The Mineral Point Kiwanis Club honored its October Students of the Month at its meeting Tuesday, October 6.
The students, who are members of the Senior class, are selected for this honor through a voting process by teachers at the high school, and their biographies are written by themselves.
Faye Schuette
Faye Schuette is the youngest child of Craig and Paula Schuette. She has one older sister, Regan, who is a junior at UW-La Crosse.
Faye grew up outside of town and has attended Mineral Point Schools since preschool. She is the Key Club President and FFA Sentinel. In FFA, Faye competes in Livestock Evaluation, where she is on a state champion and national qualifying team. She also participates in Math Team, band, musical theatre, National Honor Society, cross country, and track, and she served in student government all four years. Faye is also a proud recipient of the Student of the Year award as a Sophomore.
Running plays a significant role in Faye’s life. She has been lucky to have had such great mentors and teammates who have taught her so much throughout her years running. Faye draws on all her experiences to lead her teammates, even when she isn’t competing at the varsity level.
Faye also participates in various church events. She attends a week-long, local mission trip every summer, where she does service projects for community members. Faye is also on the Frassati Fest Teen Leadership Team, which is a high school planning committee for a weekend retreat in the Diocese of Madison. She hopes to grow from these experiences into a model of joy for others, helping them grow in their faith.
In her free time, Faye enjoys reading, doing puzzles, and hiking. After high school, Faye plans to attend a four-year university to major in Theology and Philosophy. Faye would like to congratulate her longtime friend, Roni, for being named the Kiwanis October Student of the Month. She is very dedicated to everything she does and so deserving of this award. Faye would also like to thank the Kiwanis for this honor, and her teachers, classmates, and family, who all helped her to achieve this award!
“Faye Schuette is one of the best students a teacher could wish for. She is quiet, polite, competent, and participative. She is consistently an academic leader and maintains her calm demeanor in the face of challenges,” Dr. Andrea Cool, High School English Teacher
“Faye Schuette entered Kindergarten quiet and shy. Following in her sister’s footsteps, she was artistic and a serious student. Faye was always, and continues to be, a kind soul with a quiet demeanor. I have enjoyed watching Faye as she has grown into the lovely young woman she is today! Wherever she goes, we know she’s sure to be ‘running’ ahead of the crowd and excelling in all she does. Congratulations, Faye, on becoming Student of the Month for October! Have a great Senior year and best wishes in the future!” ~ Mrs. Jill McGuire, Kindergarten Teacher
“Faye, your kindness and strong character shine through in everything you do. It has been a true joy watching you grow and seeing the positive impact you have on those around you. Congratulations on being named Student of the Month! Wishing you all the best in your future.” ~ Mrs. Amanda Ingwell, 4K/Early Childhood Teacher
“I have had the pleasure of witnessing Faye Schuette’s dedication to the High School Musical Theatre Club over the last four years. Faye’s work ethic, focus on details, and quiet leadership style have always shone through. For her role as Special Effects Crew in ‘Into the Woods,’ Faye earned the award of Backlighting Champion; for her role as Backstage Crew in ‘Big Fish,’ she earned the award of Backstage Boss; and for her role as Sound Board Operator in ‘Seussical,’ she earned the award of ‘Sound of Seuss – You mixed, you cued, you mic’d just right, Without your magic, we’d lose the night!’ I cannot wait to have her complete her high school career as the Sound Board Operator for our upcoming show, ‘The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical,’ and see her train her successor in the position! Faye’s self-motivation, responsibility, professionalism, and consideration of others have always served as models for her peers. Her multifaceted talents, disposition, and team-mentality will be deeply missed throughout the music department, and will surely take her far in future endeavors!” ~ Mrs. Ashley Calderon-McHugh, Middle/High School Choir Teacher
“Faye is a quietly dedicated student who consistently makes a meaningful impact without seeking recognition. Whenever there is a task to be done, she is quick to roll up her sleeves and get to work without hesitation or complaint. Her warm kindness, engagement with peers, and work ethic make her a truly deserving choice for Student of the Month.” ~ Mr. Ryne Ponsler, High School Spanish Teacher
“Quiet determination does not seek attention; it allows consistent actions to speak for themselves. Faye Schuette embodies this quality through her steady commitment to learning, serving others, and making a positive difference. She willingly gives her time and talents to help those around her and embraces opportunities to mentor and encourage others. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Faye in the classroom and through Pointer Council. She has always been a standout individual because of her dependable, thoughtful, and creative nature. I am sure her future is filled with big things that will be very exciting to watch unfold!” ~ Mrs. Kristin Staver, High School Media Teacher
