Mineral Point High School is proud to announce its top scholars for the Class of 2025: Valedictorian Matthew Goninen and Salutatorians Lila Thousand, Ella Kroll, and Jadyn Swinehart.
Graduation is set for Friday, May 23 at 7 pm in the high school gym. The biographies below were written by the students themselves.
Valedictorian Matthew Goninen
Matthew Goninen is the youngest child of Timm and Beth Goninen. Born in 2006, he has lived west of Mineral Point his entire life. He has two older siblings, Justin and Hannah; two siblings-in-law, Marisa and Brady; and three nieces and nephews, Hudson, Olive, and Layla.
Matthew has been a student in the Mineral Point Unified School District his entire life. He has been president of the Mineral Point Future Business Leaders of America for the past two years and served on the State Executive Council for the past two years. He is a Captain of the Forensics team, the Captain of the Wisconsin Civics Games team, and the President of the National Honor Society. He has been Class President all four years of high school and serves as this year’s Student Body President. He was named Freshman Student of the Year, was an FBLA Broadcast Journalism National Finalist, was the 2024 Wisconsin Senate Scholar in Senate District 17, is an Advanced Placement Scholar with Honor, and was one of Wisconsin’s American Legion Boys Nation Delegates in 2024.
One of the biggest parts of Matthew’s high school career has been Pointer Media. Since helping start the organization as a 7th Grader, Matthew has spent the past many years as the Executive Director of the program. He launched MPTV in 2020 and has added commentary, commercials, theme music, and custom graphics to his broadcasts. He has run the Blue Crew social media pages since early 2021 and served as the Pointer Media webmaster since the program’s inception. He is the Executive Producer of Wake Up Mineral Point, works as the media business manager, has helped with yearbook design and layout, and leads gameday operation (including designing the programs, creating the warmup music mixes, and operating the video board) for the football, volleyball, and basketball teams.
Outside of school, Matthew aims to stay involved in the community. Since the summer of 2022, he has contributed to the Dodgeville Chronicle and Democrat Tribune. He started working with the Mineral Point Chamber of Commerce as a Social Media Strategist and Creator in late 2023 and has started working as a Sports Play-by-Play Announcer with QueenB Radio in 2024.
Upon graduation, Matthew plans to attend Duke University in Durham, North Carolina to study Computer Science. He is looking forward to tenting for the Duke vs. UNC game and becoming a Cameron Crazie. Additionally, he is excited to explore the growing technology scene in Research Triangle Park.
Matthew would like to thank the professional educators of Mineral Point High School who have gone above and beyond to make his high school experience remarkable. He would like to remind his teachers that the dedication they put in year-round does not go unnoticed by him and his classmates. Finally, Matthew would like to congratulate his fellow members of the Class of 2025. His classmates continue to set records, break barriers, and achieve feats never before accomplished at MPHS. Whether on the field, court, stage, or in the classroom, the Class of 2025 embodies excellence with its relentless pursuit of greatness. The Class of 2025’s hard work and dedication leave a lasting legacy, inspiring future generations of Pointers to dream big and push beyond limits.
Salutatorian Lila Thousand
Lila Thousand is the middle child of Michael and Stacey Thousand. She was born in 2007 and has lived in Mineral Point her entire life. She has one brother, Landon, who is studying Business at Viterbo University, and three sisters, Halayna, who is in the workforce; Ronica, who is a Sophomore at Mineral Point High School; and Collins who is in 6th Grade at Mineral Point.
Lila has been a student at Mineral Point her entire life. During her high school time, she has been involved in many extracurricular activities. She is Secretary for the Mineral Point Key Club, an officer for the Environmental Wellness Club, an officer for the Spanish Club, and a Captain for the Mineral Point Forensics team. She is also involved in Mock Trial, Choir, National Honor Society, Musical Theatre, Drama Club, and Future Business Leaders of America. She has been named Junior Student of the Year, Spanish Student of the Year as a Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior years, Biology Student of the Year, and Biology 2 Student of the Year.
One of the main parts of Lila’s high school experience has been musical theatre. Lila has always been passionate about music, whether singing, acting, or playing an instrument. She joined the Musical Theatre Club as a Freshman and decided to be a part of the crew in the musical “Chicago.” For “Chicago,” she was a part of the costume crew, and after watching a few rehearsals and shows, she knew she wanted to be on stage. In her Sophomore year, she was a part of the cast for “The Drowsy Chaperone” where she played Kitty, and in her Junior year, she was a part of the cast for the show “Into the Woods” where she played Little Red Riding Hood. Lila was also a part of this year’s musical “Big Fish” where she played Sandra.
Outside of school and extracurriculars, Lila works, reads, or hangs out with her friends. She also enjoys watching movies, walking with her parents, and spending time with her two dogs.
After high school, Lila hopes to attend a four-year university to major in biochemistry and either double major or minor in neuroscience. After college she hopes to attend medical school to become a doctor or a pathologist.
