The Mineral Point Kiwanis Club honored its May Students of the Month at its meeting Tuesday, May 7.
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 2023-24 school year.
Morgan Palzkill
Morgan is the oldest child of Carrie and Jeffrey Palzkill and was born in Dodgeville. She has a younger brother Collin, who is a Sophomore at Mineral Point High School. Morgan has a beagle named Wilbur and a cat Bucky, short for Buckshot.
Morgan grew up in rural Mineral Point and has been going to Mineral Point Schools since 4K. She is a current member of the High School Band, Drama Club, Musical Theatre, Choir, and Key Club. Morgan’s notable band achievements have been participation in State Solo and Ensemble for both clarinet solo and woodwind ensemble, SWAL Honors Band, Tri-State Honors Band, and Wisconsin Concert Band Association All-State Band. Morgan has also been the clarinet section leader since Sophomore year and started playing saxophone in the jazz band junior year. Morgan has had artwork shown in the Regional Statewide Teen Art Mentor Program High School Art Show at UW-Platteville.
Outside of school, Morgan is a current volunteer member of the Mineral Point Rescue Squad as a licensed Emergency Medical Responder. Morgan worked for years for the Walker House in Mineral Point learning a variety of skills such as commercial cooking, website management, and learned about the hospitality industry. She currently works at the Kwik Trip in Mineral Point.
After high school, Morgan plans on attending Southwest Wisconsin Technical College to become a Surgical Technician. What draws her to this specialty is interest in the process of seeing and participating in the repairing of the human body.
Morgan is happy to share this opportunity of Student of the Month with Elliott Webb. Elliott has been a great friend throughout the years. Elliott is an amazing tuba player and Morgan wishes him the best of luck at UW-Madison next year.
Morgan would like to thank her mom and dad for being so supportive and for all the guidance they have given all her life. She would especially like to thank her mom for introducing music into her life through playing the piano, trumpet, and singing, as well as taking time to help with the marching band each year and playing the pep band. Morgan also thanks Mr. Matthew Nevers and Mr. Mike Kovars for encouraging her musical abilities to grow and thrive. Morgan would also like to thank Dan and Kathy Vaillancourt for providing her a great work environment and learning for over three years.
“It has been a pleasure to know you over the years through Book Club. Although you are often a person of few words, you have great insight and understanding. Best of luck as you move forward and follow your dreams. Best wishes.” ~ Mrs. Kris McCoy, Middle/High School Librarian
“Congratulations to you, Morgan, on becoming Student of the Month! At this exciting time in your life, it’s fun to reflect on your school years. In elementary school, I remember you as a quiet and studious girl with lots of happy smiles. I hope your years have brought many joyful moments and memories from the bandroom to the academic classrooms. Here’s to wishing you all the best as you enter this next phase of your life! Always work hard, be diligent, and remember where your roots are planted. Your future will be bright!” ~ Mrs. Jill McGuire, Kindergarten Teacher
“I have had the pleasure of witnessing the growth of Morgan Palzkill within the Musical Theatre Club during her high school career. Her efforts displayed through crew projects and assignments in ‘Chicago,’ ‘The Drowsy Chaperone,’ and ‘Into the Woods’ were truly spectacular. During her Senior year, she was assigned a new role and crew, displaying her versatility and willingness to try new things. Also during her final high school year, she joined the High School Choir and partook in the UW-Platteville Honors Choir and SWAL Honors Choir Festival. I appreciate her sweet personality, wit, creativity, and quiet leadership. Morgan’s compassion towards peers, multiple talents, and humor will be missed throughout the music department, and will surely take her far in all of her future pursuits!” ~ Mrs. Ashley Calderon-McHugh, Middle/High School Choir Teacher
“Morgan Palzkill is a kind, smart, and altruistic person. Morgan’s smile and personality make people feel seen, heard, and understood. Always willing to listen, Morgan’s friends and peers know she is there for them. Morgan, thank you for being a positive role model for others and for creating safe space within our school community. You are a joy to be around and I will miss seeing you each morning. Best of luck in all your future endeavors.” ~ Mrs. Erika Brunson, Middle/High School Counselor
“‘Art speaks where words are unable to explain.’ Anyone familiar with Miss Morgan Palzkill knows she is a quiet soul. She does a lot of soaking it all in and then speaks volumes through her art. What an incredibly talented young lady! Morgan, I have thoroughly enjoyed your sweet, attentive demeanor in class for the past four years. I am positive your future is filled with exciting adventures and success. I can’t wait to see what comes next for you! Please remember that I am always ready to buy your painting, which captured my obsession. I want to say, ‘I knew this accomplished artist when she was just taking flight!’” ~ Mrs. Kristin Staver, High School English Teacher
Elliott Webb
Elliott Webb is the (barely!) youngest son of Susan and Bill Webb. He is one of three children — Abby and James, also Seniors, are his triplet siblings. He has a very energetic dog named Heather and two cats named Callie and Whiskers. Elliott was born in St. Louis, Missouri, but moved to Mineral Point at a very young age and has attended school there since Pre-K.