“Congratulations on being selected Kiwanis Student of the Month. It is a great honor and you should feel proud of your accomplishments. It has been a pleasure to be your teacher, FFA Advisor, and coach over the past several years. I have gotten to see your confidence grow from the young middle school cross country runner who was quiet, to now a leader of your school and community. I was there to encourage you in FFA and I am so proud to see you reach your goal of becoming a state champion FFA livestock judging team and national qualifier. You have shown your leadership by serving as an FFA officer, organizing FFA speaking contests and many FFA events. Your leadership has shown also in the Key Club as you have spent many hours helping to organize the Community Service Day for our school. You have a willingness to help others that most at your age do not. Faye, your kindness, respect, dedication, faith, and hard work that you have displayed in high school will help you to be successful in your future. Keep up the good work. I know you will succeed in whatever is next in life. Congratulations.” ~ Mr. Mike Robinson, Middle/High School Agriculture Teacher
“Congratulations on being named Student of the Month! You don’t make a loud noise about your success, but your hard work and quiet determination speak volumes. It’s been an absolute privilege getting to know you more deeply this year as you look ahead to college. I have no doubt you are going to do amazing things. Keep trusting your faith, and remember we’re always in your corner!” ~ Mrs. Erika Brunson, Middle/High School Counselor
“Faye is a talented French horn player who serves as a strong, reliable leader in her section. Her work ethic is remarkable. She is exceptionally studious, highly focused, and dedicated to mastering her music and all her other classes. Faye initially started her band journey on trumpet, but chose to play French horn when we needed some extra players. She still volunteers to play trumpet in the jazz band every Tuesday at 7:00 am! Faye is also our remarkable sound engineer for the school musicals. Everything you hear at the performances is because of her expertise in sound mixing. Beyond her musical abilities, Faye’s pleasant demeanor and genuine kindness make her a joy to teach. She constantly looks for ways to support and encourage her fellow band members, creating a positive environment for everyone around her. Congratulations, Faye!” ~ Mr. Matt Nevers, Middle/High School Band Teacher
“Faye has been an essential member of our cross country programs and our track and field program for the past four years. Unfortunately, some health issues have prevented her from reaching her true potential. But even though it was a struggle, she came to practice and did the workouts and ran most of the races knowing she wasn’t 100%. She is a dedicated and motivated athlete who found a way to be productive and contribute to our programs. We owe her a debt of thanks.” ~ Mr. Joe Hanson, Dodge-Point Cross Country and Track & Field Coach
Ronica Thousand
Ronica Thousand is the middle child of Michael and Stacey Thousand. She was born in 2009 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; Lila, who is studying neuroscience at the University of Minnesota; and Collins, who is in 8th Grade at Mineral Point.
Ronica has been a student at Mineral Point her entire life. During her time in high school, she has been involved in numerous extracurricular activities. She is the Student Body President of Mineral Point High School, serves as the President of the National Honor Society and Spanish Club, the Executive Producer of Pointer Media, the Vice President of Future Business Leaders of America, and is Captain of the Mineral Point Forensics team. She is also involved in Key Club and Skills USA.
One of the main parts of Ronica’s high school experience has been Media. Since her Sophomore year, Roni has been a dedicated member of the Pointer Media club. During the summer following her Sophomore year, she attended the North Carolina Scholastic Media Association Camp at the University of North Carolina, where she received an excellence award in writing. At the beginning of her Junior year, she took over as Executive Producer of the media program, and during the summer leading up to her Senior year, she attended the highly competitive Chuck Stone Media Program at UNC.
Outside of school and extracurriculars, Ronica is employed by the Dodgeville Chronicle as a sports journalist. In her free time, Roni enjoys hanging with friends and family. She especially loves the Brewers and playing sand volleyball. After high school, Ronica hopes to attend a four-year university to major in Multimedia Journalism and either double major or minor in Sports Media and Analytics. After college, she hopes to become a Sports Information Director for a college sports program.
Ronica would like to thank Kiwanis for this honor and congratulate her longtime friend, Faye Schuette, on also receiving the October Student of the Month honor. She would also like to thank all the teachers and staff at Mineral Point High School for their help and for making her high school experience memorable. She especially wants to thank Mrs. Erika Brunson for all her guidance this past year, Mrs. Kristin Staver, Mrs. Valerie Martin, and Mr. Matt Austin for their continued support. Finally, she would like to thank her family and friends for always being there and supporting her no matter what.
