attitude, willing to go the extra mile and then give 110%. The thing I love the most about Delaney is her amazing sense of humor. She always manages to lighten up stressful situations and remind us that ‘this too will pass.’ I have had the pleasure of not only teaching Delaney, but being able to coach and advise her in many different realms over the past six years. Because of this, I am confident that her future is bright. I find it very difficult to imagine next year without Delaney and her crew; however, the bright spot I hold on to is knowing that amazing things are in her future, and I get to say I played a small part in this incredible young lady’s journey. You will always be in my heart, kiddo!” ~ Kristin Staver, High School English Teacher
Emma Steffes
Emma Steffes is the daughter of Tabitha and the late Larry Steffes. She was raised on a farm outside of Mineral Point with her four siblings: Martina, Larry, Claire, and Ava. Martina is a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Larry is in the workforce, and her other two sisters are students living in Mineral Point.
Emma has participated in many activities during her time at Mineral Point High School. She has been a member of FFA, Skills USA, Key Club, and National Honor Society – serving as the secretary this year, and she is also a captain of the Mineral Point Trap Team.
Outside of school, Emma is an active member of the community. She is part of the Iowa County 4-H ambassadors, and is a part of the County Line 4-H club where she served as secretary for three years. Emma is also active in the Saint Mary’s/Saint Paul’s Church, where she occasionally helps teach CCD classes, and she has helped as an altar server for many years.
Emma has participated in volleyball, gymnastics, and track in high school. Through her athletic career, Emma has received multiple conference and regional awards, and she has made a state gymnastics appearance and two state track appearances. Emma is forever grateful for the relationships she has made with teammates and friends through sports.
In recent years, Emma has become more active on the family farm, working alongside her dad and brother. There, she developed her passion for agriculture and farming, and she has learned the value of hard work and dedication.
After high school, Emma plans on attending the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. She hopes to major in Animal Science with a minor in Ag Business.
Emma would like to thank her parents for all the support and guidance throughout the years. She would also like to thank Mr. Tom Steger for helping her find her love for science and her track coaches for going above and beyond and showing her what a little bit of hard work can achieve. Lastly, Emma would like to congratulate Delaney Ross for also being selected as Student of the Month and would like to thank the Kiwanis Club for honoring her.
“I remember Emma Steffes very well in kindergarten! Her personality was able to shine through her quiet demeanor. She loved horses and loved her closest friend. They did everything together and she was very dedicated. Emma was always a serious student and she loved learning about animals. She liked math and could compute problems in her head. Emma, it has been a joy watching you grow into the young lady you are today! Keep your kind, sweet personality–it will take you far. Congratulations on this fine honor! Enjoy the rest of your senior year and good luck in your future endeavors!” ~ Jill McGuire, Kindergarten Teacher
“Emma is a hard working and smart young woman. She has been in Spanish with me since 8th grade. Emma’s outward demeanor is very serious, but I can assure you that she has a great sense of humor and quick wit. Congratulations to you, Emma, on being selected one of the Students of the Month!” ~ Jenny Wahlin, High School Spanish Teacher
“Congratulations, Emma, on being selected as a Student of the Month for February. Your ability to stay focused and problem solve will serve you well as you take the next step on your journey. You have been a great role model for those around you and have an extremely bright future ahead of you. I want to say thank you for everything that you have been part of during your time at Mineral Point. Best of luck with your future.” ~ Matt Austin, High School Principal
‘“Work hard in silence – let success make the noise.’ I saw this on a poster and feel this is the perfect motto for Miss Emma Steffes. Ever since Emma has been a little girl, she has been a girl of few words, but many deep thoughts and actions. She truly lets her success make the noise, both in the classroom and on the playing field. She continually impresses me with her cool and collected attitude that seemingly yells ‘I got this!’ – and she always does. It is without a doubt that she will take this same practice into the very bright future that lies ahead of her. I wish you all the best and can’t wait to watch you continue to grow!” ~ Kristin Staver, High School English Teacher
(Ross photo by Ann Gorgen; Steffes photo by Lifka Bennett)