Since 5th grade, Elliott has played in the band. He has developed a proficiency and love for music, taking the opportunity to learn multiple instruments and play in several ensembles under director Mr. Matt Nevers. Elliott has also participated in Solo and Ensemble and many honors bands. He has been taking private tuba lessons with his teacher, Mr. Mike Forbes, since 7th grade. Elliott is also a part of the Musical Theatre and Drama Clubs. You may have seen him accompanying therapy dog Bocephus Ottoway during “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” or working the smoke machine in the orchestra pit during “Hamlet.”
Outside of school, Elliott is the principal tubist of the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras. He attends practice weekly in Madison. There, Elliott and other young musicians learn challenging and impressive masterworks. Notable pieces that his orchestra has played include Shostakovich’s “Fifth Symphony,” Dvořák’s “Slavonic Dances,” and “Scheherazade.” Right now he is playing Mahler’s “First Symphony” and will perform it at the Hamel Center in late May. Elliott recently had the privilege of playing in a brass choir at the Governor’s Mansion for their 2023 Christmas Tree Lighting celebration.
In Elliott’s free time, he likes to draw, read, listen to music, and binge-watch TV shows. Elliott works as a barista at Café 43. His time working there has taught him many life skills, but it has also given him a caffeine addiction! Elliott is also going to participate in a pickleball tournament with his friends and you can bet that his team will go all the way.
Elliott will become a Badger at UW-Madison after he graduates from Mineral Point High School. He auditioned and was accepted to the Mead-Witter School of Music, and is very excited to study with brilliant professors and peers. As well as majoring in music, he is planning on taking advantage of the opportunities at UW-Madison by double majoring. He isn’t completely sure what else he will be majoring in yet.
Elliott would like to congratulate his classmate and good friend Morgan Palzkill for being named Student of the Month alongside him! Morgan is very deserving of this award, and is absolutely going to excel in becoming a surgical technician at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College. Elliott can’t wait to see where the future takes Morgan. Elliott would like to thank his family for supporting him and his teachers for giving him a great education. Finally, Elliott extends a warm thank you to the Kiwanis Club for naming him Student of the Month.
“It has been such a pleasure to get to know you over the years through the Makers Club, Book Club, and Pointer Media. You are a talented writer and your point of view is always interesting and entertaining to read. I hope you continue with this as I want to read more of what you write! I wish you the best of luck as you pursue your dreams at UW-Madison.” ~ Mrs. Kris McCoy, Middle/High School Librarian
“I recall the day we had three new students as they made their way down the hallway. Elliott, I will always remember your beautiful eyes as you quietly checked out your surroundings with a bit of wariness. As you came to know, Mineral Point was a great fit – a place where you could learn and play without hesitation. As you have grown, I have seen you come into your own and express your creative personality. I am excited to see what the future holds as I’m certain you will experience achievement beyond your own dreams! Congratulations on your graduation and best wishes as you venture out into the world!” ~ Mrs. Jill McGuire, Kindergarten Teacher
“I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Elliott Webb through the Musical Theatre Club during his high school career. He started out as a cast member in ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and ‘Chicago,’ and then moved to the technical crew of ‘The Drowsy Chaperone’ and backstage crew of ‘Into the Woods.’ These varying roles display his multifaceted talents, interests, and skill sets. I appreciate his thoughtfulness towards others, fun ideas, and willingness to experience new things. Elliott’s friendliness, intellect, and drive will serve him well throughout his life!” ~ Mrs. Ashley Calderon-McHugh, Middle/High School Choir Teacher
“Elliott Webb is a talented musician, strong student, and overall a joy to know and spend time with. Elliott’s success in the arts is endless and I am confident he will continue to achieve outside of MPHS because his work ethic and goal setting is unmatched. Elliott, thank you for sharing your talents with us and extending kindness to all. You will be greatly missed next year, but I am so excited to see what you continue to achieve. Best of luck to you, Elliott! You deserve the best life has to offer.” ~ Mrs. Erika Brunson, Middle/High School Counselor
“American author Napoleon Hill wrote, ‘Enthusiasm is contagious, and the person who has it under control is generally welcome in any group of people.’ Elliott, I was inspired by your enthusiasm the minute I met you! You were a breath of fresh air during those dark days of social distancing. You will never know how much your engagement and sincere desire to learn made a difference. What a fantastic gift you have to be both incredibly artistically talented and extremely academically talented. You have mastered both the right and left sides of the brain – something few can claim! I can’t wait to see what doors you open and am so proud to say I was able to play a small role in your growth. Go out and change the world, My Friend!” ~ Mrs. Kristin Staver, High School English Teacher
(Palzkill and Webb photos by Tonya Backes)