“Her smile, her personality, her work ethic (all be it with the occasional whine) is something that is a joy to have in the halls of the school. She is working diligently behind the scenes for every sporting event, every MPTV production, while being a student who is a joy to have in the classroom is something that will be sorely missed next year. She does so much work that she may think goes unnoticed, but a lot of things that she does raises the experience of going to Mineral Point for all. That drive she has will do her well in life after school and we are all excited to see what is next for her,” Mr. Curtis Fiedler, Head Boys Wrestling Coach
“Ronica is a true delight in class. She has a big personality that sparkles wherever she goes, which brings great energy to wherever she is,” Dr. Andrea Cool, High School English Teacher
“It has been a joy watching Ronica Thousand as she conquers the many challenges of high school. I notice how people depend on her. She exemplifies knowledge and perseverance in the media area. She always seems to be right in the thick of things when a game needs to be announced, someone needs an emcee, or any other public speaking type arrangements. Ronica, I hope you have a great Senior year! Keep that beautiful smile and finish strong! Congratulations on becoming one of October’s Students of the Month! Best wishes next year! I know you’ll do great things!” ~ Mrs. Jill McGuire, Kindergarten Teacher
“Ron, thank you for all your help with media—you do an amazing job! It has been wonderful watching you grow alongside your classmates. You bring so much fun and positive energy to the group. Congratulations on being named Student of the Month and good luck in your future.” ~ Mrs. Amanda Ingwell, 4K/Early Childhood Teacher
“Roni is one of those students who makes teaching so much more enjoyable. She has such a vivacious, bubbly personality and has a way of making everyone around her feel happier. She is incredibly smart, organized, and always wants everything planned and done just right. I am especially thankful for the leadership she brings to FBLA as our Vice President. She is always willing to help, takes great pride in what she does, and can always be counted on. Ronica is truly a student who will leave a lasting impression on my heart, and I feel very lucky to have had her in my classroom and on our FBLA team! Congrats, Ronica Tonica Monica – so proud of you!” ~ Mrs. Valerie Martin, Middle/High School Business Teacher
“Roni, congratulations on Student of the Month! Seeing you each day is always a highlight for me. I’m so grateful for the trust you’ve placed in me and for the privilege of knowing your journey—it truly means more than you know. You bring so much energy to our school with your humor, warmth, and incredible resilience, and it’s no wonder your peers look up to you as a leader. You have such a huge heart for making things better and helping others, but please don’t forget to give yourself credit and take a well-deserved break once in a while!” ~ Mrs. Erika Brunson, Middle/High School Counselor
“Ronica brings a vibrant presence to our school community every day. She is always eager to take on new challenges and jumps into every opportunity with enthusiasm. Through her work with school media, she helps create fun and creative projects that make campus a more engaging place for everyone. On top of her drive, her big personality and keen sense of humor mean she’s always ready with a witty observation to brighten the room. Her determination, creativity, and lively spirit make her a well-deserved Student of the Month.” ~ Mr. Ryne Ponsler, High School Spanish Teacher
“Thinking back on your time in 5th Grade just brings a smile to my face. You were filled with so much energy and spunk! From sharing answers on your first science quiz, to confidently running the sewing machine and making your very first pillow, you were never afraid to take chances, make mistakes, learn, and move forward. Those qualities have continued to shine through as you’ve grown. I’ve had the opportunity to watch how you’ve learned to use your energy and confidence through your involvement in sports and clubs and it is a wonderful testament to your strong work ethic and enthusiasm. Congratulations on being named Student of the Month, Ronica! I am proud of you, and I can’t wait to see all the wonderful things you accomplish next. Keep smiling!” With pride, Mrs. Laurie Heimsoth, 5th Grade Teacher
“Never settle for good enough when excellence is within reach.’ Ronica Thousand lives by this mindset, bringing an unmistakable competitive drive and dedication to excellence to everything she pursues. She continually seeks new challenges that push her beyond what is comfortable and allow her to grow, learn, and achieve at a higher level. Just as impressive as her determination is her inclusive nature; Ronica welcomes and values everyone, making those around her feel seen, respected, and appreciated. Her warmth, confidence, and enthusiasm light up every room she enters, while her ambition and positive spirit inspire others to raise their own expectations and strive for their very best. I have been truly blessed with Ronica’s involvement in Pointer Media, forensics, Pointer Council, and HalfX Entertainment. Her passion and dedication to keep striving to be better are unmatched. Honestly, I have come to terms with the fact that I am working for her! She makes me a better person each day. I try to avoid thinking about life without Roni next year, but I am comforted by knowing that she is unstoppable and will be doing amazing things that will make me so proud to have been a small part of her beginning.” ~ Mrs. Kristin Staver, High School Media Teacher
(Schuette photo by Addie Ryser; Thousand photo by Madisyn Heim)