The Mineral Point Kiwanis Club honored its October Students of the Month at its meeting Tuesday, October 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.
Grady Finley
Grady Finley is the youngest child of Mark and Andrea Finley. He has one older sister, Natalie, who graduated from the Mineral Point Unified School District in 2021 and is currently a Senior at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Grady was born in Madison in 2008 and has lived in Mineral Point his entire life.
Grady has been a student of the Mineral Point Unified School District for his entire life. He has been on Student Council since his Sophomore year and is a current member of the National Honor Society. Grady values the effort he puts into his schoolwork, as he was named Freshman Student of the Year and has been named to the High Honor Roll every semester of his high school career. He has been named Biology Student of the Year, Biology 2 Student of the Year, and Chemistry Student of the Year. During his high school years, he has taken part in extracurricular activities such as Future Business Leaders of America and Sources of Strength. Grady was privileged to be named Mineral Point’s Prom King last spring, and he was also named Homecoming King for this year’s festivities.
Sports have been an essential part of Grady’s life since he was a kid. He’s a three-sport athlete playing football, basketball, and baseball. In his high school career, Grady has been a three-year letter winner for the baseball team, including two First Team All-Conference selections in his Sophomore and Junior years. His Junior year, he was also named a captain of the baseball team, where he was honored with Academic All-District, Academic All-State, and many Mineral Point team awards. In basketball, Grady was a letter winner his Junior year and was named Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Academic All-State as the team was Conference Champions, Regional Champions, Sectional Champions, and State Qualifiers. For football, he has been a two-year letter winner coming into his Senior year, where he was named a team captain. He is extremely grateful for the relationships that sports has brought him, and his leadership positions have allowed him to become a better version of himself.
Outside of school and sports, Grady has been employed at Lands’ End and Farmers Savings Bank over the past two summers. He enjoys working out, golfing, and hanging out with friends and family in his free time.
After high school, Grady hopes to continue his education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and pursue a pharmacy degree. He is excited for the opportunities and relationships that college will bring.
Grady would like to congratulate his longtime friend, classmate, and teammate Hudson on being named October Student of the Month; he is honored to share this experience with him. He would like to thank his teachers and coaches for challenging him and bringing out the best in him. He would like to thank Mrs. Erika Brunson in particular for making many opportunities available to him throughout his high school career and Mr. Tom Steger for furthering his love of studying human biology. He would like to thank Kiwanis for organizing this luncheon. Finally, Grady would like to thank his parents, grandparents, family, and friends for their continued support.
“Grady Finley is a super friendly, kind kid with lots of great qualities! Ever since meeting Grady in Kindergarten, he has blossomed from a shy young boy to a confident young man. When I think of Grady today, I always think of his wonderful smile and friendly attitude. Grady, your future is bright with all you have to offer the world! Congratulations on being Student of the Month and best wishes as you select your future goals!” ~ Mrs. Jill McGuire, Kindergarten Teacher
“Grady is most definitely deserving of this honor. He is an outstanding student who consistently demonstrates academic excellence, kindness, and respect. He always has a positive attitude, works hard to do his best, and treats everyone around him with genuine care and respect. His dedication and character make him a wonderful role model for others.” ~ Mrs. Valerie Martin, Middle/High School Business Teacher
“Congratulations on your hard work, Grady! Your exceptional ability to focus amidst distractions allows you to make the most of every educational opportunity. This remarkable quality not only sets you apart academically but also inspires your peers to commit to their own goals. Your dedication to excellence is evident in athletics as well, where you consistently raise the bar and motivate both teammates and younger players to become their best selves. Well done on this amazing achievement!” ~ Mrs. Michelle Rielly, Middle School English Teacher
“Grady is an outstanding leader by example in the classroom for other students, on the field for other athletes, and in the community for all ages. He strives to do his best in all aspects of life, while quietly modeling for others the importance of being a quality human being.” ~ Mrs. Rachael Schroeder, Reading Specialist and Interventionist
“Grady, you are a genuine person who consistently leads by example. Your work ethic, determination, and ability to outwork those around you sets a standard for others to follow. You excel in everything you pursue and serve as a strong role model for your peers and underclassmen. Thank you for the positive impact you make on Mineral Point and for showing others what it means to lead with integrity and commitment. Congratulations on your selection as the Student of the Month for October.” ~ Mr. Matt Austin, High School Principal
