The Mineral Point Kiwanis Club honored its March Students of the Month at its meeting Tuesday, March 3.
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.
Ryan Schael
Ryan was born in Atlanta, Georgia where he spent the first 15 years of his life. During that time, he attended Cogburn Woods Elementary School, Hopewell Middle School, and completed his Freshman year of high school. Ryan is the youngest of two children and is incredibly proud of his older sister, Melanie, who is currently a Junior at Miami University, majoring in Biology (Pre-Med) and performing on the university’s synchronized skating team.
Ryan moved to Mineral Point during his Sophomore year, and since then, he has become a valued and active member of the community. Throughout high school, he participated in percussion in band, joined the football team in the fall, and competed with the wrestling team in the winter. This year, as a Senior, Ryan began an internship at Upland Hills Health in Dodgeville, gaining handson experience and building important life and work skills.
Outside of school, Ryan enjoys many hobbies. He loves playing Fortnite, shooting basketballs, throwing the football, and listening to country music. He is known for his hard work, determination, positive attitude, and the joyful energy he brings to everyone around him. Ryan has faced challenges with courage and has proven time and time again that his enthusiasm, resilience, and big heart make him “extra” in all the best ways – extra hardworking, extra social, and extra joyful.
Ryan is applying to Kennesaw University and Gwinnett Technical College in Georgia this month and is proud of his journey and excited for the future ahead.
Ryan would like to congratulate Ella Wilson on being named March Student of the Month, thank Kiwanis for making this possible, and would like to take this moment to express his gratitude to the people who have supported him. He thanks Mrs. Callie Gundlach, Mrs. Morgan Burris, Mr. Terry Cool, Mr. Matt Nevers, and every teacher since his Sophomore year for believing in him and using his strength to help him grow. He also extends special thanks to Coach Justin Leonard and Coach Curtis Fiedler for welcoming him to their teams and giving him the opportunity to be part of the Pointer athletic family. Also, thanks to Mrs. Angela Klein for opening all the best possibilities. Finally, Ryan is grateful to the Pointer parents, friends, classmates, teachers, and administrators for embracing him, supporting him, and making him feel like he has been a Pointer since the 1st Grade.
Ella Wilson
Ella Wilson is the youngest daughter of Carrie Wilson and Greg Wilson. She was born in Mineral Point in 2007. Ella has three older sisters, all of whom have graduated from Mineral Point High School. Stephanie, the eldest, is 26 and has graduated from Southwest Technical College with a degree in graphic design. Stephanie is married to Vincent Gagliono; they have one daughter, Fiona, and are expecting another child. Rita is the second oldest. She graduated from Michigan Technical College and is now pursuing her master’s in physics at the University of Toronto. Hope is the secondyoungest; she attends Michigan Tech College, where she studies biology.
Ella has been a Pointer since 1st Grade, when she switched from being homeschooled to public school. During her time at Mineral Point High School, Ella has been an active participant in several groups. Ella is Captain of the Girls’ Soccer team, a member of the Wrestling team, and President of the Art Club. She has also been a member of the musical’s costume crew for the past four years, has participated in the play, and has played bassoon and bass drum in the band. Ella has challenged herself this year by taking multiple college-level classes, including CAPP Music and Culture, CAPP Writing 101, and CAPP Creative Writing.
Outside of school, Ella enjoys working at the vet clinic with her dad, working at Lands’ End, working concessions at basketball games, hanging out with her favorite niece, and spending time with her friends and family. Some of Ella’s hobbies include art, baking, and decorating cakes.
After high school, Ella plans to attend college for industrial design.
Ella would like to congratulate her classmate, Ryan Schael, on being named March Student of the Month. She would like to thank her teachers: Mrs. Rachael Schroeder, Mr. Matt Nevers, and Mr. Mike Hadfield for always supporting her and pushing her to improve and become her best self. She would also like to thank Kiwanis for organizing this lunch. Last but certainly not least, Ella would like to thank her parents, grandparents, friends, and siblings for helping her become the person she is today.