Lila would like to thank all of the teachers and staff members at Mineral Point High School for helping her and making her high school experience memorable. She would like to give a special thanks to Mrs. Erin Gomanne and Mr. Tom Steger for helping her uncover her love for the science world, Mrs. Ashley Calderon-McHugh, Mr. Matthew Nevers, and Mr. Jason Smith for giving her many opportunities to portray her love for musical theatre on stage, and Mrs. Erika Brunson for helping her prepare for her future. Finally, she would like to thank her family and friends for always being there and supporting her no matter what.
Salutatorian Ella Kroll
Ella Kroll is the middle child of Troy and Becca Kroll. She has one older brother, Carson, who has already graduated, and a younger sister, Chloe, who still attends the Mineral Point Unified School District. Ella was born in Dodgeville in 2007 and has grown up living outside of Mineral Point her entire life where she enjoys country living.
Ella has been on Student Council all four years of high school and is a current member of the National Honor Society. She takes great pride in her schoolwork and was named Freshman Student of the Year. Her hard work in the classroom has been reflected by being named to the High Honor Roll every semester she has been in high school so far. She has been involved with extracurriculars like Skills USA, Key Club, Future Business Leaders of America, and Blue Crew at some point in her high school career. Ella was privileged to be named Mineral Point’s Prom Queen last spring and a Queen Candidate for last fall’s Homecoming festivities. She is grateful for the opportunities this school district has provided and the community she lives in.
Sports have been a part of Ella’s life since she was little. She’s a three-sport athlete playing volleyball, basketball, and softball. She has received the Academic All-State Award in every varsity season she has participated in. She was a member of the Girls Basketball State Championship team in 2022, which is still one of her favorite memories she has of high school, as well as being a member of the first-ever Mineral Point State qualifying Volleyball team this past fall. In addition, Ella has played club softball with Southwest Storm since she was 10 and just finished up her last summer with a fun and successful team. She was named a Captain during this past softball season and for the current basketball season. Her leadership development was greatly influenced by those who came before her and she is thankful for the relationships that sports brought her.
Outside of school and sports, Ella has been employed at Lands’ End for the past two summers, as well as cleaning a local Airbnb and babysitting for several families. She enjoys spending free time with her family and friends.
After high school, Ella hopes to continue her education at Viterbo University in the Nursing program for her undergrad. In the long run, she hopes to attend graduate school to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. She is excited to explore the opportunities that college offers.
Ella would like to thank her teachers for pushing her to be the best version of herself. She especially wants to thank Mrs. Erika Brunson for all her guidance this past year, Mrs. Kristin Staver for her continued support, and Mr. Tom Steger for sparking her interest in human biology. Lastly, Ella would like to thank her parents, grandparents, family, and friends for helping her be the person she is today.
Salutatorian Jadyn Swinehart
Jadyn Swinehart is the daughter of Daniel and Tonia Swinehart. She has a younger brother named Logan, a Freshman at Mineral Point High School. Jadyn has lived in Mineral Point since she was born in 2006 and has attended Mineral Point Schools since Pre-K.
Jadyn is involved in many college classes including CAPP, Advanced Placement, and Southwest Technical College. She is also involved in many extracurriculars within the school. Her extracurricular activities involve Forensics, Band, Jazz Band, Key Club, FFA, National Honor Society, 4-H, and Iowa County 4-H Ambassador’s Program. Leadership positions she has include section leader of the percussion section in band and Vice President in Pleasant View 4-H. She is also involved in a number of athletics including cross country, travel softball, and she is planning on going out for track in the spring.
Jadyn is also very involved in community service experiences as she participates in Santa Cop every year, which is run by the Iowa County Sheriff’s Department. In this event, she holiday shops and wraps gifts for children of low-income families. Jadyn additionally was previously a Junior Hunter Safety Instructor and is on track to becoming certified as an official instructor. Jadyn also currently balances her job with all of her extracurriculars as she works at Lands’ End as a trimmer in embroidery. Balancing all these activities sure is not easy, but she gets them done.
When Jadyn is not participating in her extracurriculars, she likes to hunt deer, turkeys, and waterfowl. She also likes to hang out with friends doing various outdoor activities and even ice skate in the wintertime. Listening to music is also a fun pastime for Jadyn.
After high school, Jadyn plans on attending the University of Wisconsin-Stout to further her education in biology. She also is going to be playing softball as a left-handed pitcher and outfielder.
Jadyn would like to thank her friends and family for everything they have done to help her succeed. Jadyn would also like to thank all of the staff members in the Mineral Point School District for turning her into the young woman she is today. She would especially like to thank Mr. Tom Steger for fostering her interest in the biology world. She would also like to thank Mr. Matt Nevers for making her into the leader she is and noticing her outgoing personality. Finally, Jadyn would like to thank her parents for always supporting her through both her academic and athletic journeys.
(Goninen photo by Madisyn Photo+Video; Thousand photo by ann gorgen photography; Kroll photo by Shannon Marie Photography; Swinehart photo by Camae Blackburn)