“‘Observation brings wisdom.’ This quote perfectly embodies Grady Finley, whose keen eye for detail and thoughtful awareness set him apart from the crowd. Grady’s ability to notice the little things in his work, interactions, or surroundings reflects his maturity and genuine care for others. His kind nature and calm, composed demeanor make him someone others naturally respect and trust. A quality that will continue to open doors for you, Grady, is that you are the first in the crowd to volunteer, and you always do it with a smile! You will do great things in the future; I am so thankful to have played a small role in your journey.” ~ Mrs. Kristin Staver, High School Media Teacher
“It’s hard to believe that just a few short years ago, you were walking through the elementary doors for your first day of preschool — and now, you’re only months away from graduating high school. From the classroom to the field and gym, and throughout the community, you’ve grown into a remarkable leader. Your future is bright, and I hope you continue to share your positivity and kindness with everyone around you. I can’t wait to see all the amazing things that come next!” ~ Mrs. Morgan Burris, District Special Education Teacher
“Grady is a strong, independent learner who approaches every challenge with humility and kindness. He has already completed numerous college courses while in high school, setting himself up for a strong start toward a future career in health services. Grady leads by example, in the classroom, in extracurriculars, and in his daily interactions. He can always be counted on to do the right thing and demonstrates great integrity in all he does. Congratulations, Grady, and best wishes for an amazing senior year!” ~ Mrs. Erika Brunson, Middle/High School Counselor
Hudson Schroeder
Hudson Schroeder is the eldest child of Lee and Rachael Schroeder. He has a twin brother, Carson, who is currently a Senior at Mineral Point High School. Born in Dubuque in 2008, Hudson has lived just outside of Mineral Point for his entire life.
Hudson has attended Mineral Point High School throughout his academic career, consistently prioritizing his studies. He has earned placement on the High Honor Roll or Honor Roll every semester. Currently, Hudson serves as the Financial Director for the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), where he takes pride in supporting and guiding members toward success. Through his involvement in FBLA, he has qualified for and participated in the State Leadership Conference three times.
Outside of academics, sports have played a significant role in Hudson’s life. He is a three-sport athlete, competing in football, basketball, and baseball throughout all four years of high school, earning varsity letters twice in each sport. Through the success of Mineral Point athletics, Hudson has developed strong values of hard work, discipline, problem-solving, leadership, and teamwork. These qualities have guided him both in school and in life. In basketball, he was recognized as a Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Academic All-State honoree, contributing to a team that earned Conference, Regional, and Sectional Championships. His dedication and commitment to baseball have also earned him the opportunity to continue playing at the college level. Hudson is deeply grateful for the opportunities sports have provided, including the lasting friendships he has built with teammates and coaches, as well as the valuable lessons he has learned along the way.
Outside of school and sports, Hudson has gained valuable work experience at Lands’ End, as well as through farm work, and in construction renovation projects over the past few summers. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with friends and family, participating in outdoor recreational activities, and playing with his dogs.
After graduating, Hudson plans to attend college to pursue a degree in business. He is eager to continue his education and looks forward to the new opportunities and experiences that college will bring.
Hudson is thankful for the constant support of his family, friends, teachers, and the Mineral Point community. He gives special thanks to his parents for always being there, motivating him to do his best, and supporting him in academics, athletics, and all of his activities. Hudson also very appreciates his brother, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins for their continued love and support. He would like to thank Mrs. Erika Brunson for providing countless opportunities for him and other students, as well as for her ongoing support. Hudson also thanks Mrs. Valerie Martin for inspiring his passion for business and for always being there for him. Lastly, he extends his gratitude to all the teachers and staff members who have guided him throughout his school years and helped make Mineral Point a truly special place to be a part of.
Hudson would like to congratulate his lifelong teammate and friend, Grady Finley, on being named October Student of the Month and this year’s Homecoming King. Grady is an exceptionally hard-working, kind, and natural leader. Hudson wishes him the best of luck throughout the rest of his Senior year and in all his future endeavors. Finally, Hudson sincerely thanks Kiwanis for this recognition and for organizing and providing this luncheon.
“Our school family was so excited when Hudson and his brother were born! It was so special when our teammate had twins! From little on, we were all happy they selected Mineral Point Schools to be their place to grow and change. Hudson has always been very giving, volunteering in different capacities and showing his dedication and hard work. These many qualities shine through in his academics and sporting activities. Hudson, congratulations on becoming October’s Student of the Month and best wishes as you finish up your Senior year!” ~ Mrs. Jill McGuire, Kindergarten Teacher
“Hudson, congratulations on your selection as the Student of the Month for October. Your hard work and dedication to excelling in both your courses and co-curricular activities does not go unnoticed. You always bring a smile and a positive attitude that promotes a welcoming and supportive school culture. Your leadership and commitment to being a role model make a lasting impact on your peers and our community.” ~ Mr. Matt Austin, High School Principal
“I’ve had the pleasure of being Hudson’s teacher and FBLA advisor, where he currently serves as an officer. From day one, Hudson has been one of those students who remind you why teaching is such a rewarding job. He’s dependable, hardworking, and genuinely one of the kindest people you’ll ever meet. What really stands out about Hudson is his character. He’s calm, positive, and always makes the people around him feel appreciated. He treats everyone with respect and carries himself with a quiet confidence that’s rare for someone his age. One of my favorite parts of the day is when Hudson pops into my room during my prep — sometimes just to say hi, other times to help organize things without even being asked. It’s such a small thing, but it says everything about who he is. Congrats on your nomination, Hud—you’ve totally earned it!” ~ Mrs. Valerie Martin, Middle/High School Business Teacher
“Both of these boys are genuinely just great young men. They are friendly, kind, and hardworking. They lead by example and do a very good job of it. Absolutely wonderful young men.” ~ Mr. Justin Leonard, High School Special Education Teacher and Head Football Coach
“Since I’ve had the pleasure of knowing him, Hudson has consistently showcased an extraordinary work ethic that sets him apart. His unwavering confidence in seeking clarification through questions has quickly established him as a leader in the classroom, always ready to tackle any challenge that comes his way. Beyond his academic achievements, Hudson also shines in athletics, where his calm demeanor on the football field, basketball court, and baseball diamond serves as an example for younger athletes striving to improve. Congratulations, Hudson! Your hard work and dedication have truly paid off.” ~ Mrs. Michelle Rielly, Middle School English Teacher
“‘Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another.’ This quote captures the spirit of Hudson Schroeder, whose steady determination and positive attitude make him the successful young man he is. Hudson approaches every task with focus and engagement, always willing to give his best effort, no matter the challenge. His polite and kind nature makes him a joy to work with, and his readiness to lend a hand shows his genuine care for others. Whether in the classroom or beyond, Hudson’s perseverance and helpful spirit remind everyone that true success comes from consistency, kindness, and heart. The future holds great things for you, Sweet Boy!” ~ Mrs. Kristin Staver, High School Media Teacher
“I have been lucky enough to coach Grady and Hudson the last four years in baseball because both of them refuse to listen to me and go out for wrestling. Both are kind and outgoing young men that I have enjoyed working with over the years and I am excited to not only see what they do in their final year in school, but what they do after high school. I have been very lucky to be able to participate in a small part of their lives and I will miss being able to have conversations with them once they move on to bigger and better things in their lives.” ~ Mr. Curtis Fiedler, Middle School Special Education Teacher and Assistant Baseball Coach
“Congratulations to Hudson Schroeder, our October Student of the Month! Hudson plans to study finance and accounting after high school, a perfect fit given his leadership in FBLA and success in numerous college courses. He consistently sets high goals for himself and leads by example, showing maturity and dedication in all he does. Beyond his academic drive, Hudson stands out for his kindness, compassion, and integrity. A true ‘nice guy,’ he is resourceful, hardworking, and always willing to help others. We’ll miss his positivity and leadership and wish him all the best as he continues to excel in college and beyond.” ~ Mrs. Erika Brunson, Middle/High School Counselor
(Finley photo by Ann Gorgen; Schroeder photo by Tanya Schwendinger)